Changes to the Public Service Pensioners' Dental Services Plan

OTTAWA, June 1 /CNW Telbec/ - The Treasury Board Secretariat issued a notice today that, effective October 1, 2010, contribution rates for the Public Service Pensioners' Dental Services Plan will be shared on a 50/50 basis between the Government of Canada and plan members.

These costs are currently shared between the Government of Canada and plan members on a 60/40 basis. As a result, there will be a small increase in monthly contribution rates from members.

The change to contributions is part of Treasury Board Secretariat's ongoing work to ensure that benefits are modernized in a way that is fair and sustainable. The Pensioners' Dental Services Plan will continue to offer a valuable benefit to plan members. It also compares favourably to other Canadian public and private sector plans.

The following chart contains the current and new rates effective October 1, 2010.

    
    ------------------------------------------------------------------------
           Category of Coverage               From               To
    ------------------------------------------------------------------------
    I   Pensioner only                   $12.50 per month  $16.00 per month
                                                           ($3.50 increase)
    ------------------------------------------------------------------------
    II  Pensioner and one eligible       $25.50 per month  $31.96 per month
         family member                                     ($6.46 increase)
    ------------------------------------------------------------------------
    III Pensioner and more than one      $36.20 per month  $47.96 per month
         eligible family member                            ($11.76 increase)
    ------------------------------------------------------------------------
    

For the benefit of those of who may wish to choose other options related to dental care, the three-year mandatory enrolment period is temporarily suspended between June 1, 2010, and August 31, 2010. Plan members who wish to terminate their coverage may do so by sending a written request to their pension office. Coverage will stop on October 1, 2010.

As with most dental care plans, the costs of the Pensioners' Dental Services Plan have been increasing due primarily to growth in membership (between 800 and 1,000 new members per month), increasing professional fees and new technologies.

The decrease in Government of Canada contributions will result in savings of about $17 million per year.

IF THERE IS A DISCREPANCY BETWEEN ANY PRINTED VERSION AND THE ELECTRONIC VERSION OF THIS NEWS RELEASE, THE ELECTRONIC VERSION WILL PREVAIL.

TTY (Telecommunications device for the hearing impaired) - [phone]

This news release is available online at www.tbs-sct.gc.ca.

For further information: Mélisa Leclerc, Director of Communications, Office of the President of the Treasury Board and Minister for the Asia-Pacific Gateway, [phone]; Media Relations, Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat, [phone]