Frequently Asked Questions
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RBP is a negotiated entitlement available to qualified retired members covered by the NBA collective agreement. It's a unique program that draws on a special Retiree Benefit Fund. BCNU and other members of the Nurses' Bargaining Association (NBA) negotiated the RBP which is available to qualified members who retire from the NBA collective agreement. BCNU is proud to provide this service to members to help provide nurses with better retirement benefits.
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The RBP committee reviews applications based on the Eligibility criteria stated above.
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If you received MSP subsidies (50% of the costs of MSP) prior to 2020, you are enrolled in RBP.
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You may also send an inquiry to rbp@bcnu.org
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Please read the eligibility section above for full details on what is an "Eligible Retiree".
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Visit BCNU.org and click the link for
Retiree Benefits Program to find the application form to be downloaded, completed, signed and then emailed or mailed to the RBP administrator. Email and mailing addresses are found on the application form. If you are unable to access the BCNU website, call the BCNU at 604-433-2268 or 1-800-663-9991 to request an application form by mail. Ensure you print off your application form and have it signed by a witness of majority age. Email your completed application form to
rbp@bcnu.org or mail it to the BCNU RBP Administrator at the mailing address on the application form.
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You will receive confirmation of approval status by email or mail up to six weeks from the date your application is submitted.
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Please apply after you retire, as eligible retirees will receive future benefits as determined by the RBP committee.
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Please read the eligibility section above. Following are examples of former union members who are not eligible for the retiree benefit:
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If you did not retire as a member of one of the NBA unions. For example, if you terminated employment as a Registered Nurse and member of BCNU at a hospital in BC and went to work at a doctor's office prior to retirement.
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If you were a union member but were employed at a site covered by the Nurses Master and Component Agreement with the provincial government or independent agreement when you retired.
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If you retired as an employee in health care but your union was not under the Nurses' Bargaining Association such as the Hospital Employees Union (HEU)
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Currently, LPNs do not participate in the program.
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If you were not a member of one of the NBA's constituent unions for at least two (2) consecutive years at your date of retirement.
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If you did not work the required number of hours within the last two (2) consecutive prior to retirement – 400 (four hundred) hours.
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If you retired from a non-union position, such as an excluded nurse manager.
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Applicants who wish to provide additional information may email the RBP committee at
rbp@bcnu.org.
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The Retiree Benefit Program (RBP) has been administering contributed funds in accordance with a provision in the collective agreement negotiated by the NBA in 2006. To date, the RBP distributed funds to retired members in the form of MSP premium subsidies, and that is one reason why the NBA negotiated the creation of the Pension Review Committee (PRC) which is separate from the RBP. The PRC mandate was to review potential changes to the governance of nurses’ pensions that would allow for the Retiree Benefit Fund to be integrated into the existing pension plan to provide inflation protection and group benefits which are superior to that which is available through the pension plan. The possibility of using the Retiree Benefit Fund within the existing pension plan is why the RBP committee was asked to allow the PRC to complete its work before a RBP committee decision on any future payments to members. The Pension Governance Review suffered delays from March 2020 to September 2022 due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. In consideration of the length of time needed for the review, the RBP committee has passed a motion to direct that a one-time payment of $500.00 CAD be made to eligible retirees.
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On November 8, 2022, the RBP committee passed a motion “that the Nurses’ Bargaining Association Retiree Benefit Program (RBP) 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.”
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The RBP committee has approved the $500.00 CAD one-time payment to provide some relief to retirees to offset out-of-pocket expenses incurred in their dental or extended healthcare costs. Retirees have inferior retirement benefits and pay greater costs out-of-pocket than working members. With the pension review now complete, the RBP committee has prioritized to move the RBP forward with a strong commitment to develop a secure, beneficial program for retirees today and into the future. Any changes to the program will automatically apply to registered (and qualified) members.
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It is a one-time payment of $500.00 CAD which you can receive if you are eligible and if you have retired on or before December 31, 2022.
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If you were accepted into the retiree benefits program prior to December 31, 2019, you should expect payment the week of December 5, 2022. Following this payment, please note that a T4A slip will be sent to you before February 28, 2023.
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If you apply and are accepted into RBP between December 31, 2019 and February 6, 2023, you should expect payment in the week of February 27, 2023. Following this payment, a T4A slip will be sent to before the end of February 2024.
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If you apply to RBP after February 6, 2023, your payment will be paid before the end of the following month in which your application is accepted. Following this payment, a T4A slip will be sent to before the end of February 2024.
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The benefit subsidy will be reviewed yearly and posted on the BCNU website. Any changes to the program will automatically apply to registered and qualified members. The nature and amount of benefits paid from the RBP are at the discretion of the RBPC and are subject to change: future benefits from the RBP are not guaranteed.
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On November 8, 2022, the RBP committee passed a motion “that the Nurses’ Bargaining Association Retiree Benefit Program (RBP) 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.”
If you retired within the last eight years, your employer will be one of the current Health Authorities and your worksite will be the location where you worked. If you do not know your Health Authority, fill in your worksite only. If you worked in the community or mental health, please provide the city in which you worked so we can identify the appropriate Health Authority. For example, if you worked in mental health in Victoria, fill in the worksite as Victoria mental health.
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RBP requires enrolled members to arrange direct deposit to their bank account in order to facilitate the delivery of program benefits. Please complete and sign the Direct Deposit Authorization form with formal bank stamp OR attach a VOID cheque with your application form.
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Yes, the payment is taxable and will be reported on a T4A which will be sent to you.
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Social Insurance Number is required to provide you with your T4A for taxation purposes.
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Yes, you are eligible for RBP when you transition from LTD to retirement. To support your application, you will be required to provide your letter from Canada Life and your pension plan acceptance letter.
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No, retro payments are not available.
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If you retired before 2016, please contact the CRA to request a copy of your T4 slip. If you retired in 2016 or later, please go ahead and submit your RBP application.
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Yes! You are encouraged to sign up to receive Retired Member eNews, a periodic e-newsletter from BCNU sent to retired members to help keep you informed of issues and initiatives you may find important in retirement. If you are not already receiving it, please provide your contact details to the BCNU Membership team at
membership@bcnu.org.