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Benefit rates change for the new fiscal year
The group benefits contracts that cover the University of Waterloo’s extended health, dental, long term disability benefits and life insurance are renewed May 1 of each year, and Human Resources has circulated its annual memo to employees informing them of that fact.
"The new rates are based on the University’s claims experience and expenses charged by our providers," says the note from Human Resources.
Extended Health and Dental Monthly Rates
Rates are 100 percent university-paid, and pro-rated if the employee is part-time:
| Single | Family | Rate change from 2017 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Extended Health | $61.28 | $195.56 | Decrease of 9.8 percent |
| Dental | $35.95 | $108.16 | Increase of 0.2 percent |
Long Term Disability Premium Rate
This premium is 100 percent employee-paid.
| Rate (excludes any applicable taxes) | Rate change from 2017 |
|---|---|
| 1.184 percent of earnings | Increase of 8.9 percent |
For a table that outlines sample salary ranges and monthly premiums, consult Human Resources' Benefits page for updated information.
Life Insurance Premium Rates
"For rate purposes, life insurance is divided into basic and optional life components," says HR's memo. "A single rate applies for basic life whereas optional life coverage rates are based on age, gender and smoking status. Rates for optional life remain unchanged, but the basic life rates will decrease by 10 percent effective May 1, 2018."
| Benefit | Cost-sharing | Employee Rates | University Rates | Change from 2017 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Basic Life (1 x annual earnings) |
100 percent University Paid | Not applicable | $0.0940/$1,000 of coverage per month | Decrease of 10 percent |
|
Additional Basic Life (1 to 2 x annual earnings) |
66.7 percent University Paid | $0.0313/$1,000 of coverage per month | $0.0627/$1,000 of coverage per month | Decrease of 10 percent |
|
Optional Life (1 to 3 x annual earnings) |
0 percent University paid | Variable; see table on Human Resources page | Not applicable | No change |
The optional life premium rates are based on per $1,000 of coverage per month and the rates change based on age, gender, and whether or not the insured is a smoker. Check the Human Resources Benefits site for more details on the optional life premiums and a table that breaks down the cost of coverage by age and other characteristics.
Anyone with questions regarding these rates is invited to please contact Human Resources at hrhelp@uwaterloo.ca for more information.
Trainspotting: ION is in test mode this week
Beginning Tuesday and continued to Friday, May 4, GrandLinq will be testing the ION Light Rail Vehicle (LRV) between the Conestoga Mall stop and the Erb/Caroline intersection. This work will require the LRV to travel at its design speed, up to 70 km per hour.
Plant Operations reports that minor delays at pedestrian crossings and vehicle crossings as the LRV is operated through the crossings is anticipated, and paid duty officers, signal support at intersections and flaggers (if needed) will be in place at road crossings to direct traffic as required and pedestrian crossings will be barricaded or have flaggers as required.
The Region of Waterloo has prepared a list of things to keep in mind during this latest round of testing:
- Stay alert and pay attention to signage whether you walk or cycle, drive or take transit.
- The rules of the road haven’t changed. Treat ION trains like you would any other vehicle.
- ION trains run on electricity and may not always be heard against normal street noise. Treat ION trains with the same caution you would any other vehicle.
- When walking or cycling, cross the tracks at designated crossings and look both ways before crossing. Turn down the volume on headphones and stay alert.
- If the safety arms are down, do not cross the tracks and never attempt to cross in front of an approaching ION train.
- The tracks are for trains. Around town, never stop or park anywhere on the light rail tracks. Any vehicle stopped will be ticketed or towed.
- Your vehicle will only cross light rail tracks through intersections and some driveway entrances, look twice before proceeding.
- Some intersections have changed. Take time to learn the new signs you’re seeing across town and follow all signage.
To learn more about staying safe around ION, visit GRT's ION Safety website.
ION is the Region of Waterloo’s rapid transit system, which includes a 19 kilometre light rail transit route that runs from Conestoga Mall to Fairview Park Mall, including a stop at University of Waterloo. When ION launches in December 2018, Grand River Transit riders will transfer seamlessly between bus and light rail services, providing a reliable link from University of Waterloo to destinations across the region.
Student IT Services site launches
A message from Information Systems and Technology (IST).
IST is pleased to announce the launch of the Student IT Services website. Created specifically for Waterloo students, the site provides information on the IT services available to them in one convenient place.
Students can quickly find information on the top used/requested IT services, explore IT support resources, and stay in the know regarding IT service news and events.
Notes as lectures begin
Today, lectures begin for the spring term, and students on co-op work terms begin their work. Incoming students (first year, exchange/study abroad, transfer and graduate students) will be participating in Spring Orientation activities this week.
The latest instalment in the Research Talks lecture series takes place today, with Waterloo Philosophy Professor Heather Douglas, Electrical and Computer Engineering Professor Sebastian Fischmeister, General Motors roboticist Jayant Bansal and technology lawyer George Takach, discussing "Driving the future of autonomous vehicles and responsible innovation" at 11:45 a.m. in DC 1302.
The Research Talks series celebrates research and provides an opportunity for staff, faculty, and students to learn more about some of the world-class research underway at Waterloo.
The University Club is hosting a Mother's Day Brunch on Sunday, May 14 from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Check out the menu (PDF) and make your reservation today.