Group Benefits and Pension Plans
The Convention provides a group benefit plan and a defined contribution pension plan through our partnership with Canadian Baptist Ministries. Since these are both compulsory plans, churches are obligated to offer them to all employees that qualify.
Group Insurance and Health Benefits
The Convention offers a group benefit plan, which is a compulsory plan for all employees who work more than 20 hours per week and are not covered by any other healthcare plan (i.e. spousal plan). It is the church's responsibility to ensure that the plan is offered to the employee and that a waiver is signed and kept on file if the employee declines coverage. Because we are part of a wider plan, churches are not at liberty to make changes to the coverage provided.
The CBOQ Board is pleased to announce that we have partnered with J&D Benefits, a firm specializing in benefits administration. Effective January 1, 2012, J&D will handle all aspects of the group plan administration, including monthly group plan invoicing and remittances. Read More
You will need to contact J&D to enrol a new eligible employee, to advise of employee salary changes and coverage changes, and for all billing inquiries. Either you or the plan member can notify J&D of a plan member moves to another church, a termination or retirement. Both J&D and the Convention office should be notified when a terminating plan member will be “Seeking for a Pastorate”. J&D Benefits has assigned a dedicated administrator to work on our group benefit plan.
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J&D Contact Information |
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For J&D service in French |
CBOQ Convention office
Plan Members will continue to contact the CBOQ Convention office for matters relating to Plan interpretation, understanding their coverage and booklet, tracking a claim, disputing the adjudication of a claim, requesting an exception to the 30 day drug limit, help with the completion of an LTD application and ongoing support during a period of disability etc.
CBOQ Contact Information
Name: Sarah Westman-Liu (Accounting Manager)
Email: sarah@baptist.ca
Phone: 416-622-8600 ext 314
Fax: 416-622-2308
Great-West Life
All basic benefits are employer paid and should not be withheld from the employee’s salary. The basic life insurance premium is a taxable benefit, and information will be provided annually in the Treasurer’s Newsletter.
The basic plan provides for life insurance, dependent life insurance, healthcare, dental care, and long term disability. Coverage for these benefits are provided through Great West Life.
Group Benefit Plan Booklet for Employees, February 2008
Group Benefit Plan Booklet for Retired Employees
Travel Information
Understanding Out-of-Country Coverage
Access to Great-West Life Online Services for Plan Members
Accidental Death & Dismemberment
This is also part of the basic Group Benefits Plan. AD&D is provided through ManuLife Financial.
Plan Booklet for Accidental Death & Dismemberment
Employee Assistance Program
A confidential counseling program is provided through FGI for plan members and their families. FGI provides a comprehensive program to our members simply by calling and indicating that you are a member of the CBOQ plan. To receive assistance call 1-800-268-5211
Optional Group Life Insurance
The employee may also purchase optional group life insurance for both the member and a spouse up to a maximum of $500,000.
Pension Plan
The Pension Plan is a defined contribution plan. The plan is managed by a committee called the National Pension and Insurance Committee, to which CBOQ appoints three representatives. The Committee meets a minimum of two times per year to hear reports from the consultants and investment managers, and to provide overall coordination and governance of the plan.
All employees are eligible to be part of the plan. The employer has the right, for non-pastoral staff, to delay eligibility for one year. It is the church’s responsibility to advise employees of their eligibility.
The employee’s contribution is matched by the employer in an equal amount. Pension legislation requires that these funds be remitted within 30 days of having been withheld. Employee contribution rates since 2007 are 6.00%.
Enrolment forms are available by contacting Sarah Westman-Liu, Accounting Manager at CBOQ: amanager@baptist.ca. If an employee chooses not to participate in the Plan, the church should keep a signed waiver on file.
