Retiree Benefit Program

Retiree Benefit Program - Landing Page

The Retiree Benefit Program (RBP) is a negotiated entitlement available to qualified retired members covered by the Nurses' Bargaining Association (NBA) collective agreement. It is a unique program that draws on a special Retiree Benefit Fund set up to help provide nurses with better retirement benefits and better inflation protection for their pension.

The RBP is funded exclusively from the one (1) percent market adjustment of payroll collected from employers by the HEABC and subsequently transferred to the BCNU on behalf of the NBA.

Click on the "Eligibility" button below to learn more about how to qualify for RBP benefits and for examples that show how a member may or may not be eligible for RBP benefits. 

Licensed practical nurses (LPNs) will be eligible for the RBP effective April 1, 2024. LPNs were previously ineligible for the program, but their inclusion was negotiated during 2022-2025 NBA contract negotiations. The inclusion of LPNs is a welcome expansion of the program. The RBP committee is working to determine the details of LPN involvement and will provide more information to these members when it becomes available.

Program Background

From 2009 through 2019, members enrolled in the RBP received a monthly subsidy covering 50 percent of their Medical Service Plan (MSP) premiums. BCNU was proud to provide this service to our members which concluded as of 2020 when the provincial government eliminated MSP premiums for BC residents.

In the fall of 2022, the Pension Governance Review Process concluded with no recommended change to the existing pension arrangement for NBA members. On November 8, 2022, in consideration of the development that the RBP Fund would not be utilized within an existing pension plan to provide inflation protection or other benefits, the RBP committee passed the following motion: That the Nurses' Bargaining Association Retiree Benefit Program Committee will commence and prioritize a RBP Plan Design Review Project, which will consider funding and benefit issues and options for the future use of the Fund. 

The Plan Design Review commenced in the spring of 2023 and included a member survey a few months later to help determine the health benefits valued most by members.

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More Background
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Eligibility
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How to Apply
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Information for Retirees Registered With RBP

Working and retired BCNU members can encourage other retired members to apply for the Retiree Benefit Program to receive any future benefits. The goal of the program is to provide ongoing benefits to retirees, however, RBP benefits are not guaranteed. If you receive a payment for which you are not eligible, the RBP Committee is entitled to recover any such payments.

Email rbp@bcnu.org for more information.

UPDATED: January 05, 2024
ATTENTION LPNs

Following the recently ratified 2022-2025 NBA provincial collective agreement, employers of LPNs covered by this agreement will contribute on behalf of LPNs to the Retiree Benefit Program fund. These employer contributions for LPNs were negotiated to commence on April 1, 2024.

Need more information?

If you have questions, please email RBP@bcnu.org.

You may also phone the BCNU main switchboard at 604-433-2268 or 1-800-663-9991, then:

  • Ask for the Retiree Benefits Program Administrator

OR

  • Press 8 for Finance; press 6 for Pensions and Benefits; record your voicemail for the RBP administrator.

The email inbox and voice mail are regularly monitored.

If you are NOT receiving updates, news, and events emailed to you, log in to the BCNU Member Portal and update your information.

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