Group Benefit Plans
Alberta School Employee Benefit Plan
Most teachers in the province belong to the Alberta School Employee Benefit Plan (ASEBP). ASEBP is administered by a board consisting of five trustees appointed by the Association and five trustees appointed by the Alberta School Boards Association. Association staff are available (tw@ata.ab.ca) to provide advice on ASEBP benefits as well as to help teachers appeal decisions of the ASEBP. ASEBP representatives, Association staff officers in Teacher Welfare and economic consultants are always available to speak to teachers.
Following is a summary of the various benefits available from ASEBP. A detailed description of ASEBP programs can be found at http://www.asebp.ab.ca. ASEBP can also be contacted directly at Suite 700, Weber Centre, 5555 Calgary Trail, Edmonton T6H 5P9 or by phone at 780-431-4786 (Edmonton) or 1-877-431-4786 (elsewhere in Alberta).
Life Insurance
This program is designed to provide a measure of financial compensation to a designated beneficiary or beneficiaries in the event that the participant dies from any cause while employed by an employer participating in the program. This insurance, which is in force 24 hours a day for as long as the member is employed, has no cash value and cannot be used as security for a loan.
Accidental Death & Dismemberment
Accidental Death & Dismemberment (AD&D) insurance provides a measure of compensation to a participant who is dismembered as the result of an accident or to a designated beneficiary or beneficiaries (in the event that the participant dies in an accident). Like Life Insurance, AD&D benefits are in force 24 hours a day for as long as the member is employed by a participating employer. If an injury results in death, the AD&D benefit is in addition to the benefit paid under the life insurance policy.
Extended Disability Benefits
Extended Disability Benefit (EDB) plans are designed to provide participants who become incapable of working because of a disability with a reasonable level of income throughout the period of disability. The ASEBP EDB plan also develops rehabilitation and return-to-work plans for participants on EDB.
Download the Teachers' Sick Leave and EDB Guide
Dental Care
The various Dental Care plans offered by ASEBP cover a range of services including preventive and basic restorative treatment (such as dental exams, x-rays, polishing and fillings), major restorative treatment (crowns, bridges and dentures) and orthodontic treatment. Different plans provide different levels of coverage.
Extended Health Care
ASEBP's Extended Health Care plans are designed to cover a range of health care services and supplies not covered or only partially covered by Alberta Health Care. Examples of such services are prescription medicines, semi-private hospital accommodation, physiotherapy, psychological counselling, hearing aids and out-of-province and out-of-country emergency travel. Benefits excluded from the Alberta Health Care Insurance Plan are not automatically covered by ASEBP's Extended Health Care plans.
Vision Care
This program covers a range of vision care expenses.
Early Retiree Benefits
In many cases participants who retire before reaching age 65 can choose to continue ASEBP benefit coverage up to the end of the month in which they reach age 65 (eligibility criteria apply). Participants can either choose to continue with all ASEBP benefits (excluding EDB) that they were enrolled in immediately before retirement or select a standard package of ASEBP benefits.
Optional Benefits
Personal Accident Insurance
In addition to the Accidental Death & Dismemberment Insurance available through the Alberta School Employee Benefit Plan (ASEBP), Industrial Alliance Pacific offers a voluntary insurance plan. This plan is designed to compensate a participant who is dismembered as the result of an accident or to compensate the beneficiary in the event that the participant dies accidentally. The plan covers accidents that result in death or dismemberment anywhere in the world, on or off the job. Two plans are available: an employee only plan and a family plan.
The Voluntary Accidental Death & Dismemberment plan, which is not administrated by ASEBP, may be purchased directly from Industrial Alliance Pacific.
Group Life+ and Term to 100
The Group Life+ plan is a life insurance program available to teachers and others who provide service to schools. It provides up to $300,000 in compensation to the surviving spouse (or designated beneficiary) in the event of the participant's death. The plan was recently enhanced to provide coverage up to age 100, a provision that makes it ideally suited to estate planning. The plan is administered by Capital Estate Planning Corporation, 4222 97 Street, Edmonton AB T6E 5Z9; phone: 780-463-6128 or 1-800-661-8755; fax: 780-462-7523.
ATA Teachers' Rate Program
Morgex Insurance is pleased to provide ATA members with a special Teachers' Rate Program which includes preferred rates on home and auto insurance. To learn more about the award-winning benefits and services that Morgex provides, please call 1-888-262-9522 or visit www.morgex.com/ata.
Group RRSP
The Association offers a group RRSP, which is open to ATA members and employees and their spouses. Members who participate in the Group RRSP continue to have their plans individually registered with Revenue Canada. The advantage is that their contributions are pooled and invested by professional managers, thereby ensuring the highest possible returns. Contributions to Group RRSPs can be made by pre-authorized bank withdrawals or through monthly payroll deductions. The group plan is administered by Capital Estate Planning Corporation, 4222 97 Street, Edmonton AB T6E 5Z9; phone: 780-463-6128 or 1-800-661-8755; fax: 780-462-7523. The investor is Group Retirement Services.
Group RESP
The Association offers a group Registered Education Saving Plan (RESP), which is available to members and employees and their spouses. The plan enables participants to make contributions toward the education of a beneficiary who may be a child, grandchild, nephew, niece, spouse, friend or the participant him- or herself. Although the contributions themselves are not tax deductible, interest earned on the contributions accumulates tax free. Once the beneficiary is enrolled in full time study at a post secondary institution in Canada (or at a specified institution abroad) he or she can draw on the funds to defray such education-related costs as tuition, books, travel, food or accommodation. Contributions to Group RESPs can be made by pre-authorized bank withdrawals or through monthly payroll deductions. The group plan is administered by Capital Estate Planning Corporation, 4222 97 Street, Edmonton AB T6E 5Z9; phone: 780-463-6128 or 1-800-661-8755; fax: 780-462-7523.