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Retiring? What about your benefits?


Due to the pandemic, some in the education community have delayed their retirement decision, whereas others are retiring early.

Whether you are retiring this summer or looking ahead, here’s what you need to do to wrap up your benefits coverage before you retire.

Once you have determined your retirement date, your employer will provide OTIP with that information. This is the date your coverage under the Employee Life and Health Trust (ELHT) benefits plan will end.

(Are you a CUPE Education Workers' Benefits Trust (EWBT) member? Click here to get information specific to your plan.)

What you need to know

Your ELHT plan coverage ends

For ELHT plan members, coverage under your ELHT plan (health, dental, life and accidental death and dismemberment (AD&D)) ends effective 11:59 p.m. on your last day of work*.  

Examples:

  • If you retire on March 1, your coverage will end at 11:59 p.m. on March 1.

  • If you retire on June 30, your coverage will end at 11:59 p.m. on June 30.

*If you are a member covered under the EWAO, OCEW, or Unifor Benefits Plan, you have benefits up to and including the last day of the month that you retire. 

You can check your benefits booklet to find out when your coverage ends. 

No claims incurred after your last eligible day as a permanent employee will be paid after that date. If your benefits plan also covered any eligible dependants, their coverage will end on your retirement date as well.

TIP: Be sure to apply for health and/or dental insurance before your last day of work. This way you have insurance when your benefits under the ELHT plan end.

Submitting health and dental claims

For ELHT plan members, you will have 90 days from the date your coverage ends to access your OTIP secure member site and submit any health and dental claims incurred up to and including your last day of coverage.
 
NOTE: Any claims received after 90 days from the date your coverage ends will be declined.
 
In some cases, a provider may be able to submit a claim electronically.

Options to convert your group life insurance (if applicable)

You may be eligible to convert your group life insurance policy to an individual policy, up to a $200,000 maximum, with the current carrier (i.e. Manulife) without having to provide proof of good health or undergo a medical exam, provided you do so within 31 days of your coverage ending.
 
You can learn more about your options and/or convert your group life insurance policy to an individual policy by reviewing the Group Benefits Life Conversion Options form available at otip.com/forms (found under Life Insurance forms). If you are interested in converting your policy, please follow the steps outlined on our website under the Life Insurance Forms section.


Other things to consider in preparation for your retirement:

  • Need information about your pension (if applicable)? Please contact your pension plan organization (e.g. OTPP, OMERS).

  • Listen to a retirement planning webinar or podcast. Planning for retirement can seem daunting, so why not get advice from an expert? OTIP offers a free retirement webinar workshop. View the webinar schedule and register online. You can also listen to OTIP’s “Walk into retirement with a plan” podcast series. Episodes cover topics on retiree health insurance, travel insurance, lifestyle planning and home and auto insurance.
  • Consider when you’ll apply for Canada Pension Plan and Old Age Security

  • Research your insurance options. Research your options for health, dental, and travel insurance that will support your retirement needs.​

Did you know OTIP offers health, dental and travel insurance for retirees? Retired Teachers Insurance Plan (RTIP) allows 60 days from the last day of coverage under your ELHT plan to apply without proof of good health (evidence of insurability).

 

As your career comes to an end and a new phase of your life begins, you want to ensure that you’re prepared to make the most of the new opportunities and experiences that retirement brings.

Questions? We are here to help! You can contact OTIP Benefits Services at 1‑866‑783‑6847.

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