Premiums

The PSBT plan is tailored for our members' needs at the most competitive premium rates available.

The Power Sector Benefit Trust (PSBT) Plan provides Members with excellent coverage from Long-Term Disability coverage to life insurance, from travel assistance to help with finding a specialist. Make sure you are covered when you need it by keeping up to date with your premiums.

Premiums while you're working:

In general, we require a two-month accumulation of funds—collected from payroll deductions—to commence benefits the first day of the next month. One month of funds is necessary to purchase benefits, and the second month of funds is required as an advance payment for the efficient continuation of your benefits coverage.

To learn more and/or to enroll in the PSBT click below.  

Premiums for non-working members:

1) If immediate benefit activation is required before payroll funds are accumulated to reach sufficient funds, a 2-month lump sum payment must be issued to the PowerSector Office.

2) Non-working members* who wish to join the benefit program must submit a cheque to our office for the total amount equaling to six months of premiums. All cheques must be made payable to "The PowerSector Benefit Trust.”
* A non-working member is a member who has had contributions made to the PSBT through a collective agreement or other written arrangement and is no longer on the payroll of the employer that was making the contributions. They are laid off and therefore not working. If a Member returns to work at another employer and contributions start coming in from the new employer, then the Member returns to working member status.

Employed Member Premiums

Single Under 65 Age 65 Age 71 Age 75
Premium $262.52 $175.47 $174.47 $158.23
January 2025 Premium $292.52 $205.47 $204.47 $188.23
Family Under 65 Age 65 Age 71 Age 75
Premium $370.68 $279.10 $277.10 $260.86
January 2025 Premium $400.68 $309.10 $307.10 $290.86
About Employed Contributions
Applicable to members who have accumulated funds in their benefit account to pay for at least one month's premium (outlined below). In most instances, these Members are working. Or, if not working, have accumulated enough funds in their account to pay the minimum premium coverage while unemployed.

Pay-Direct Member Premiums 

Single Under 65 Age 65 Age 71 Age 75
Premium $206.94 $188.31 $187.23 $169.69
January 2025 Premium $239.34 $220.71 $219.63 $202.09
Family Under 65 Age 65 Age 71 Age 75
Premium $323.75 $300.23 $298.07 $280.53
January 2025 Premium $356.15 $332.63 $330.47 $312.93
About Pay-Direct Contributions

Applicable to members who do not have sufficient funds in their benefit account but wish to remain on the Plan. Most often, these are Members who have been laid-off work (and are unable to pay through their employed hours account) or are retired. These Members are required to provide payment on a month-to-month basis.

You may notice these premiums are lower than the employed member premiums. This is because the LTD premium is not included in Pay-Direct Member coverage.

Excess Contributions

Members can request a refund from the Benefit Plan when a Member account has accumulated to an amount greater than nine months of coverage. There are several good reasons to leave your accumulated funds in your Health & Welfare account, rather than withdrawing your funds–it’s beneficial to you and the Membership as a whole.

Building a benefits cushion helps you in the event you become unemployed for reasons such as lay-offs, disability or illness, and retirement. Excess funds pay for your future benefit coverage, so you don’t lose sleep at night. And remember, these contributions were made with pre-tax dollars—if you withdraw them, then you will need to pay the personal taxes on them at your current taxation rate! The interest accumulated on the Member balances contributes to the administrative and operating expenses of the Plan. Because of this, the Trustees can keep operating costs of the Plan lower for all Members. And finally—the excess accumulated funds are held in trust for you. If you die, your family can access your account and either withdraw the funds or continue to use them to purchase benefits.

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