Established: January 6, 1967
Last updated: July 1, 2022
Class: FS
1. GENERAL
The purpose of this policy is to define the basis of eligibility for pension and insured benefits, including sick leave. Where this policy indicates that an employee or retiree is eligible for pension or insured benefits coverage, participation is compulsory unless optional participation is provided for particular groups under specific circumstances.
2. ELIGIBILITY
Employees of the University of Waterloo are eligible for pension and insured benefits coverage. University of Waterloo retirees who receive a monthly UW pension are eligible for post-retirement benefits. Details of the various plans can be found in the Pension and Benefits Booklets available from Human Resources - in hard copy or on line.
A. Ongoing Appointments
Full- and Part-time Employees with Appointment Duration of Two Years or More
- Canada Pension Plan
- Employment Insurance Plan
- Workplace Safety Insurance
- UW Dental Plan
- UW Extended Health Care Plan
- UW Group Life Insurance Plan
- UW Long Term Disability Plan
- UW Pension Plan
- UW Sick Leave Plan
B. Temporary Appointments[1]
Full- and Part-time Employees with Appointment Duration of at Least One Year But Less Than Two Years
- Canada Pension Plan
- Employment Insurance Plan
- Workplace Safety Insurance
- UW Extended Health Care Plan
- UW Group Life Insurance Plan - option of 1 x salary only
- UW Long Term Disability Plan - individual plan offered on an optional basis
- UW Pension Plan - only if qualified under legislation
- Sick Leave - 6 working days per year, prorated as applicable
Full- and Part-time Employees with Appointment Duration of More Than Three Months But Less Than One Year
- Canada Pension Plan
- Employment Insurance Plan
- Workplace Safety Insurance
- UW Pension Plan - only if qualified under legislation
- Sick Leave - 6 working days per year, prorated as applicable
C. Casual Appointments
Full- and Part-time Employees with Appointment Duration of Three Months or Less
- Canada Pension Plan
- Employment Insurance Plan
- Workplace Safety Insurance
D. Retirees Receiving a Monthly UW Pension
To be eligible for post-retirement benefits, retirees must have at least 10 years of continuous University of Waterloo service, in a regular ongoing position, in definite term/temporary consecutive contracts whose lengths are minimum of one year, or a combination thereof, followed by immediate receipt of a monthly UW pension. Approved leaves of absence, temporary reduced workloads, maternity/parental leaves and sick leaves/LTD are not deemed as interruptions in service for purposes of this policy.
UW Group Life Insurance Plan - a flat amount of post-retirement life insurance
UW Extended Health Care Plan - requires provincial coverage or equivalent coverage as approved by the University*
*The University reserves the right to change this Plan to keep it consistent with the Extended Health Care Plan provided to active employees.
Retirees who were part-time employees immediately prior to retirement: (1) pay a pro-rated premium, yet receive full Extended Health Care benefits; (2) have a pro-rated amount of post-retirement life insurance.
3. ADMINISTRATION
- The cost-sharing arrangements for the various benefits shall be as determined from time to time by the Board of Governors of the University, based on recommendations of the University of Waterloo Pension & Benefits Committee.
- This policy is designed as a ready reference and guide. The final legal basis for determining eligibility for pension and benefits is by the official text of the Pension Plan, insurance contract or government legislation.
[1] In cases where a temporary appointment is continued or extended so that the appointment duration is two or more years from the original hire date, the appointment is treated as "ongoing" for benefits purposes when two years of continuous employment is reached.