Life Events

Definition of Spouse

The opposite or same sex person to whom you are lawfully married as evidenced by a legally certified document of marriage or who has, for at least twelve months, been continuously living with you in a role like that of a marriage partner (common-law). Proof of cohabitation may be required.

Step One: Enter the Event Date 

Enter the event date – this is the date of your marriage or change to common-law status. If it has been more than 31 days from the qualifying life event date, contact benefits@ucalgary.ca.

Step Two: Update Personal Information 

When you enter benefits self-service for the marriage / common-law life event you will be asked to confirm the date of the event, then update or confirm your personal information including:

• name
• home and mailing address
• phone number
• emergency contact information
• banking information, including banking information on the Alberta Blue Cross secure member site.

The personal information can also be updated directly through self-service outside of life events by going to the myUCalgary portal > All about me > My info. 

Documentation may be required to support your request to change personal information. Refer to the directive Personal Information Change Requests for details, including how to update your UCalgary employee user name display or contact information. 

Step Three: Benefit Enrolment 

Review/Update Dependent Data

Confirm all your dependents and beneficiaries and add any new dependents and/or beneficiaries. You will need to ensure that you enter the date of birth for all dependents and click the “Student” box as appropriate.

Health/Dental 

Click on the “Enrol” button for each benefit to ensure your dependents have been added. 

Flexible Credits and Spending Accounts

If you experience a qualified life event and change your health and dental options, your flex credits may be impacted. Excess credits allocated to your Spending Account(s) are granted on a “use it or lose it” basis. Credits may be adjusted and any unspent credits will be forfeited and replaced with a new pro-rated amount based on your new status.

If your life event doesn't result in a family status change and you elect to continue with the same health and dental option choices, your excess credits will remain as you previously allocate.

Life Insurance/Accidental Death and Dismemberment Insurance (AD&D)

Click on the “Enrol” button for each of these benefits to add your spouse as a beneficiary. You can allocate up to 100% of your benefit to any of the individuals listed on this page as either a primary or a secondary beneficiary. 

An important consideration for any beneficiaries under the age of 18 is to name a Trustee. You can do this on the paper form. The Trustee is responsible for the funds until the child reaches age 18 otherwise the funds will go to a Public Trustee.

Optional Insurances

At this time, you may choose to enrol or discontinue in any Optional Life Insurance, AD&D or Critical Illness. Ensure you confirm each benefit to elect or discontinue coverage. For more information regarding coverage, cost and evidence of insurability requirements, refer to the MaPS Benefits.

Pension Plan

To have your spouse named as your pension partner for UAPP click on the “Confirm” button to enter your pension information tab. Once in the pension tab scroll down to name your beneficiaries. Your spouse, if you have one, is automatically your pension beneficiary. You may designate a non-spousal beneficiary in the event you do not have a spouse at the time of your death. To properly populate the form, you MUST enter your spouse as 100% primary beneficiary. Secondary beneficiaries are used to designate your non-spousal beneficiaries only.

Once you have completed the benefit submission you need to print the Group Benefits - Beneficiary Designation form, and the UAPP Designation of Spouse and Non-Spouse Beneficiary. Please print off both forms, sign and send to HR via campus mail. The paper form with original signature is required and legally binding in the event of a claim. 

Step Four: Follow Instructions to Complete and Submit Life Event 

Once your submission is processed, you will receive new benefit ID cards within 4 – 6 weeks.

Other Considerations

Contact the Alberta Health Care Insurance Plan to notify of the change.

Birth/adoption is used when you have a new dependent child, either through birth or adoption.

While you are on maternity or parental leave, you will not have access to self service and will need to contact Human Resources to update your information by emailing benefits@ucalgary.ca. 

Step One: Enter the Event Date 

Enter the event date – this is the date of the adoption or the birth of the child. If it has been more than 31 days from the qualifying life event date, contact benefits@ucalgary.ca. The event date may not be the same as the date of birth of the child, in the case of an adoption. You will enter the date of birth of the child when you enter the Benefits Enrolment page.

Step Two: Benefit Enrolment 

Review/Update Dependent Data

Confirm all of your current dependents/beneficiaries and add your new dependent(s) and beneficiaries. You will need to ensure that you enter the date of birth for all dependents and click the “Student” box as appropriate.

Health/Dental

Click on the “Enrol” button for each benefit to ensure your dependents have been added. 

Flexible Credits and Spending Accounts

If you experience a qualified life event and change your health and dental options, your flex credits may be impacted. Excess credits allocated to your Spending Account(s) are granted on a “use it or lose it” basis. Credits may be adjusted and any unspent credits will be forfeited and replaced with a new pro-rated amount based on your new status.

If your life event doesn't result in a family status change and you elect to continue with the same health and dental option choices, your excess credits will remain as you previously allocate.

Life Insurance/Accidental Death and Dismemberment (AD&D) Insurance

Click on the “Enrol" button to enter your basic Life/AD&D insurance information tab. You can allocate up to a combined total of 100% of your benefit to any of the individuals listed on this page as either a primary or a secondary beneficiary. An individual can either be a primary or secondary beneficiary and both need to total to 100%. 

An important consideration for any beneficiaries under the age of 18, is to name a Trustee. You can do this on the paper form. The Trustee is responsible for the funds until the child reaches age 18 otherwise the funds will go to a Public Trustee.

Optional Insurances

At this time, you may choose to enrol or discontinue in any Optional Life Insurance, AD&D or Critical Illness. Ensure you confirm each benefit to elect or discontinue coverage. For more information regarding coverage, cost and evidence of insurability requirements, refer to the MaPS Benefits.

Pension Plan

To have your spouse named as your pension partner for UAPP click on the “Confirm” button to enter your pension information tab. Once in the pension tab scroll down to name your beneficiaries. Your spouse, if you have one, is automatically your pension beneficiary. You may designate a non-spousal beneficiary in the event you do not have a spouse at the time of your death. To properly populate the form, you must enter your spouse as 100% primary beneficiary.

Once you have completed the benefit submission you need to print the Group Benefits - Beneficiary Designation form, and the UAPP Designation of Spouse and Non-Spouse Beneficiary. Please print off both forms, sign and send to HR via campus mail. The paper form with original signature is required and legally binding in the event of a claim. 

Step Three: Follow Instructions to Complete and Submit Life Event 

Once your submission is processed, you will receive new benefit ID cards within 4–6 weeks.

Other Considerations

Contact the Alberta Health Care Insurance Plan to notify of the change.

At the time of legal separation, you may remove your spouse from your Health and Dental plans, as well as re-designate your beneficiary for your Life Insurance plan. You cannot remove your spouse as beneficiary of your pension plan until your divorce is finalized. Once your divorce is finalized, your former spouse is no longer eligible for coverage under the Health and Dental plan, or any Optional Spousal Life Insurance.

Step One: Enter the Event Date and Update Personal Information 

You will first be asked the event date – this is the date of the divorce or legal separation. If it has been more than 31 days from the qualifying life event date, contact benefits@ucalgary.ca.  

Update or confirm your personal information including:

• name, you can update this in the event if you are changing your name with your marriage or divorce
• home and mailing address
• phone number
• emergency contact information
• banking information, including banking information on the Alberta Blue Cross secure member site.

The personal information can also be updated directly through self-service outside of the benefits self-service by going to the myUCalgary portal under All about me > My info. 

Documentation may be required to support your request to change personal information. Refer to the directive Personal Information Change Requests for details, including how to update your UCalgary employee username display or contact information. 

Step Two: Benefit Enrolment 

Review/Update Dependent Data

Confirm all of your current dependents/beneficiaries and update your spouse/common-law partner to ex-spouse/ex-common-law partner. You will need to ensure that you enter the date of birth for all dependents and click the “Student” box as appropriate. You cannot remove the ex-spouse from this list as it is required for historical purposes. Once you have changed the relationship to ex-spouse/ex-common-law partner they will no longer be eligible for benefits but will remain on the list of potential beneficiaries.

Health/Dental

Once your spouse/common-law partner has been updated to ex-spouse/ex-common-law partner, proceed to each benefit individual benefit by clicking on the “Enrol" button to ensure the correct dependents are covered under your extended health and dental benefits.  If your eligible dependents are not included on the list of dependents, return to the Review/Update Dependent data page to verify they are listed there, their relationship to you and their date of birth.

Flexible Credits and Spending Accounts

If you experience a qualified life event and change your health and dental options, your flex credits may be impacted. Excess credits allocated to your Spending Account(s) are granted on a “use it or lose it” basis. Credits may be adjusted and any unspent credits will be forfeited and replaced with a new pro-rated amount based on your new status.

If your life event doesn't result in a family status change and you elect to continue with the same health and dental option choices, your excess credits will remain as you previously allocate.

Life Insurance/Accidental Death & Dismemberment Life (AD&D) Insurance

Click on the “Enrol” button for each of these benefits to update your beneficiaries or to remove your ex-spouse/common-law partner as a beneficiary. Your ex-spouse/common-law partner will remain on the list, but you do not have to allocate any portion of your life insurance to them. You can allocate up to 100% of your benefit to any of the individuals listed on this page as either a primary or a secondary beneficiary.

An important consideration for any beneficiaries under the age of 18 is to name a Trustee. You can do this on the paper form. The Trustee is responsible for the funds until the child reaches age 18 otherwise the funds will go to a Public Trustee.

Optional Insurances

At this time, you may choose to enrol or discontinue in any Optional Life Insurance, AD&D or Critical Illness. Ensure you confirm each benefit to elect or discontinue coverage. For more information regarding coverage, cost and evidence of insurability requirements, refer to the MaPS Benefits.

Be sure to discontinue coverage for your spouse under any current optional coverages otherwise deductions will continue.

Pension Plan

To have your spouse named as your pension partner for UAPP click on the “Confirm” button to enter your pension information tab. Once in the pension tab scroll down to name your beneficiaries.  Your spouse, if you have one, is automatically your pension beneficiary. You may designate a non-spousal beneficiary in the event you do not have a spouse at the time of your death. To properly populate the form, you must enter your spouse as 100% primary beneficiary. Secondary beneficiaries are used to designate your non-spousal beneficiaries only. 

Once you have completed the benefit submission you need to print the Group Benefits - Beneficiary Designation form, and the UAPP Designation of Spouse and Non-Spouse Beneficiary. Please print off both forms, sign and send to HR via campus mail. The paper form with original signature is required and legally binding in the event of a claim. 

Step Three: Follow Instructions to Complete and Submit Life Event 

Once your submission is processed, you will receive new benefit ID cards within 4-6 weeks.

Other Considerations

Contact the Alberta Health Care Insurance Plan to notify of the change.

If your spouse has had a significant gain or loss of benefit coverage, you may have the ability to make new option choices to ensure you have appropriate coverage for yourself and your family. You will be required to provide proof of your spouse’s coverage change to benefits@ucalgary.ca.

Step One: Enter the Event Date 

Enter the date coverage was changed.

Step Two: Benefit Enrolment 

Review/Update Dependent Data

Confirm all of your dependents and beneficiaries and update as necessary. You will need to ensure that you enter the date of birth for all dependents and click the “Student” box as appropriate.

Health/Dental

Confirm each benefit to ensure your dependents are covered. 

Flexible Credits and Spending Accounts

If you experience a qualified life event and change your health and dental options, your flex credits may be impacted. Excess credits allocated to your Spending Account(s) are granted on a “use it or lose it” basis. Credits may be adjusted and any unspent credits will be forfeited and replaced with a new pro-rated amount based on your new status.

If your life event doesn't result in a family status change and you elect to continue with the same health and dental option choices, your excess credits will remain as you previously allocate.

Life Insurance/Accidental Death and Dismemberment (AD&D) Insurance

Click on the “Enrol" button for each of these benefits to add your spouse as a beneficiary. You can allocate up to 100% of your benefit to any of the individuals listed on this page as either a primary or a secondary beneficiary.

An important consideration for any beneficiaries under the age of 18 is to name a trustee. You can do this on the paper form.  The Trustee is responsible for the funds until the child reaches age 18 otherwise the funds will go to a Public Trustee.

Optional Insurances

At this time, you may choose to enrol or discontinue in any Optional Life Insurance, AD&D or Critical Illness. Ensure you confirm each benefit to elect or discontinue coverage. For more information regarding coverage, cost and evidence of insurability requirements, refer to the MaPS Benefits.

Pension Plan

To have your spouse named as your pension partner for UAPP click on the “Confirm” button to enter your pension information tab. Once in the pension tab scroll down to name your beneficiaries. Your spouse, if you have one, is automatically your pension beneficiary. You may designate a non-spousal beneficiary in the event you do not have a spouse at the time of your death. To properly populate the form, you MUST enter your spouse as 100% primary beneficiary. Secondary beneficiaries are used to designate your non-spousal beneficiaries only. 

Once you have completed the benefit submission you need to print the Group Benefits - Beneficiary Designation form, and the UAPP Designation of Spouse and Non-Spouse Beneficiary. Please print off both forms, sign and send to HR via campus mail. The paper form with original signature is required and legally binding in the event of a claim. 

Step Three: Follow Instructions to Complete and Submit Life Event 

Once your submission is processed, you will receive new benefit ID cards within 4–6 weeks.

Other Considerations

Contact the Alberta Health Care Insurance Plan to notify of the change.

A family status change means that when you update your dependent information you will move from family to couple or single level coverage or from single to couple or family coverage.  It is most often used to when your dependent child reaches age 21 and is no longer a student. Refer to this guide to update overage dependents.

If your family status does not change you should use the Dependent/Beneficiary Update event. For example, when you want to remove a dependent child who is over age 21 but you still have other dependents you would remain in family coverage.

Definition of Dependents

Spouse - the opposite or same sex person to whom you are lawfully married as evidenced by a legally certified document of marriage or who has, for at least 12 months, been continuously living with you in a role like that of a marriage partner (common-law). Proof of cohabitation may be required.

Child - eligible dependents include unmarried, unemployed dependent children, under the age of 21. Children between ages 21 - 24 are eligible if attending an accredited educational institution, college, or university, on a full-time basis. Children of a common-law spouse are eligible if they are living with you.

Step One: Enter the Event Date 

Enter the date of the event.

Step Two: Benefit Enrolment 

Review/Update Dependent Data

Confirm your dependents and beneficiaries. You will need to ensure that you enter the date of birth for all dependents and click the “Student” box as appropriate. To remove an overage dependent, unclick the “Student” box and update their status to "Adult Child". The child will remain under your list of beneficiaries but will not be an eligible dependent for benefits.

Health/Dental

Confirm each benefit to ensure the correct dependents are covered. 

Flexible Credits and Spending Accounts

If you experience a qualified life event and change your health and dental options, your flex credits may be impacted. Excess credits allocated to your Spending Account(s) are granted on a “use it or lose it” basis. Credits may be adjusted and any unspent credits will be forfeited and replaced with a new pro-rated amount based on your new status.

If your life event doesn't result in a family status change and you elect to continue with the same health and dental option choices, your excess credits will remain as you previously allocate.

Life/Accidental Death and Dismemberment (AD&D) Insurance

Click on the “Enrol” button for each of these benefits to update your beneficiaries. You can allocate up to 100% of your benefit to any of the individuals listed on this page as either a primary or a secondary beneficiary.

An important consideration for any beneficiaries under the age of 18 is to name a Trustee. You can do this on the paper form. The Trustee is responsible for the funds until the child reaches age 18 otherwise the funds will go to a Public Trustee.

Optional Insurances

At this time, you may choose to enrol or discontinue in any Optional Life Insurance, AD&D or Critical Illness. Ensure you confirm each benefit to elect or discontinue coverage. For more information regarding coverage, cost and evidence of insurability requirements, refer to the MaPS Benefits.

Pension Plan

To have your spouse named as your pension partner for UAPP click on the “Confirm” button to enter your pension information tab. Once in the pension tab scroll down to name your beneficiaries. Your spouse, if you have one, is automatically your pension beneficiary. You may designate a non-spousal beneficiary in the event you do not have a spouse at the time of your death. To properly populate the form, you MUST enter your spouse as 100% primary beneficiary. Secondary beneficiaries are used to designate your non-spousal beneficiaries only. 

Once you have completed the benefit submission you need to print the Group Benefits - Beneficiary Designation form, and the UAPP Designation of Spouse and Non-Spouse Beneficiary. Please print off both forms, sign and send to HR via campus mail. The paper form with original signature is required and legally binding in the event of a claim. 

Step Three: Follow Instructions to Complete and Submit Life Event 

Once your submission is processed, you will receive new benefit ID cards within 4-6 weeks.

Other Considerations

Contact the Alberta Health Care Insurance Plan to notify of the change.

Use this event to add or remove a dependent when it doesn’t change your family status (single to family or family to single). For example, use this event to confirm a dependent is a full time student or to update your beneficiary without changing your level of coverage. Refer to this guide to update overage dependents. You may also use this event to add a new beneficiary. Learn more about naming beneficiaries.

Step One: Enter the Event Date 

Enter the date of the event.

Step Two: Benefit Enrolment 

Review/Update Dependent Data

Update your dependents and beneficiaries. You will need to ensure that you enter the date of birth for all dependents and click the “Student” box as appropriate. To remove an overage dependent, unclick the “Student” box. The child will remain under your list of dependents/beneficiaries, as they can still be a beneficiary but the will not be an eligible dependent for benefits.

Health/Dental

Confirm each benefit to ensure the correct dependents are covered. 

Life Insurance/Accidental Death & Dismemberment Insurance

Click on the “Enrol” button for each of these benefits to update your beneficiaries. You can allocate up to 100% of your benefit to any of the individuals listed on this page as either a primary or a secondary beneficiary.

An important consideration for any beneficiaries under the age of 18 is to name a Trustee. You can do this on the paper form. The Trustee is responsible for the funds until the child reaches age 18 otherwise the funds will go to a Public Trustee.

Optional Insurances

At this time, you may choose to enrol or discontinue in any Optional Life Insurance, AD&D or Critical Illness. Ensure you confirm each benefit to elect or discontinue coverage. For more information regarding coverage, cost and evidence of insurability requirements, refer to the MaPS Benefits.

Pension Plan 

To have your spouse named as your pension partner for UAPP click on the “Confirm” button to enter your pension information tab. Once in the pension tab scroll down to name your beneficiaries. Your spouse, if you have one, is automatically your pension beneficiary. You may designate a non-spousal beneficiary in the event you do not have a spouse at the time of your death. To properly populate the form, you must enter your spouse as 100% primary beneficiary. Secondary beneficiaries are used to designate your non-spousal beneficiaries only. 

Once you have completed the benefit submission you need to print the Group Benefits - Beneficiary Designation form, and the UAPP Designation of Spouse and Non-Spouse Beneficiary. Please print off both forms, sign and send to HR via campus mail. The paper form with original signature is required and legally binding in the event of a claim. 

Step Three: Follow Instructions to Complete and Submit Life Event 

Once your submission is processed, you will receive new benefit ID cards within 4–6 weeks.

Other Considerations

Contact the Alberta Health Care Insurance Plan to notify of the change.

When the loss is the death of someone close to us, the grieving process can affect both our home and work life. The Employee Family Assistance Plan (EFAP) can offer confidential support and information during these times. Information for the EFAP provider is located on the Wellbeing and Worklife webpage. 

Email benefits@ucalgary.ca and we will make all the necessary updates for you.

Contact the Alberta Health Care Insurance Plan to notify of the change.

This section provides staff with information about what happens to your benefits when you turn age 65. Staff, age 65 and older, who continue to work in an eligible employment category, continue to participate in the University’s group benefit plans.

Coverage continues for Extended Health and Dental, Flexible Spending Account, and Group Life Insurance for you and your eligible dependents. Review the following, which outlines benefit changes and other important information.

Alberta Health Care

Alberta Health and Wellness will contact you three months prior to your 65^th birthday regarding application for Alberta Seniors Benefit. You can verify your information through Alberta Health through most Registry Offices.

Health/Dental

The Alberta Seniors Benefit, administered by Alberta Blue Cross, will become first payer for the individual who is age 65+ when having prescriptions filled. If you have coverage under the Alberta Seniors Benefit, you will be required to present both the seniors benefit card as well as your university Alberta Blue Cross ID card when accessing services from the pharmacy and/or dentist.

Canada Pension Plan (CPP)

You have the option of applying for benefits to commence any time after age 60. Applications for CPP should be made six months prior to the date of commencement. For more information and application forms, refer to the CPP website.

If you elect to commence receipt of CPP benefits, it is important that you provide the Payroll Office with a copy of the confirmation letter received from the Canada Pension Plan.

If you continue working while receiving CPP pension:

• Age 60 to 65: CPP contributions are mandatory and additional CPP pension accrues
• Age 65 to 70: CPP contributions continue and additional CPP pension accrues unless file a form with the Canada Revenue Agency (provide a copy to the University's Payroll Services) found on CPP website.
• Over age 70: CPP contributions stop and no additional CPP pension accrues

Old Age Security

You are entitled to receive Old Age Security in addition to CPP at age 65 regardless of whether or not employment continues. OAS can be delayed for up to five years in exchange for an increased amount. For information and application forms, refer to the OAS website.

Long Term Disability Insurance 

The termination age for Long Term Disability is age 65 less the qualifying period (6 months), or retirement, whichever is earlier. Premiums end at the termination age. If you are in receipt of Long Term Disability benefits, payments will end at the end of the month in which you attain age 65.

Information regarding preparing for retirement and retirement process, including obtaining pension estimates.

Health/Dental

Coverage ends on the date of termination. Many providers such as Alberta Blue Cross as well as the Alberta Retired Teachers Association provide individual health and dental coverage. For more information:

• Alberta Blue Cross Individual and retiree coverage is available. As a UCalgary employee, you are eligible for the preferred pricing through the Alberta Blue Cross Retiree Plan. More information on the retiree plan can be found from the Alberta Blue Cross Retiree Booklet and Retiree plan FAQs.
• Alberta Retired Teachers Association

Flexible Spending Account

Terminates on the date of termination. Claims for eligible expenses must be submitted to Alberta Blue Cross within 30 days of termination. Receipts must be dated up to the date of termination.

Life Insurance – Conversion Privilege

Upon receipt of an employee's request to resign or retire from the University of Calgary, Life Insurance will end on the date of termination. Within 31 days of termination, a conversion privilege is available and you may convert to an individual policy without medical evidence of insurability. For more information, refer to the Application for Conversion form.

In order to apply for the Conversion Privilege, contact Totalrewards@ucalgary.ca who will complete part 1, scan and email you the application to complete sections 2 and 3 and send to Manulife Insurance.

If you are over age 65 contact Manulife for applicable rates.

Child Optional Life Insurance

Coverage ends on the date of termination.

Accidental Death and Dismemberment (AD&D)

Coverage ceases on date of termination or retirement. If you are under age 70 and it is within 31 days of termination, a conversion privilege (for both Basic and Optional coverage) is available. Contact SSQ Financial Group directly for any questions regarding the application for the conversion. For more information, refer to the Application for Conversion form. 

In order to apply for the conversion privilege please email totalrewards@ucalgary.ca. The Total Rewards team will complete part 1 of the conversion application and email that to you to complete the remaining portions and send directly to the insurer.

Long Term Disability

Coverage ends on the date of termination.

Pension Plan

Purchase of eligible previous or leave service would need to be completed within 30 days of termination. Contact a Pension Analyst, Total Rewards immediately at 403.220.5461 for information and related deadlines. Purchase of eligible service immediately prior to termination will delay production of termination options package.

Within six to eight weeks after the last day of employment, the UAPP Administration Centre will provide an options package directly to the member. Ensure your current address is provided on PeopleSoft.