OSSTF Provincial Long-Term Disability Plan

Coverage for Greater Essex, Peel and Toronto

Founded by educators, we are a community-based insurance company with the sole purpose of enriching the lives of our Members. Our deep understanding of our Membership and their livelihood allows us to be more responsive to their needs.

Teachers Life provides Provincial Long-Term Disability (LTD) Plan coverage to Ontario Secondary School Teachers Federation (OSSTF) members in the Greater Essex, Peel and Toronto school boards.

Long-term disability coverage is insurance that replaces your income if you become disabled and are unable to work. All OSSTF members participate in the same mandated, province-wide Provincial Long-Term Disability Plan. Long-term disability enrollment is automatic.


Frequently Asked Questions about OSSTF Long-Term Disability coverage

Long-term disability (LTD) coverage

What is my Teachers Life LTD coverage?

All Ontario Secondary School Teachers Federation (OSSTF) members participate in the same mandated, province-wide Provincial Long-Term Disability Plan. Long-term disability enrollment is automatic.

Effective March 1, 2018, the OSSTF announced amendments to the Provincial Long-Term Disability Plan. Because of this change, Teachers Life has issued a new policy number for the amended plan. Members were mailed new policy certificates – you can find a copy of the new certificate in your Teachers Life account on our online Members Site.

The specific changes to the plan affect

  • Rates
  • Benefits
  • Waiting period
  • Unreduced service pension provisions

What happens to my long-term disability coverage if I change boards?

Enrollment in the OSSTF Provincial Long-Term Disability Plan is automatic and coverage is the same across all school districts. However, if you change boards you may not be insured through Teachers Life insurance, as the province uses various insurers to administer the Provincial Long-Term Disability Plan.

Does my board pay for disability coverage?

No, the insured (you) pays the entire premium for disability coverage. For convenience, premiums are taken by payroll deduction through your employer. There is a good reason for this: When the insured person pays the disability plan premiums, if you become disabled, monthly disability benefits are non-taxable in your hands. If an employer pays the long-term disability premium or even a portion of it, monthly disability payments to you are subject to income tax.

What is the relationship between Teachers Life and OTIP?

The Ontario Teachers Insurance Plan (OTIP) is our valued partner and is also a not-for-profit insurance advocate that is governed, led and inspired by the four education affiliates and their local leaders. Teachers Life is a licensed, federally regulated fraternal life insurance company providing life and disability insurance products to the education community and their families Canada-wide. OTIP administers Teachers Life disability claims and provides early intervention and disability rehabilitation services for Teachers Life Members.

Changes to employment

I’m retiring. Can I still be a Member of Teachers Life?

Yes! Retirement does not affect your membership with Teachers Life. It is your insurance policy status that determines membership. For example, if you are insured under a long-term disability policy with Teachers Life, the policy ends at retirement or age 65. If this is the only insurance you held with Teachers Life, your membership will no longer be active once the disability policy ends when you retire. However, individual life and critical illness insurance with Teachers Life are not affected by retirement. Membership continues if the policy remains in force and premium payments are up to date. Individual life or critical illness insurance policies are not affected by changes to benefits or insurance with your school board.

I have life insurance with my school board. Does that mean I have insurance or membership with Teachers Life?

No. Teachers Life offers individual life insurance that is separate from and supplements any group life insurance coverage your employer provides. Board-provided life insurance is a group benefit and a portion is typically paid for by your board as part of your benefits package. You do not have ownership of a group life insurance policy and therefore changes to benefits and providers are often out of your control.

I’m changing boards. Does my Teachers Life individual life insurance end?

No. With individual life insurance from Teachers Life, you own the policy, rates are guaranteed, and coverage is portable – it remains in place regardless of whether you change boards, retire, or no longer work in the education community, providing policy payments are up to date.

What happens to my life insurance through the board if I change boards?

Group insurance is not typically portable and ends when you leave your board. It is always a good idea to have some individual life insurance coverage to supplement a group plan. With group life insurance plans provided by your board, the employer typically owns the policy and controls your coverage.

What happens to my disability insurance when I change boards?

You will remain covered if you move from one board to another if you are eligible because of your teaching position. Since 2013, long-term disability insurance has been mandated for teachers across the province. Teachers are covered under the same plan and premium structure.

If you are employed in the secondary panel at TDSB, Peel or Greater Essex, you are covered through Teachers Life for the Provincial Long-Term Disability Plan. If you change boards, coverage with Teachers Life ends and you will be enrolled in the Provincial Long-Term Disability Plan through the insurer that provides coverage for your new board.

How do I make an LTD claim?

Find information about making a Provincial Long-Term Disability Plan claim

here: http://teacherslife.com/claims/

If I become disabled while on unpaid leave, why am I not eligible to receive disability payments?

While on an unpaid leave, there is no loss of income, and your policy is structured as an income replacement policy. The monthly benefits are meant to replace lost income should you become disabled while you are working and then be unable to work. Because there is no income to replace, disability benefits are not paid during an unpaid leave.

For more information on disability coverage and leaves of absence, contact Teachers Life at 1 800 668 4229 or email us at insuring@teacherslife.com.

Exclusive Member Benefits

What benefits am I eligible for?

We’re a “Member-driven” fraternal insurance company with a mission to improve the health and well-being of our communities and our Members. We proudly offer Flourish+ Member Benefits:

  • An annual $100 Healthy Living rebate to go towards membership fees, whether that’s a gym, yoga classes or an app like MyFitnessPal, Calm, etc.
  • Scholarships and bursaries for the children, grandchildren, nieces and nephews of Members.
  • Our annual Press Start CoLab Program is focused on the mental health crisis amongst Canadian youth.
  • Teachers Life Virtual Suggestion Box: Share your idea or innovation for how we can enhance your Member experience and get entered into a raffle for a chance to receive a $500 gift card!
  • Members with emails on file will receive a Happy Birthday email and will be entered into a random draw during their birthday month for a chance to receive a $250 gift card!
  • Our virtual Flourish+ Talks allow our policyholders and all OTIP members to come together as a community and hear the inspiring stories of Canadian mental health experts.

*Some conditions apply. Click here to learn more.

Are there scholarships for my family members?

Our scholarships and bursaries are available to Teachers Life policyholders. We’ve expanded eligibility to more students! Applications will be accepted for any year of post-secondary education and in addition to children and grandchildren, our Member’s nieces and nephews are now eligible to apply.