The Civic Employees' Group Life Insurance Plan
Employees of the City of Winnipeg and seven other Participating Employers join the City of Winnipeg—Civic Employees’ Group Life Insurance Plan (the Plan) at the same time they are enrolled in The Winnipeg Civic Employees’ Benefits Program.
The Plan is governed by the Board of Directors of The Civic and Police Employees' Group Life Insurance Plans Corporation in accordance with City of Winnipeg By-Law No. 80/2015. The Canada Life Assurance Company (formerly The Great-West Life Assurance Company) is responsible for claims adjudication and processing of payments. Staff of The Winnipeg Civic Employees' Benefits Program perform the day-to-day administration of the Plans, excluding investments.
If you are an active employee, the benefit payable is based on your annual earnings and the amount of coverage you choose, and will be calculated using your Average Bi-Weekly Earnings from the 13 pay periods immediately prior to your date of death (26 pay periods for seasonal, casual, part-time or job share employees). You may choose to remain a member of the Plan into retirement—coverage after retirement is detailed below.
In the event of your death, your Group Life Insurance benefit will be paid in a lump sum to your designated beneficiary(ies). If you have not designated a beneficiary, your benefit will be payable to your estate.
Most amounts received from a life insurance policy following someone’s death are not taxed. More information is available from Canada Revenue Agency.
Two-Times Coverage—You will automatically be insured for two times your annual earnings at the time of your enrolment in the Plan.
Decreasing to One-Times Coverage—You may decrease to one times coverage at any time by making a written request to The Winnipeg Civic Employees’ Benefits Program. You may later apply to increase your insurance; however, medical evidence of insurability satisfactory to Canada Life (formerly Great-West Life) will be required.
Increasing to Three- or Four-Times Coverage—In addition to basic two-times coverage, you may choose to buy optional coverage. You may apply for optional coverage at any time by contacting The Winnipeg Civic Employees’ Benefits Program. A medical questionnaire must accompany all applications for optional additional insurance and evidence of insurability satisfactory to Canada Life (formerly Great-West Life) will be required.
For employees who carry the standard amount of basic life insurance equal to two times annual earnings, the contribution rate is 0.14% of biweekly earnings. For employees who have opted to reduce basic life insurance to one times annual earnings, the contribution rate is 0.07% of biweekly earnings.
Optional additional insurance rates are shown, as a percentage of your biweekly earnings, in the table below. The cost for optional coverage is based on your age and whether or not you are a smoker. This premium is paid in addition to the premiums required to carry your basic life insurance coverage. If you were formerly a smoker but you have not smoked cigarettes within the past 12 months, you may apply for non-smoker rates by completing a Non-Smoker Declaration.
Optional Coverage Rate Table
| |
Additional 1x Annual
Earnings for a total of 3x |
Additional 2x Annual
Earnings for a total of 4x |
| Age |
Non-Smoker |
Smoker |
Non-Smoker |
Smoker |
| Under 30 |
0.03% |
0.06% |
0.06% |
0.12% |
| 30-34 |
0.03% |
0.06% |
0.06% |
0.12% |
| 35-39 |
0.04% |
0.08% |
0.08% |
0.16% |
| 40-44 |
0.05% |
0.10% |
0.10% |
0.20% |
| 45-49 |
0.08% |
0.16% |
0.16% |
0.32% |
| 50-54 |
0.14% |
0.28% |
0.28% |
0.56% |
| 55-59 |
0.24% |
0.48% |
0.48% |
0.96% |
| 60-64 |
0.35% |
0.70% |
0.70% |
1.40% |
| 65-70 |
0.64% |
1.28% |
1.28% |
2.56% |
The rates for basic coverage are currently being subsidized by use of surplus under the Plan. Rates are reviewed regularly by the Plan’s Actuary and are subject to change.
Naming a beneficiary helps to ensure your benefits are paid as you wish when you die. It can also save your heirs time and money.
You may designate any person or an organization (such as a charity) to be your beneficiary by completing a Beneficiary Designation form. IMPORTANT: This form must be SIGNED IN INK and witnessed for it to be valid. The original signed copy of the form must be submitted by mail or delivered in person to The Winnipeg Civic Employees' Benefits Program. Copies sent by fax or e-mail will not be accepted.
You may change your beneficiary at any time, subject to the laws governing such matters.
To verify what beneficiary information we currently have on file, contact The Winnipeg Civic Employees’ Benefits Program.
Insurance coverage terminates on the last day of the pay period for which you have contributed to the Plan.
If you terminate employment, you may convert your group insurance to a private insurance policy with The Canada Life Assurance Company (formerly Great-West Life), without a medical, provided you do so within 31 days of the termination of your coverage.
Coverage While on Leave
You may continue your Group Life Insurance coverage when on approved leave of absence. The Winnipeg Civic Employees’ Benefits Program will notify you of the cost and you must elect to continue your coverage within 31 days from the commencement of your leave.
If you are in receipt of disability benefits, your coverage will continue at the same multiple of earnings as was in effect immediately prior to your Date of Disability and your premiums will be waived. If you subsequently choose to increase your coverage, you will be required to pay the additional cost. If you are working while in receipt of benefits, you will only pay premiums on your employment earnings.
If you are terminally ill with a life expectancy of 12 months or less, you may apply to receive an advance payment of 50% of the basic life insurance, to a maximum of $50,000. The amount of any advance payment, plus interest, is offset against the amount ultimately payable on death.
Your membership in the Plan continues into retirement, at a reduced amount, unless you elect not to participate in the Plan.
Coverage after retirement reduces to a percentage of the basic coverage amount (one- or two-times coverage) in effect at retirement. The percentage used is based on your age, as follows:
Before age 65 = 50% of basic
Age 65-69 = 25% of basic
Age 70+ = 15% of basic
Retired members who continue to participate in the Plan will continue to contribute to the Plan. Retired members’ contributions are calculated based on their coverage in effect during retirement. The contribution rate (annual) for retired members is 0.07%. This rate is reviewed regularly by the Plan's Actuary and is subject to change.
Should you wish, you may convert the difference between your pre-retirement group life insurance benefits and the reduced coverage to which you are entitled to an individual life insurance policy (to a maximum of $200,000), without a medical examination. If you are interested in the conversion option, you must apply within 31 days of your retirement. If you require assistance or information concerning this, you can contact the Canada Life Assurance Company (formerly Great West Life Assurance Company) Resource Centre at 204-946-8100, or any other Canada Life (formerly Great West Life) agent of your choice.