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HOOPP
Members Life Changes Health Leaves & Disability Benefits Disability Pension

Disability Pension

HOOPP disability benefits are designed to help provide peace of mind while you are unable to work. They are a valuable feature of your pension, and a simple application process makes them easy to access when you need support.

If you are assessed by HOOPP to be totally and permanently disabled, you will have two options: receiving free accrual or starting a disability pension. Members often elect to receive free accrual because it allows them to continue to grow their pension. However, a disability pension offers immediate access to your pension income, which can help provide financial security.

A disability pension allows you to retire right away (even if you are under age 55) and start a disability pension without early retirement adjustments.

Who is eligible for a disability pension?

To be eligible for a disability pension, you must meet the following criteria:

  • Be employed by a HOOPP employer
  • Under age 65 with less than 35 years of contributory service
  • Have contributed to the Plan before your health leave
  • Assessed by HOOPP as totally and permanently disabled
  • Be on a health leave or receiving free accrual

When can I apply for a disability pension?

There is no qualifying period for a disability pension. If you are totally and permanently disabled, you can apply immediately when you start your health leave. Please contact our Member Services team if you want to apply for a disability pension and have not yet received an application.

Weigh this important decision carefully

There are important factors to consider before starting a disability pension, and we encourage you to reach out to our Member Services team to ensure you understand how this decision impacts your pension, your employment status and other benefits. These considerations include:

  • You must resign from all your HOOPP employers where you were enrolled in the Plan to receive a disability pension, which may mean losing other employment-related benefits such as medical or dental coverage.
  • A disability pension could affect other income-replacement benefits you may be receiving, including long-term disability (LTD) or Workplace Safety and Insurance Board (WSIB) benefits, so we encourage you to check with your benefit provider for more information.
  • When you decide to take a disability pension, you no longer have the option to receive free accrual.

Disability pension vs. early retirement pension

If you are age 55 or over, you also qualify for an early retirement pension from HOOPP. There are key differences between a disability pension and an early retirement pension, and it’s important to understand both options fully before making a decision. For example:

  • A disability pension does not include a bridge benefit, but an early retirement pension does include this additional payment until age 65.

  • A disability pension includes survivor benefits for your qualifying spouse, if you have one. If you pass away within five years of starting your disability pension, your spouse will receive the same monthly payment for the remainder of the five-years. They will then receive a monthly lifetime pension equal to 66 ⅔% of your monthly disability pension. However, unlike an early retirement pension, there is no option to increase it to 80% or 100% when you retire.

Be sure to weigh the pros and cons of free accrual, a disability pension and an early retirement pension as they apply to your personal situation. We encourage you to call our Member Services team for more information about starting a disability pension and we recommend seeking professional advice about this important decision.

Appealing a decision

If you want to receive a disability pension but were not approved for one, you can appeal the decision within 60 days of the date of the decision letter you received from HOOPP.

Contact our Member Services to learn more about your option to appeal. We will review your situation and explain next steps. Please note that appeals are handled by an independent medical examiner (IME) and those costs are covered by HOOPP. However, you are responsible for paying any transportation costs associated with the IME appointment.

FAQs

View all FAQs

How do I apply for disability benefits?

HOOPP will provide you with a copy of our Disability Benefits booklet and the medical forms once you reach 15 weeks of your health leave. You can also contact Member Services or sign in to HOOPP Connect to download the appropriate forms and follow the instructions provided.

HOOPP will review your completed forms to assess whether you meet one of the Plan’s definitions of disability. HOOPP will then contact you to let you know if you qualify for benefits and outline any next steps that are required.

If you are not on an employer-approved health leave, or if you have already retired or ended your membership in the Plan, you are not eligible to receive disability benefits from HOOPP.

What is the disability pension?

A HOOPP disability pension is a benefit that is available to eligible members who become totally and permanently disabled as a result of a physical illness or injury or mental illness. A disability pension provides an immediate unreduced monthly pension that can begin at any age under 65 and will be paid for the rest of your life.

What is the definition of disability?

The benefits you may be eligible to receive will depend on your level of disability, as assessed by HOOPP. We use three different definitions of disability:

  • Partially disabled:

    • You have a physical or mental impairment that HOOPP has determined prevents you from performing duties related to your own job.

  • Totally disabled:

    • You have a physical or mental impairment that HOOPP has determined prevents you from engaging in any employment for which you are reasonably suited by virtue of your education, training or experience.

  • Totally and permanently disabled:

    • You have a physical or mental impairment that HOOPP has determined prevents you from engaging in any employment for which you are reasonably suited by virtue of your education, training or experience and that can reasonably be expected to continue for the remainder of your lifetime.

This document provides a simplified overview of HOOPP's benefits based on the terms of the HOOPP Plan Text at the time of publication. From time to time, HOOPP may amend the HOOPP Plan Text. In cases where the information provided in this document differs from that contained in the HOOPP Plan Text, the HOOPP Plan Text will govern. More details, including the full HOOPP Plan Text and a complete description of the Plan and its benefits, can be found on hoopp.com.