Retiree Benefit Program

Retiree Benefit Program - Landing Page

Frequently Asked Questions

The Retiree Benefit Program (RBP) is a negotiated entitlement available to qualified retired members covered by the Nurses' Bargaining Association (NBA) collective agreement. It's 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.

Between 2009 and 2019, members enrolled in the RBP had been receiving a monthly subsidy covering 50 percent of their Medical Service Plan (MSP) premiums. BCNU has been proud to provide this service to our members.

However, this subsidy ended in January 2020, after the provincial government eliminated MSP premiums for all 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. Considering the development that the RBP Fund would not be utilized within an existing pension plan to provide inflation protection or other benefits, on November 8, 2022, the Retiree Benefit Program Committee (RBPC) 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 RBPC has also approved a one-time payment of $500.00 to be paid to eligible members who are currently in the program and all eligible members who retire on or before Dec. 31, 2022. The deadline for BCNU to receive your completed RBP application form for the 2022 $500 one-time payment is Nov. 30, 2023.

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Additional RBP History
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Eligibility
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How to Apply
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Information for Retirees Registered With RBP

The RBP’s primary goal is to provide retired members with complete information about the requirements and process in place to help ensure payments are received by those already enrolled in the Retiree Benefits Program and, to help ensure that those not yet enrolled are provided access to enroll in order to receive the RPB benefits. Please note that currently, LPNs do not participate in the program.
 
If you retire on or after Jan. 1, 2023, you will not be eligible for the 2022 $500 one-time payment. Please complete and submit an RBP application form (see button below) after you retire as eligible retirees will receive future benefits as determined by the RBP committee.
 
Payments will only commence once applications are received and accepted by the RBP. There is no retroactive reimbursement for applications not received by the RBP. It is the member/retiree responsibility to submit forms. RBP benefits are not guaranteed. For more information, email rbp@bcnu.org.
 
If you received a payment for which you were not eligible, the RBP Committee is entitled to recover any such payments.
 
The RBP will actively attempt to communicate with retired members who are not yet registered for the benefit to provide them with awareness of the payment process and to help them apply for a one-time payment of $500.00 CAD.
 
Please encourage other retired BCNU members to apply for the program, not only for the one-time payment but to ensure they are registered for any future benefits. The goal of the program is to provide ongoing benefits to retirees; however, benefits from the program are not guaranteed.

Application form

UPDATED: February 15, 2023
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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