A message from the chair of the Municipal Pension Board of Trustees: May 20, 2020
Your board of trustees announces two actions for members who participate in the plan’s extended health and dental program.
Dear plan member,
While much is changing as a result of COVID-19, we are working hard to keep you updated on matters related to your pension. We have news for retired members who participate in the plan’s extended health and dental program.
Retired members to receive temporary premium reductions for group benefits
Many of our retired members are part of the plan’s retirement group benefits program, which offers extended health and dental coverage. We are aware that due to COVID-19 and social distancing, these members have not been able to access their full benefits.
In our letter of May 12, we told you we were discussing options with our benefits consultant and group benefits provider, Pacific Blue Cross. We can now share the following two actions:
- Pacific Blue Cross will apply a temporary 75 per cent reduction in dental premiums for three months.
- The board has approved a temporary 8 per cent reduction in extended health care premiums for three months.
This is an unprecedented move on behalf of the broader group insurance industry and we hope these temporary savings will provide meaningful financial assistance.
The reduced premiums will be applied to your July, August and September pension payments. This will be automatic; you do not need to take any action to receive the reduced premiums. If you pay your premiums directly to Pacific Blue Cross, the reduction will be applied automatically.
You can view your pension payments and other details by signing in to My Account on the plan website.
We will share further updates and news as available.
Yours truly,
Hilary Brown, MBA, CPA, CGA
Chair
Municipal Pension Board of Trustees