NBA Retiree Benefit Program to Distribute New RN and RPN Payments in 2026

Retired BCNU members enrolled in the Nurses' Bargaining Association (NBA) Retiree Benefit Program (RBP) will receive payments of up to $5,500 in 2026. The RBP Committee responsible for administering the RBP fund has authorized the payments while it awaits the outcome of BCNU’s request to the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) for a technical interpretation on the tax treatment of the fund if used to provide health benefits through a health care spending account. The payments will be the second time such a disbursement has been made, following a $500 payment first made to program members for 2022.  

Lump-sum payments will be made to existing RBP members in February 2026. The amount received will be calculated at a rate of $1,000 for each year a member has been eligible for the program, retroactive to 2020 and less the payment made for 2022. The maximum payable is $5,500. Payments for eligible retired NBA members yet to enrol in the RBP are scheduled for August and October 2026.

Any member retiring on or before Dec. 31, 2025, must enrol and be accepted to the RBP by Sept. 30, 2026, to be considered eligible to participate in the current payment. Any members retiring on or after Jan. 1, 2026, are encouraged to enrol but are only eligible for future benefits.

The 2026 payments may affect some RBP members’ income-tested benefits, such as the Guaranteed Income Supplement (GIS) and Old Age Security (OAS). RBP members may opt-out of the payment by Jan. 31, 2026, to help mitigate potential impact. There is no option to defer the payment. RBP members should update their banking information by using the direct deposit form at www.bcnu.org/RBP.

All working members are encouraged to share news of this payment with retired co-workers to help ensure all eligible retired members are enrolled in the RBP to receive future benefits.  

BCNU’s legal team continues to engage with the CRA on its request, which was made to confirm whether RBP-funded health benefits covered through a health care spending account could be provided on a tax-free basis. The RBP Committee learned through a 2023 survey that retired members prioritize health benefit options that are not taxable.  

The RBP Committee oversees administration of the RBP fund designed to provide eligible retirees with inflation protection and retirement benefits. Negotiated during 2006 NBA contract negotiations, the RBP is funded exclusively from the one (1) percent market adjustment of payroll collected from employers by the HEABC and subsequently transferred to BCNU on behalf of the NBA.  

LPNs to begin enrolment

Funding for LPN inclusion in the RBP started April 1, 2024. Their inclusion was negotiated during 2022-2025 NBA contract negotiations and is a welcome expansion of the program.  

LPNs who retired on or after April 1, 2024 will be notified next spring with more information on the RBP enrolment process. Eligible LPNs are anticipated to start enrolment between March and April 2026 and scheduled to receive a payment in July or October.

Visit bcnu.org to learn more about the RBP and access the application form.

Retired members may confirm their RBP enrolment status by emailing RBP@bcnu.org.  

Any member requiring more information can email RBP@bcnu.org.