Direct Payments

In the event of lay-off or termination of employment, you may continue your insurance by making your own contributions directly to the Trust Fund.  You may remit direct payments for up to 12 months if your termination of employment is due to lay-off, or for up to 3 months if your termination of employment is voluntary.

Should you select to take an early retirement you may remit direct payments to the Fund, to age 65, providing all of the following conditions are met:

1. You are a Member in good standing with the Union at the time of your retirement.
2. You have participated in the Benefit Plan for a minimum of 10 years.
3. You are 55 years of age or older at the date of your retirement.
4. You are not actively employed elsewhere.
5. You notify the Administrator of your early retirement within 31 days of the date of retirement.
6. You choose the full package of benefits available.

All benefits may be continued by the Direct Pay method described above except for the Weekly Wage Replacement and Long Term Disability benefits.

Note: In the case of lay-off, Weekly Wage Replacement benefits are payable provided a contribution is made by your employer for the month in which lay-off occurred and you have been recalled to work during that period.

The option to Direct Pay ceases upon your attainment of age 65.  For coverage options after age 65 you should contact your administrator for information about the Ontario Teamsters Retirement Benefit Plan.

Continuing Benefits when Disabled

In the event that you become disabled and are unable to work, your benefit coverage will be maintained by the Trust Fund for up to 12 months, providing you are in receipt of Weekly Wage Replacement Income, Long Term Disability *Workplace Safety and Insurance, or *Motor Vehicle Insurance disability payments.
Following a period of Fund Assistance, if you remain totally and permanently disabled, you will continue to receive Fund Assistance to the earlier of age 65 or until you start to receive a Pension or Disability Pension. To be deemed totally and permanently disabled, you must be receiving CPP Disability Benefits and be approved for Waiver of Premium of your Life Insurance.

If you continue to be disabled but are not on approved Waiver of Premium and are not receiving CPP Disability benefits, you are eligible to remit direct payments for a further 12 months, or to age 65 if earlier, provided you continue to be in receipt of one of the following benefits;

1. Long Term Disability benefits, or;
2. *WSIB benefits or;
3. *Motor Vehicle Insurance disability benefits, or;
4. Disability pension benefits.

*Proof of acceptance and monthly benefit payments for your Workplace Safety & Insurance, or Motor Vehicle Insurance claim must be submitted to the Administrator.  It is your responsibility to contact the administrator to confirm your continuing coverage.

Note:  The Direct Pay and Fund Assistance Provisions cease upon your attainment of age 65.  For coverage options after that, you should contact the administrator for information about the Ontario Teamsters Retirement Benefit Plan.