- from McMaster's Department of  Human Resources

McMaster has partnered with Venngo to offer the ‘WorkPerks’ employee discount program to all employees and retirees of McMaster University.

This program gives access to special deals and discounts – or perks – from over 1,700 brand name merchants across Canada and trusted local businesses. Discounts are available for employees and retirees and their family members on everything from clothing and shoes to tickets and restaurants, using location-based services and in-store or online redemptions. Employees and retirees can access the perks using the WorkPerks website that has been set up exclusively for McMaster University, or by using an Apple or Android mobile app.

Please visit the website to learn more about the program and to create an account using your McMaster email address.

Please note that you must use an active McMaster email address to sign up for this offer. Email addresses other than those ending with  "@mcmaster.ca" cannot be used for WorkPerks. Information about McMaster retiree email accounts is available at UTS retiree email.

We are pleased to inform you that the Board of Governors has approved the following increases to pensions effective January 2018:

For retirees of the Salaried Pension Plan, there will be a regular pension increase of 1.46% for retirees who were receiving a pension on June 30, 2017. Those who retired between July 1, 2016 and June 30, 2017 will receive a pro-rated increase. There will be no supplementary increase this year. Details can be found at: http://www.workingatmcmaster.ca/pensions/increase/salaried.

For retirees of the Hourly Pension Plan, there will be a regular pension increase of 1.46% for retirees who were receiving a pension on June 30, 2017. Those who retired between July 1, 2016 and June 30, 2017 will receive a pro-rated increase. Details can be found at: http://www.workingatmcmaster.ca/pensions/increase/hourly.

This past July, McMaster University implemented a new process for updating Sun Life Financial with member and dependent benefit enrolment information. Since this change some retirees have experienced issues with their claims coverage.

In the majority of cases, retirees should expect to continue to receive the same coverage and reimbursements as they have had since they retired, and should also experience no change to the process used to submit claims and receive reimbursements.

If you encounter changes to your usual coverage or denial of coverage by Sun Life, Sun Life’s decision should be compared with the provisions of your particular retiree group benefit plan. If there is a discrepancy:

1. Check with Sun Life 1-877-786-7227 for an explanation.
2. If you believe there may be an error in your enrolment information, please call the Human Resources Service Centre at 905-525-9140 ext. 22247, and ask them to check your enrolment information with Sun Life to validate you are set up in the correct plan with the correct coverage
3. If these steps do not resolve your issue, please let MURA know by email to mura@mcmaster.ca or by leaving a phone message at 905-525-9140, extension 23171. Council members will assist as far as possible in finding a resolution.
   

MURA has requested that Human Resources audit all retiree benefit records to ensure that Sun Life has the correct information for every retiree and dependent spouse.

For more information, see Retirees experiencing issues with Sun Life health & dental claims, in the Fall 2017 issue of MURAnews.