Latest updates from the Public Service Compensation Email Notification System

January 17, 2022 - Defence Stories

 

Subscribe to the Public Service Compensation Email Notification System to receive direct and timely general information about your pay and public service pension and benefits plans.

Benefits

The Government of Canada has awarded a new contract for the administration of the Public Service Health Care Plan (PSHCP) to the Canada Life Assurance Company (Canada Life). Canada Life will begin processing PSHCP claims July 1, 2023, following a transition period. Until then, continue sending your PSHCP claims to Sun Life Financial.

A new plan administrator has no impact on the cost of the PSHCP for plan members or to the benefits available to them and their families. What does this mean for you? Learn more by consulting the new contract awarded to administer the PSHCP Information Notice for details on the contract.

This edition includes articles on emergency benefits for travellers, benefits for durable equipment, going paperless, survivor benefits and COVID-19 temporary measures.

See more important information about taking Leave Without Pay and how it affects your health benefits.

The deadline to submit your Public Service Health Care Plan claims is within 12 months following the calendar year the expense was incurred. For example, if you incurred a health expense in 2020, you must submit your claim by December 31, 2021 to be eligible for reimbursement.

Read more on how to submit a benefit claim.

The deadline for submitting your Public Service Dental Care Plan and Pensioners' Dental Services Plan claims is 15 months after the expense is incurred. For example, if you incurred a dental expense on January 1, 2020, you must submit your claim by March 31, 2022 (15 months later) to be eligible for reimbursement.

See how to submit a claim.

Pay

As we come to the end of 2021, this is a reminder that employees who have reached their maximum Canada Pension Plan (CPP) / Quebec Pension Plan (QPP) (you are now leaving the Government of Canada website) contributions in this calendar year will see these deductions begin again on their first pay of 2022.

For 2022, the CPP contribution rate will increase to 5.7% (from 5.45%) and the QPP rate will increase to 6.15% (from 5.9%).

The public service pension plan is coordinated with the Canada Pension Plan (CPP), or the Quebec Pension Plan (QPP).

Your contributions to the public service pension plan change depending on whether or not you have reached the yearly maximum pensionable earnings covered by these plans, as indicated on the pension contribution rates page.

While you are contributing to the CPP or QPP, your public service pension plan contribution rate is lower. This is indicated on your pay stub as Group PSSA * - low.

If you reach the yearly maximum pensionable earnings covered by the CPP or QPP at any point during the year, your contribution to the public service pension plan becomes higher. This is indicated on your pay stub as Group PSSA * - high.

Starting with your first pay of 2022, your contribution to the public service pension plan will revert to the lower rate until you reach the yearly maximum pensionable earnings covered by the CPP or QPP again.

In October 2021, the Public Service Pay Centre, or your departmental compensation services for those not served by the Public Service Pay Centre, started contacting current and former employees who received overpayments in 2016 and 2017 and do not yet have a repayment plan in place. The letter provides information about your overpayment and options to repay it.

Visit flexible recovery of overpayments, emergency salary advances and priority payments for more details. You can also contact the Client Contact Centre for more information.

Pension

Pension plan members contribute a percentage of their salary to the plan through payroll deductions. Contribution rates change annually to ensure the sustainability of the public service pension plan.

The pension contribution rates effective January 1, 2022 are now available.

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