Your Coverage — Plan EB
As an SD54 teacher, you are enrolled in Plan EB of the BCTF–BCSTA Group Life Insurance Plan, administered by Manulife. Your benefit is paid to your named beneficiary in the event of your death — from any cause, with no exclusions.
Your coverage equals three times your annual earnings, rounded up to the next higher multiple of $1,000 if not already a multiple of $1,000, with a maximum of $300,000.
$70,500 salary → 3 × $70,500 = $211,500 → rounded up = $212,000 coverage
$80,000 salary → 3 × $80,000 = $240,000 → already a multiple → $240,000 coverage
$105,000 salary → 3 × $105,000 = $315,000 → exceeds cap → $300,000 coverage
Coverage adjusts automatically when your salary changes (e.g., moving up the salary grid each year).
Eligibility & Enrollment
All BCTF members in the SD54 bargaining unit are eligible for Plan EB. Coverage begins on your first day of employment, provided you are actively at work.
Designating a Beneficiary
You must name who will receive your life insurance benefit. Common choices are a spouse, children, or your estate. You may also name a contingent (backup) beneficiary who receives the benefit if your primary beneficiary predeceases you.
Primary Beneficiary
The person (or persons) who receive the death benefit. Typically a spouse or common-law partner.
Contingent Beneficiary
A backup recipient if your primary beneficiary dies before you. Often children or another family member.
Updating Your Designation
Life changes — review your beneficiary after marriage, divorce, birth of a child, or death of a named beneficiary. Contact your school district HR office to update your form.
If No Beneficiary Is Named
The benefit is paid to your estate and distributed according to your will or provincial intestacy rules, which can delay payment and involve probate costs.
Your Premiums
The amount you contribute each month is set out in your collective agreement with SD54. Premiums are deducted from your pay during the school year. If you are employed through to June 30, your coverage continues through the summer months without additional deductions.
Coverage Continuity
Your coverage can continue in several situations where you are not actively working:
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Approved leave of absence — Coverage can be maintained for up to 3 years during an approved leave, provided you are not working more than 20 hours per week.
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Transfer between districts — Coverage from your former district continues to the end of the month. Coverage with your new district begins the following month (or September 1 if the transfer happens mid-summer).
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Summer break — If you are actively employed through June 30, coverage continues automatically through the summer without any additional premiums.
Disability — Waiver of Premium
If you become totally disabled before age 65, you may apply for a Life Waiver of Premium. If approved, your life insurance coverage continues in full — without you paying any premiums — for as long as you remain disabled.
How to Apply
Contact Manulife (1-866-318-2727) or your school district HR office to request the Waiver of Premium application package.
Qualification Period
There is an initial 6-month waiting period before the waiver takes effect. Continue paying premiums during this period.
When Coverage Ends
Plan EB coverage ends at the earlier of the following:
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Retirement — Coverage terminates at the end of the month you retire.
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Age 70 — Coverage terminates at the end of the month you turn 70, regardless of employment status.
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End of employment — If you leave SD54 for any other reason, coverage ends at the end of that month.
Conversion Privilege
When your group coverage ends (due to retirement, termination, or leaving the plan), you have the right to convert to an individual life insurance policy without a medical exam or health questions.
Time Limit
You must apply within 31 days of your group coverage ending. After 31 days this right is lost permanently.
Maximum Amount
You can convert up to $200,000 (or your group coverage amount, whichever is less) with no evidence of insurability required.
How to Convert
Contact Manulife directly at 1-866-318-2727 to request the conversion application before your 31-day window closes.
Why This Matters
This is especially valuable if your health has changed and you could not otherwise qualify for individual coverage. Don't miss the window.
Optional Additional Coverage
Want more coverage than Plan EB provides? BCTF members can purchase optional voluntary life insurance through the BCTF Advantage Program, underwritten by iA Financial Group. This is separate from your group plan and paid entirely by you.
Visit bctf.ca/benefits or contact the BCTF directly to learn about optional coverage amounts and rates available to SD54 members.
How to Make a Claim
In the event of a death, the beneficiary (or executor of the estate) should contact Manulife as soon as possible to initiate the claims process. Your school district plan administrator can also help guide the family through the required paperwork.
Manulife Group Benefits
1-866-318-2727 · Monday – Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. PST
You can also contact your school district HR/plan administrator for assistance with claim forms.
This page summarizes Plan EB of the BCTF–BCSTA Group Life Insurance Plan. For full plan details, policy documents, or questions not covered here, contact Manulife or the BCTF directly.