ARCHIVED - Enrolment Information for Pensioners eligible to join the Pensioners' Dental Services Plan (PDSP) Who are also covered under the Veterans Affairs Canada (VAC) Dental Services Program

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What has changed

Effective July 1, 2002, the Pensioners' Dental Services Plan (PDSP) was amended to allow eligible pensioners who are receiving or are entitled to receive dental care under the VAC Dental Services Program to cover their family members under the PDSP at reduced rates.

These new rates are offered to eligible pensioners who agree not to make any claims under the PDSP for reimbursement of dental care costs for themselves: VAC will continue to be responsible for their dental care. Claims for their family members will be made under the PDSP.

What are the new rates?

Monthly contribution rates for PDSP plan members who are receiving or are eligible for the VAC Dental Services Program are as follows:

*   Plus provincial tax, if applicable

What do I do?

In order to enrol family members at the reduced rates, eligible pensioners must complete the Pensioners' Dental Services Plan (PDSP)- Enrolment Form [Pensioners entitled to VAC Dental Services Program, (TBS/SCT 330-315)]. This form is available on the Treasury Board Secretariat Web site.

NOTE:The enrolment form must be completed by both new enrolees and existing PDSP members who are currently paying the full rates and wish their rates to be reduced.

Once a pensioner has completed the special PDSP Enrolment Form for Pensioners Entitled to the VAC Dental Services Program, it should be mailed to:

Sun Life Assurance Company of Canada
PO Box 9805 CSC-T
Ottawa, ON  K1G 6M6

Following receipt of the enrolment form, the Sun Life Assurance Company of Canada will contact Veterans Affairs Canada to verify that the pensioner is entitled to or is receiving services under the VAC Dental Services Program. PDSP coverage will be activated at the contribution rates shown above once VAC has verified the pensioner's eligibility for the Dental Services Program and the Sun Life Assurance Company of Canada and the appropriate pension administration have processed the enrolment.

Who is affected, and when will the rates take effect?

The reduction in contributions will apply as follows to the categories of eligible federal public service pensioners listed below.

1. Pensioners who had already enrolled in the PDSP on July 1, 2002

These PDSP members will have their contribution rates reduced with effect from July 1, 2002, if they complete the PDSP Enrolment Form for Pensioners Entitled to VAC Dental Services Program and submit it to the Sun Life Assurance Company of Canada within a reasonable period after that date.

2. Eligible pensioners who previously deferred (postponed) coverage under the PDSP 

Eligible pensioners who previously deferred coverage under the PDSP and who now wish to activate that coverage will have their coverage activated at the reduced contribution rates as of July 1, 2002, if they complete the PDSP Enrolment Form for Pensioners Entitled to VAC Dental Services Program and submit it to the Sun Life Assurance Company of Canada within a reasonable period after that date.

3. Eligible pensioners who did not enrol in the PDSP within their normal time limits

A new enrolment opportunity is being given to those eligible pensioners who are receiving or are eligible to receive dental services under the VAC Dental Services Program and who previously declined to enrol in the PDSP. Provided they complete the PDSP Enrolment Form for Pensioners Entitled to VAC Dental Services Program and submit it to the Sun Life Assurance Company of Canada within a reasonable period of time, coverage for their family members can begin effective July 1, 2002.

4. Pensioners who first become eligible to enrol in the PDSP after July 1, 2002

These pensioners are subject to the normal time limits for enrolling in the PDSP; that is, they must enrol in the PDSP using the PDSP Enrolment Form for Pensioners Entitled to VAC Dental Services Program within 60 days of the effective date of their pension entitlement. Coverage will then begin on the date of their pension entitlement.

Refunds of overpaid contributions and collections of arrears

Contributions will be adjusted for current members as soon as the Sun Life Assurance Company of Canada and your pension administration can process your new enrolment. In cases where contributions are reduced with effect from July 1, 2002, PDSP members will receive refunds.

Similarly, for new PDSP members, deductions will begin as soon as the Sun Life Assurance Company of Canada and your pension administration can process your enrolment. Double deductions will be required for a period of several months since coverage begins effective July 1, 2002, and PDSP contributions are required to be paid one month in advance. 

Members can expect that there will be administrative delays in implementing these changes.

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