Government of Canada Increases Disability Insurance Funding for Canadian Forces Personnel

KANDAHAR, AFGHANISTAN, May 18 (MARKET WIRE) --
The Honourable Peter Gordon MacKay, Minister of National Defence and
Minister for the Atlantic Gateway, while speaking to Canadian Forces
members during his 8th visit to Afghanistan, today announced improvements
to the funding of long term disability insurance for Canadian Forces (CF)
members. The Government of Canada will provide $356 million over the next
four years to cover the full cost of insuring Regular Force members
against service-related injuries and illnesses and to cover the
government share of a premium increase for non-service related injuries.

"This Government is committed to our soldiers, sailors, airmen, and
airwomen," said Minister MacKay. "This increased funding will lessen the
financial burden on these brave men and women, and their families, as
they defend our nation at home and abroad."

SISIP Long Term Disability is a premium-based insurance program that
provides an income replacement in combination with other monthly income
benefits provided under the Pension Act, Canadian Forces Superannuation
Act and the Canada/Quebec Pension Plan. The Government of Canada
previously funded 85 per cent of SISIP premiums for both service-related
and non-service-related injuries and illnesses for Regular Force members,
with the members paying the remaining 15 per cent through mandatory
monthly deductions. Members will continue to pay the 15 per cent premium
for coverage for non-service-related injuries through mandatory monthly
deductions.

The Government of Canada will continue to fund 100 per cent of both
premiums for Primary Reserve members on Class A or B service, and Reserve
Force members on Class C service.

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Types of Injury and Premium Percentage
Illness Insurance Paid By: NEW
Coverage Government CF Member Government CF
of Canada of Canada Member
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Regular Force Service-related 85% 15% 100% 0%
injuries and illness
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Non-service-related 85% 15% No change
injuries and illness
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Reserve Force Service-related 100% 0% No change
injuries and illness
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Non-service-related 100% 0% No change
injuries and illness
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

SISIP Financial Services insures CF members against long term
disability for injuries, illnesses and medical conditions. The SISIP Long
Term Disability program applies to all Regular Force members, Primary
Reserve Force members on Class A or B service, and all Reserve Force
members on Class C service, who are medically releasing or totally
disabled. These members are entitled to financial benefits (income
replacement protection) and the Vocational Rehabilitation Program, which
is designed to provide training and education to enhance the former
member's existing skills and help him/her obtain gainful civilian
employment. For more information on SISIP, please visit
http://www.sisip.com.

Contacts:
Information: 613-996-2353/1-866-377-0811
After hours: 613-792-2973
www.forces.gc.ca

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