Inside this Issue:
- Billing Deadline
- My SunLife
- 2025 EI Maximum
- Additions, Changes & Terminations
- We work for you
Stay Connected: Latest Forms and Information Online
Download any forms you need to manage your employees’ benefits. We have made it simple. Visit the Forms page and download what you need – when you need it. Find the latest forms:
Contact us:
Email: GroupBenefits@ara.bc.ca
Phone: (604) 419-3629
Fax: (604) 419-0299
Billing Deadline
Please ensure any changes in staffing, coverage, etc… are submitted prior to January 28, 2025 for December 2024 billing.
All changes need to be in place in order to make the billing cycle. Updates filed after the 27th will show on the following month’s billing.
For New Addition, Changes, and Terminations, we would prefer a scanned and emailed copy to GroupBenefits@ara.bc.ca. We still need the originally signed enrollment form and change forms if you changing beneficiary, please mail these to the ARA office as normal.
New Hire email is sent out at the end of the Month
Monthly Billing (employee breakdown) will be emailed at the end of each month
My Sun Life
The ultimate self-serve experience
Fast, Easy and Convenient – Paperless!
Here are just a few of things you can do on member website:
- Sign up for direct deposit and submit claims online for instant processing
- View claims statements as well as claims history
- View details of what’s covered under the plan
- Check when you are eligible for your next glasses or lens purchase, or next dental check-up
- Print an “all-in-one”coverage card – ID Card, Drug Card, and Travel Card
- Find out medical coverage information before travelling out-of-province
- Print and download claim forms
- Update personal information
- Complete a wellness assessment
- Learn how to achieve a healthy lifestyle
Increase in 2025 EI Maximum Insurable Earnings
The federal government announced the 2025 EI rates and maximums.
| New rates effective January 1, 2025 | |
|---|---|
| Maximum insurance earnings | $65,700 |
| Maximum EI benefit | $695 |
This increase affects Short-Term Disability (STD) plans where:
- The maximum STD benefit reflects the EI maximum weekly benefit ($695 for 2025),
or
- The EI maximum earnings amount ($65,700 for 2025) is used to work out the STD benefit amount
ARA have updated their system so that the STD claim payments reflect the increase in EI maximum. If your contract is based on current allowable EI insurable earnings you do not need a contract amendment. These updates become effective January 1, 2025, and are reflected in your January Billing.
Additions, Changes and Terminations
The 31 Day Rule
Employees have 31 days from the date of any life event change to make their change to their benefit plan. That means, they have 31 days from the date of marriage to enroll their spouse onto their coverage. 31 days from the birth of a child. If the required documentation is not received by the ARA office, late entrant requirements and restrictions would apply.
How to enrol new employees
Download the Enrollment form from the ARA website. Scan and email the completed Enrollment Form to the ARA office. We require the original signed Enrollment Form as it is a legal document. Please mail the original Enrollment Form to the ARA office.
How to update employee information
Download the Change Card from the ARA website. Scan and email the completed Change Card to the ARA office. We require the original signed Change Card. Please mail the original Change Card to the ARA office.
Update Earnings
Disability benefits and some Life Insurance volumes are based on the earnings we have recorded at the time of a claim. Please be sure earnings are up to date.
Terminate an employee’s benefits
Scan and email the completed Termination Form to GroupBenefits@ara.bc.ca with the employee’s Name, ID number and the termination date. Terminated employees (retiring or quitting) may convert their life insurance, dental and extended health benefits to a private plan.
We Work For You
As your plan administrators we work for you and are here to help. We will post details on any updates on administrative procedures as processes evolve. If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to call or email them to us. We get answers to you as soon as possible.