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Spousal Optional Life Benefits

To: All OSSTF Members

From: Donna Morrison, Executive Director, OSSTF Benefits

May 31, 2019

The OSSTF Benefits plan includes Optional Life Benefits for eligible members, their spouses, and their children.

This spousal optional life benefit currently has a provision that states that optional life benefits for a participating spouse terminate at the end of the month following the spouse’s attainment of age 65, or the member’s retirement, whichever is earlier.

We are pleased to advise that this provision of the OSSTF Benefits program is changing to remove the age 65 limitation for optional life benefits for participating spouses. Commencing June 1 st , 2019, spousal optional life benefits may be continued up to the date of the member’s retirement, with no restrictions based on the age of the spouse.

Member and Spousal Optional Life benefits are subject to age banded rates which have different rates based on participants’ ages in 5 year increments. Therefore, the continuation of spousal optional life benefits beyond the spouse’s attainment of age 65 will be at a higher level of premium when compared to the cost up to age 65.

Please note the following:

  • The monthly premium will be based on the amount of spousal optional life elected and can be accessed by logging into member portal through OTIP.com, and accessing “My Benefits”, or by calling OTIP Benefits Services at 1 866 783 6847.
  • Participation in the Optional Life benefits is voluntary, and any Optional Life coverage can be terminated at any time on a go forward basis. The termination or reduction of Optional Life can be elected by members on the member portal (login through OTIP.com) under “My Benefits”, or by calling OTIP Benefits Services at 1 866 783 6847.
  • Spousal optional life benefits can be reinstated for eligible spouses of active members whose optional life benefits terminated because of the spouse’s attainment of age 65 since transition into the OSSTF Benefits plan. Members who wish the reinstatement of the spousal optional life benefits in these circumstances should contact OTIP Benefits Services between June 1 st and July 31 st 2019 at 1 866 783 6847.
  • Any application for new spousal optional life benefits, or an increase to current amounts, is subject to Manulife’s approval of evidence of insurability. Applications for increases can be initiated by logging into member portal through OTIP.com, and accessing “My Benefits”, or by calling OTIP Benefits Services at 1 866 783 6847.
  • All other benefits under the OSSTF Benefits plan are unchanged.

Questions about this notice? Please contact Donna Morrison directly at donna.morrison@osstfbenefits.ca.


The information in this document is provided by OSSTF Benefits for general information only. OSSTF Benefits endeavours to have all information current and accurate. We make no representations or warranties of any kind, express or implied, about the completeness, accuracy, reliability, or suitability of the information included. All information is subject to change without notice.


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