My Pension
Changes and Leaves
Personal Changes and Leaves
Change is the one constant in life – whether it’s changing jobs, starting a family, health problems, depending on the type of change, your HOOPP benefit may come into play.
How your plan works when you can’t
If the unthinkable happens and a disability leaves you unable to work for extended periods of time – or not at all – you can rest assured that your Plan can help to minimize some of your financial worries.
HOOPP provides two disability benefits:
- Free accrual - contributory service for which you do not contribute; this allows you to continue to build a pension as if you were at work
- Disability pension - an immediate lifetime pension, with no reductions for early retirement
To be considered for disability benefits, there are a number of steps to take, including the submission and approval of your medical forms. HOOPP is here to help. By contacting our Client Services, we can walk you through those steps and determine the benefit for which you may qualify. For more information, read Here For You: Disability Guide.
Taking a Leave
As outlined in the Employment Standards Act (Ontario), you can choose whether or not to make contributions for:
- pregnancy leave
- parental leave
- family medical leave
- emergency leave
You can also choose to make contributions for strike or lock-out periods.
If you decide to contribute for these periods of time, your employer must contribute as well.
It’s important to remember that contributing for a leave will increase your basic lifetime pension. You can make HOOPP contributions while you’re away, either during your leave or as a lump sum no later than six months from the end of the leave. Please contact HOOPP to discuss which option works best for you.
Long-Term Leaves
For employer-approved leaves – with the exception of pregnancy/parental leaves, family medical leaves and emergency leaves – that are 31 days or more, members may contribute as long as the employer approves the request to contribute.
Short-Term Leaves
For employer-approved leaves – with the exception of pregnancy/parental leaves, family medical leaves and emergency leaves – that are less than 31 days or more, contributions are mandatory.
Family Changes
HOOPP is with you through all life changes. When you experience a personal change, it's a good idea to let HOOPP know.
Getting married
Your qualifying spouse is, by law, your primary beneficiary for HOOPP benefits, unless a spousal waiver is signed. When you retire, your qualifying spouse remains the first beneficiary for any benefits payable upon your death, even if you later divorce or remarry.
If you marry, re-marry or enter a new spousal relationship after you retire, your spouse may be able to receive benefits upon your death. It is important to contact HOOPP for more details as there are many factors that need to be addressed.
