Remuneration and Benefits – Retired

General Synod pension

Apply for your pension by completing the Application for Retirement Pension form and submitting it to the diocesan Payroll Office. After the application is processed, the General Synod Pension Office will tell you the exact monthly amount of the pension and any options available.

Pension amounts are paid at the end of each month. For more information, contact the General Synod Pension Office.

Extended health care coverage

At the time of retirement, you have the option to apply to join the post-retirement Extended Health Benefit program. Contact the diocesan Payroll Office for more information.

Post-December 2007 retirees

If you retired after Dec. 1, 2007, you’re part of the Health Care Spending Account for Retirement Benefits. Read the Post-Retirement Benefit Bulletin (after Dec. 1, 2007).

To submit a claim, use:

• the medical claim form for prescriptions
• the health care spending account claim form for dental or other benefits

For information and frequently asked questions, read the Health Care Spending Account brochure.

Pre-December 2007 retirees

If you retired before Dec. 1, 2007, you’re grandfathered into the previous, modified Retirement Benefits Plan. Read the Post-Retirement Benefits Bulletin (before Dec. 1, 2007).

To submit a claim, use:

• medical claim form
• dental claim form

Have questions?

If you have questions about a claim for benefits or what’s covered by your benefits, contact Manulife (1-888-968-5555) or the General Synod Pension Office (1-800-265-1070). You’ll need your plan and certificate numbers on hand.

Discretionary medical & dental grant

A limited number of grants are available for members of the Diocese of Toronto extended health and dental plan (both active and retired) who exceed their annual coverage. Grants will range from $500 to $1,500.

Those eligible for grants include participating members of the extended health and dental plan, including active and retired clergy and diocesan staff. You must have completely depleted your extended health and dental benefits for the year before you submit an application. Grants will only be considered for expenses that occurred in the year of the grant application.

The following are eligible for grants:

• hospital accommodation
• professional services by licensed practitioners (must be the result of an illness or injury and supported by documentation from a medical practitioner)
• dental care: major restorative services, dentures, orthodontics
• assistance with medical devices including, but not limited to, orthotics, hearing aids, braces, wheelchairs, back support

To access a Discretionary Medical and Dental Grant, download the guidelines and application form. If you have any questions, contact the Human Resources department.

Self-Insured Death Benefit Plan

If you have had coverage under the Self-Insured Death Benefit Plan or the Manulife life insurance plan for at least five years immediately before you retire, the $10,000 death benefit is reduced to $4,000 and a death benefit of $1,500 is provided on the death of an eligible spouse. Information on the Self-Insured Death Benefit Plan is available on the Pension Office website.

Life insurance

The benefit amount:

• reduces by 50% or to $50,000, whichever is greater, at age 65
• terminates at the end of the year in which you turn 71 or retire, whichever is earlier

If you’ve been granted an exemption from the General Synod Pension Plan, insurance will terminate when you turn 66.

Continuing Education Plan

If you retire and don’t perform any further work for the Diocese, you can no longer access these funds. Any applications for continuing education expenses must be submitted three months before you retire to be eligible for reimbursement.

If you retire and continue to perform work reimbursed through the diocesan central payroll, you may be eligible to keep participating in the plan. Contact the Pension Office to discuss your eligibility.

Information on the Continuing Education Plan is available on the Pension Office website.

Long-term disability insurance

This General Synod benefit ceases upon retirement or at age 65, whichever is earlier.