HOOPP

Supporting members during the COVID-19 outbreak

This is an unprecedented time for HOOPP members. The tireless commitment of healthcare workers to serving our communities during the COVID-19 outbreak is truly inspiring. We want to express our deepest thanks for all that you are doing.

To help keep you informed, we have created this page and will update it with important HOOPP messages, service updates and answers to commonly asked member questions. 


Thank you to our members working on the front lines who continue to care for our friends, families and loved ones. Our choices during this pandemic matter, and one way we can help protect each other and our communities is to download the COVID Alert app.

Canada's COVID Alert app is designed to inform people of possible exposure to the virus and provide advice on what to do next. Together, we can all do our part to slow the spread of COVID-19 and prevent future outbreaks – download the app.

Message for members

A message from HOOPP President & CEO Jeff Wendling

"We are committed to providing you with the pension that you have earned, and the peace of mind that you deserve."

HOOPP's President and CEO shares his thanks and reassurance about members' pension security in the face of COVID-19.

Watch the video message

Thank you from all of us

Although we’re physically apart, HOOPP staff stand in solidarity with the healthcare heroes on the frontlines of the COVID-19 pandemic – many of whom are also our friends, family members and loved ones.

Watch our thank you message

A message from Steven McCormick, Senior Vice President, Plan Operations

"We are closely monitoring the evolving COVID-19 (coronavirus) situation and know that this is an extremely challenging time for you as you work tirelessly to serve our communities. We would like to express our deepest gratitude to all our members – the brave and hardworking individuals who are on the front lines dealing with the COVID-19 outbreak. Your professionalism and commitment to providing the care and support your patients need during this time is inspiring and greatly appreciated."

Read the full message from Steven McCormick, Senior Vice President, Plan Operations


Service updates

April 15, 2021: Additional eligible period: continued service for members on unpaid emergency leaves, effective April 7, 2021

As Ontario entered a third declared state of emergency, effective April 7, 2021, HOOPP will once again provide continued service for members on unpaid emergency leaves to ensure your pension is protected. Qualifying members on unpaid emergency leaves, or within the first 15 weeks of unpaid health leaves during the state of emergency period, will receive contributory service at no cost to them or their employer.

This benefit has been provided for each declared Ontario state of emergency for the periods starting March 17 2020, January 12 2021, and now April 7, 2021.


March 31, 2021: New eligible period: continued benefits for members on unpaid emergency leaves, effective January 12 to February 9, 2021

As this continues to be a very challenging time, we want to ensure our members’ pensions are protected and can continue to grow. For that reason, HOOPP will provide qualifying members that took an unpaid emergency leave, or were within the first 15 weeks of an unpaid health leave during the Ontario state of emergency from January 12 to February 9, 2021, with contributory service at no cost to them or their employer.

This benefit was provided to members during the 2020 state of emergency, and it will now be provided for the period of provincial declared emergency in early 2021.


July 27, 2020: Update on continued HOOPP benefits for members on unpaid emergency leaves

The Ontario state of emergency order that came into effect on March 17 due to the COVID-19 pandemic ended effective July 24, 2020. As a result, we can confirm the full qualifying period to continue HOOPP benefits at no cost to the member or employer for unpaid emergency leaves, or within the first 15 weeks of unpaid health leaves, is from March 17 to July 24, 2020.

If you are on an unpaid emergency leave or within the first 15 weeks of an unpaid health leave, and your leave continues beyond July 24, you may be eligible to contribute and continue to earn contributory service during your leave. Please contact your employer for more information.


April 24, 2020: In-person pension seminars will be temporarily delivered as webcasts

Please note, in response to guidance provided by the Public Health Agency of Canada relating to mass gatherings, our pension seminars will temporarily be offered as webcasts instead of in-person events. If you had previously registered for an in-person pension seminar, you will be notified of any changes by email. Register for an upcoming webcast here.

 

April 23, 2020: Delay in delivery of cheques

We are committed to ensuring payments from HOOPP are received in a timely manner. However, due to the current environment, we are experiencing delays in processing and mailing cheques. If you are expecting a payment by cheque, please contact our Member Services team to explore other options.


April 16, 2020: Continued HOOPP benefits for members on new unpaid emergency leaves

During these challenging times we understand members may experience disruptions in their regular work, but we want to ensure your pension is protected and can continue to grow. For that reason, HOOPP will provide any member that takes an unpaid emergency leave, or is within the first 15 weeks of an unpaid health leave, with contributory service at no cost to them or their employer.

This means members can continue building their pension based on what they normally would have earned in the Plan, during the unpaid leave. This benefit will apply for the period of emergency declared by the government of Ontario.

We will be providing employers with more administrative information to support this change in the coming weeks.


April 16, 2020: Extension for contribution payments for leaves of absence

To provide continued support for members, we have extended the timeline to make pension contributions following a leave of absence. The current timeline of 6 months from the end of a leave has been extended to 12 months and applies to all leaves of absence.

For members returning to work following a leave, this change will provide additional time and flexibility to plan and coordinate their payment with employers. HOOPP will provide employers with additional information and resources to help them implement this extension.

To minimize any impact to your RRSP contribution room, we recommend that for leaves that end in 2020, you make your pension contributions before April 30, 2021.


April 3, 2020: Extending deadlines on applications for buyback and disability benefits 

To provide our members with more flexibility in the current environment, we have extended the deadline to submit the application and funds to complete a buyback, as well as the deadline for applications for disability benefits. Please contact our Member Services team for details.


March 18, 2020: Submitting documents to HOOPP

During this challenging time, we strongly request that you do not send documents by mail. Please upload them using the Secure Messages feature on HOOPP Connect, or by fax at 416-369-0225. To explore other options, please contact our Member Services team.


March 14, 2020: Pension seminar replaced with live webcast

Please note, our March 14th pension seminar was offered as a webcast instead of an in-person event. To register for a future webcast, select the link below.
> View our upcoming webcasts 


March 12, 2020: Suspension of in-person meetings with HOOPP

To help protect the health and wellness of our members and our employees, HOOPP has temporarily suspended all in-person pension meetings. If you have any questions, please contact our Member Services team at 416-646-6445 or 1-877-43-HOOPP(46677). 


Commonly asked questions

Is the amount of my HOOPP pension going to change? 

No, your HOOPP pension will not change and is calculated according to HOOPP’s pension formula.


Is my pension going to be impacted by COVID-19? 

While COVID-19 has had considerable impact on financial markets and the economy, HOOPP has an excellent track record of successfully weathering market volatility and downturns.

HOOPP manages and invests for the long term, maintaining a large and very diverse portfolio, and applying investment strategies that ensure our assets match our liabilities. As such, we are well positioned to deliver on the pension promise.


I’m retired, but want to return to work to help, what are my options?

Retired members who rejoin the workforce at a HOOPP employer have two options:

  1. You can continue to receive your pension along with your employment income and not re-enrol in HOOPP; or 
  2. You can temporarily suspend your monthly pension payments and re-enrol in HOOPP.

If you have any questions, please contact our Member Services team at 416-646-6445 or 1-877-43-HOOPP(46677). 


What happens to my pension when I pass away?

Your pension provides survivor benefits, which are designed to help protect your loved ones if you pass away before or after retirement. You can learn more about survivor benefits in the Planning for Loved Ones section.

Checking to make sure your spouse and beneficiary information is up to date can give you peace of mind, and it takes only a few minutes. Active and deferred members can use HOOPP Connect to make updates. If you have any questions, or if you are a retired member and wish to change your beneficiary designations, please call our Member Services team at 416-646-6445 or 1-877-43-HOOPP(46677).


Can I withdraw or borrow funds from my pension?

No, members of a defined benefit pension plan such as HOOPP are not permitted by law to withdraw or borrow from their retirement pension. The Ontario Pension Benefits Act restricts access to your pension before retirement and protects your pension from creditors while it remains in the Plan.

If you leave your HOOPP employer before it’s time to start your pension, you will then have the option to keep your pension with HOOPP or transfer it out of the Plan. Transferring your benefit out of HOOPP is a big decision — one that you need to consider carefully.

If you have been advised to withdraw your benefit from the Plan, please be aware that there are many responsibilities – and risks – involved in withdrawing your benefit to invest and manage on your own. We encourage you to learn more about the benefits of keeping your pension with the Plan when leaving a HOOPP employer. Before you make any decisions, contact Member Services.


What precautions is HOOPP taking? 

Following the advice of Canadian health experts and authorities, HOOPP has taken the following precautions to mitigate the risk of potential spread of COVID-19: 

  • Member events/meetings: We are replacing all our in-person member events and meetings – both inside and outside the HOOPP offices – with webcasts, phone calls and/or online communications. Timely communications will be shared with members/registrants and employers regarding any changes that are made to upcoming events.
  • HOOPP staff: We implemented a work-from-home policy for all employees who can perform their functions remotely, and suspended all business travel. 


Will COVID-19, or your precautionary measures, impact HOOPP’s ability to function day-to-day?

No. HOOPP will continue to function effectively and our Member Services team will remain available to support our members’ needs.

 

Will the Ontario government’s temporary pay increase and lump-sum payments be treated as pensionable earnings?

The Ontario government recently announced a temporary increase to the hourly wage for front-line workers such as those working in long-term care, retirement homes, community care, home care and some hospitals.  Additionally, those working more than 100 hours per month will receive a monthly lump-sum payment for four months.

HOOPP defines pensionable earnings as the regular wages or straight-time pay that you receive as part of your base earnings.  Since the pandemic payments are temporary in nature and not part of your regular base earnings, they are not pensionable and you will not make HOOPP contributions on these payments.

 

Will I be eligible to receive continued HOOPP service for my unpaid emergency leave?

Qualifying members on unpaid emergency leaves or within the first 15 weeks of unpaid health leaves during the declared Ontario state of emergency periods will receive contributory service at no cost to them or their employer. This applies for the following declared provincial emergency periods: March 17 to July 24, 2020, January 12 to February 9, 2021, and the current emergency period starting April 7, 2021.

Eligibility for this benefit is based on the specific type of leave you were placed on by your employer (i.e. infectious disease or declared emergency leave) and whether or not you received earnings from your employer while on leave. We have provided education and resources to your employer about the eligibility for this benefit based on the type of leave granted.

If you were eligible for this benefit during the 2020 declared Ontario state of emergency, you will receive a letter from HOOPP confirming that this service has been granted. This information will also be reflected on your 2020 Annual Member Statement.

Throughout this year, we will be collecting this leave information (i.e. infectious disease and declared emergency leave) from your employer and applying the contributory service for the 2021 periods of declared emergency. Early next year, HOOPP will send a letter to qualifying members, confirming that this service has been granted for the 2021 periods of emergency declared by the government of Ontario. This information will also be reflected on the 2021 Annual Member Statement.

 

Where can I go if I have questions about my pension?

Our Member Services team is always willing to answer your questions. You can reach us at (416) 646-6445 or 1-877-43-HOOPP(46677), Monday to Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. 

HOOPP Connect also remains available to provide you with detailed information about your pension, when and where you need it. 

 
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.