Disability and your pension

Explore the options that may be available to you if you become ill or injured and are unable to work.

If you are unable to work because of illness or injury, you may be eligible for benefits under a long-term or short-term disability plan.

Your employer or union can tell you about the criteria you must meet to receive short- or long-term disability benefits. These benefits pay you an income while you are unable to work.

When you are off work on short- or long-term disability, your pension may be affected. How it's affected depends on whether: 

• Your short-term disability benefits are paid for by your employer or a group life insurance carrier
• Your short- or long-term disability benefits are paid for by a group disability plan approved by BC's College Pension Plan

In some cases, you will continue to make pension contributions and accumulate pensionable and contributory service while you are unable to work.

In other cases, you will not contribute to the plan or accumulate service while you are off work.

If you return to work after a short- or long-term disability leave, you and your employer will resume making pension contributions.

Disability benefits

You may be eligible for a disability benefit if you are totally and permanently disabled and are not covered by an approved group disability plan. A disability benefit pays you a monthly benefit and replaces any termination benefits or regular pension you would normally receive as a plan member.

You may also be eligible for a separate disability benefit from Canada Pension Plan.