Site Search
549 results for see portal MAKEMUR.COM Need to pay a prison warden for early release on good behavior
-
Meghan Vallis named head of distribution for myFlex Benefits and other group benefits updates
Meghan Vallis named head of distribution for myFlex Benefits
We are pleased to announce that Meghan Vallis, our Group Sales Vice President for Western Canada, will head national distribution for myFlex Benefits in addition to her existing responsibilities.
As part of her expanded role, Meghan will lead the myFlex Benefits sales team and develop and implement strategies to achieve the growth of this offering. Meghan and the myFlex team will continue to focus on delivering market leading services for our clients and advisors.
Meghan joined Equitable Life in 2020 and brings more than 15 years of experience in the group benefits industry to her expanded role. She is passionate about helping Advisors succeed to transform their clients' employee benefit experience.
myFlex Benefits is one of the most unique and versatile benefits solutions for small businesses in Canada. It is fully pooled, includes a two-year renewal and features a user-friendly portal for plan members to make their benefit selections. And it’s simple to use: Plan sponsors set a budget and choose from a selection of benefit options. Plan members then use flex dollars to select from the options offered by their employer. Any leftover flex dollars are saved in a health care spending account (HCSA).
If you have any questions or are interested in learning more about myFlex Benefits, please contact your Group Account Executive or myFlex Sales Manager.Changes to Short Term Disability (STD) benefit calculations for 2023*
The Canada Employment Insurance Commission and Canada Revenue Agency have announced the 2023 changes to Maximum Insurable Earnings and premiums for employment insurance.
The following changes to Employment Insurance (EI) will come into effect on Jan. 1, 2023:
How does this affect your clients?
Your clients’ STD benefit will be revised with the updated maximums based on the percentage of EI Maximum Weekly Insurable Earnings shown in their policy if:- Their Equitable Life Group Policy includes an STD benefit that is tied to the EI Maximum Weekly Insurable Earnings, and
- At least one classification of employees has a maximum of less than $650.
If their STD maximum is currently higher than $650 or based on a flat amount instead of a percentage or regular earnings, no change will be made to their plan unless otherwise directed.
If your clients wish to provide direction regarding revising their STD maximum, or if they have questions about the process, they can email Kari Gough, Manager, Group Issue and Special Projects.Coming soon: Survey for Plan Administrators with recent disability claims*
We’ve enhanced our communication processes to help your clients with disability plans manage their workplace absences more effectively. In early December, we will distribute a short survey to plan administrators who may have submitted an approved disability claim in the past six months. The survey will ask recipients about their satisfaction with the frequency and detail of our disability management communications.
The email will come from GBClientFeedback@equitable.ca, and the survey will remain open until the end of the day on December 16, 2022. All responses will be confidential. We plan to use the feedback to help ensure that we’re meeting your clients’ expectations and delivering industry-leading service.
We may also follow up with survey respondents directly, to address any concerns they’ve identified.
* Indicates content that will be shared with your clients. - Resource Hub
- [pdf] Equitable GIF Fund Facts
- Advisor Guide
-
Transaction Authorization Requirements table for Savings & Retirement advisors
Equitable Life® is here to help. When it comes to getting certain transactions authorized in a non face-to-face environment, you might need some direction. We’ve got you covered.
Equitable has created a quick reference table on EquiNet™. The Transaction Authorization Requirements table provides details on how to get certain forms approved and the best way to get them to us. Each form listed gives the authorization type that is accepted. We’ve also provided details when we receive a document that is considered not-in-good-order.
As we navigate through COVID-19, we will continue to update this table. This means you have the most current information available at your fingertips, 24/7.
Have other questions about COVID-19? Check out our Savings & Retirement COVID-19 update page on EquiNet as well. This page provides the latest news and information for Savings & Retirement advisors.
Still have a question? Give our Advisor Services team a call Monday to Friday 8:30 a.m. – 7:30 p.m. ET at 1.866.884.7427 or email savingsretirement@equitable.ca, or your local Regional Investment Sales Manager.
-
Spring update and dividend scale for 2025/2026
Good news! The Equitable® Board of Directors has approved continuing our current dividend scale for the period of July 1, 2025, to June 30, 2026.
• The interest rate* we use to decide the dividend scale will stay at 6.40%.
• Other factors used to decide the dividend scale will stay the same.
• The interest rate for policies with dividends on deposit will stay at 3.50%.
• The interest rate for most policy loans will stay at 6.50%. This applies to both new and existing policy loans, and automatic premium loans. It specifically applies to Equimax® policies with a 9-digit policy number that starts with either "3" or "8". Older policies may have different loan rates as they are based on the prime interest rate.
*The dividend scale interest rate (DSIR) is different from the participating account (PAR) rate of return. The DSIR smooths out the ups and downs of the participating account experience. The PAR rate of return is the return on the investments in the participating account over the calendar year.
Need more information?
Did you miss our Spring Update & 2025 Dividend Scale Announcement?
Watch it now:
-
September is Life Insurance Awareness Month
The perfect time to start conversations with clients.
Many people don’t think about life insurance until it’s too late. This month is a good time to remind clients why life insurance matters. Life insurance can help provide financial protection for families and businesses when they need it most.
As an advisor, you play a key role in helping clients make the right choices to protect the people and things they care about. At Equitable®, we’re committed to supporting you in guiding clients through these important decisions. To help you start conversations about life insurance, we have created resources that explain the different types of life insurance and how each can help clients meet their unique financial needs.
Use these tools during your client meetings, either in person or online. They can help you explain why life insurance matters, show the different plan options, and build trust with clients.
Let’s work TOGETHER this month to help clients PROTECT TODAY and PREPARE TOMORROW.
Contact your Equitable wholesaler today to learn more!
.jpg "1197-(3).jpg")
What kind of life insurance is right for you? (1197) - Step Up Your Wealth Qualification Requirements
-
This year’s RSP deadline is March 2, 2026
RRSP deposits to be considered for the 2025 tax year must be:
• Dated March 2, 2026, or before
• Must be submitted to Head Office in good order by March 6, 2026, by 4:00 p.m. ET
RRSP applications to be considered for 2025 contribution year must be submitted in good order by:
• March 2, 2026, 11:59 p.m. ET
RRSP B2B Loans:
• RRSP loan deposits must be received from B2B by March 13, 2026, by 4:00 p.m. ET
Note: Transactions submitted after these dates will not receive a 2025 contribution receipt
Please note that all requirements must be received in Head Office by the above dates to guarantee settlement for year end.
Have you started talking to your clients about their Registered Retirement Savings Plan (RRSP) contributions yet? Equitable® has a range of RRSP solutions that can help meet their needs, including:- Daily/Guaranteed Interest Account
- Equitable Guaranteed Investment Funds™, available in:
- o Investment Class (75/75)
- o Estate Class (75/100)
- o Protection Class (100/100)
Most clients genuinely want to save for retirement, but intentions alone aren’t enough—they need a plan. As their trusted advisor, you can help them understand why making their RRSP a priority is an important step toward long‑term financial security.
To support those conversations
Most clients genuinely want to save for retirement, but intentions alone aren’t enough—they need a plan. As their trusted advisor, you can help them understand why making their RRSP a priority is an important step toward long‑term financial security.
To support those conversations, we’ve pulled together helpful tools and marketing materials that show how an Equitable RRSP can make a meaningful difference in reaching their retirement goals. Resources include:- Investment calculators
- A retirement savings plan is just a relevant now as it was over 60 years ago
- Borrowing money to save money
From January 1 to March 2, 2026, when clients open or add money to an Equitable TFSA or RRSP, they’ll automatically be entered into Equitable’s Snowball Your Savings contest. Two lucky clients will win — and their advisors get to celebrate too! -
Equitable Life Group Benefits Bulletin – May 2020
In this issue:
- Digital options for your clients and their plan members*
- Alberta delaying biosimilar initiative*
- Yukon increasing insurance premium tax*
- Manitoba and New Brunswick relaxing drug limits*
- Free guide to accessing virtual healthcare*
- Homeweb for plan members who are losing coverage*
*Indicates content that will be shared with your clients
Easy and convenient digital resources for your clients and their plan membersDuring this time of physical distancing, people are looking for ways to interact with their providers virtually. We have several convenient digital tools available to make it easier for your clients and their plan members.
For plan administrators:
Plan administrator portal (EquitableHealth.ca)Our secure portal allows plan administrators to easily manage their plan anytime and anywhere. Instead of printing and mailing forms, they can make real-time updates at their convenience. The site also makes it easy to:
- View or upload forms and other important documents;
- Retrieve billing information;
- Estimate monthly premium costs; and
- View announcements, tips and reminders.
Plan administrators can visit www.equitablehealth.ca to activate their account.
Digital Welcome Kits
Instead of paper kits that can easily get lost or quickly become outdated, plan members receive personalized welcome kits via an interactive email, including instructions on how to:
- Activate their online group benefits account;
- Download their digital benefits card;
- Submit claims from their computer or mobile device;
- Review their coverage details; and
- Explore health and wellness resources.
Easy automated payments
Automated payments are a convenient way to avoid missed payments, suspended claims and disruption. Plan administrators simply complete the pre-authorized debit form and send to GroupCollections@equitable.ca. Or contact Group Collections about online banking and electronic funds transfer (EFT).
We can help
For assistance, plan administrators can contact their Client Relationship Specialist or our Web Services team at 1.800.265.4556 ext. 283 or groupbenefitsadmin@equitable.ca.
For plan members:
Plan member portal (EquitableHealth.ca)By logging into EquitableHealth.ca, plan members have secure 24/7 access to their personalized Group Benefits account. They can:
- View and submit claims;
- Review their coverage details; and
- Access health and wellness resources.
Electronic claims payment and notifications
Once plan members have activated their Group Benefits account on EquitableHealth.ca, they can easily set up receiving their claim payments via direct deposit, and their claim notifications via email.
EZClaim Mobile App
Submitting claims is fast, easy and secure with the Equitable EZClaim® mobile app for iOS and Android devices. Plan members can view and submit health and dental claims and review their coverage details.
Digital Benefits Cards
Instead of digging through their wallets, plan members can download a digital version of their benefits card to their mobile device.
We can help
We’ve created a video guide to help plan members access and use their digital resources. For further assistance, plan members can contact our Web Services team at 1.800.265.4556 ext. 283 or groupbenefitsadmin@equitable.ca.
Alberta government delaying biosimilar initiativeAs we announced in the February 2020 issue of eNews, the Alberta Biosimilar Initiative will require patients using several originator biologic drugs to switch to a biosimilar in order to maintain coverage through their Alberta government sponsored drug plan.
Due to the increased demands the COVID-19 pandemic is placing on healthcare providers, the Alberta government has postponed the switching requirement. Affected patients will now have until January 15, 2021 to switch to the biosimilar version of their drug in order to maintain provincial coverage.
We continue to investigate appropriate options to help ensure this provincial change does not unreasonably impact Equitable Life groups and patients and will keep you informed.
For more information about the Alberta Biosimilars Initiative, consult the Alberta government website.
Yukon increasing Insurance Premium TaxThe Yukon Government has announced that it plans to increase its Insurance Premium Tax rates effective January 1, 2021. The premium tax rates for group life and accident and sickness insurance are expected to increase from 2% to 4%. The new tax rates will be applied to premiums paid on or after January 1, 2021.
Manitoba and New Brunswick relaxing drug limitsIn order to protect the drug supply during the COVID-19 crisis, residents of most provinces were temporarily limited to receiving a 30-day supply of drugs when filling a prescription. Normally, doctors prescribe a 90-day supply for most maintenance-type drugs.
The Government of Manitoba and the Government of New Brunswick are now relaxing this 30-day limit for prescription drugs where shortages do not exist. They will address potential shortages of specific drugs if necessary.
As the situation continues to evolve, there may continue to be changes to provincial legislation and prescription limits. Plan members should speak to their pharmacist for the most up to date information.
Free guide to accessing virtual healthcareWith many health clinics closed and the healthcare system under strain, people are looking to access a doctor and other health providers virtually.
As we announced previously, we’ve made it easier for plan members to find the information they need using our Guide to Accessing Virtual Healthcare. This online resource provides information about and links to a range of virtual health services they need to take care of their health and the health of their family during these challenging times.
The Guide also indicates which services are covered by public health plan, so there’s no cost to the patient to access them if they provide their valid provincial health card.
We will continue to update the Guide as more virtual healthcare providers and services become available.The Guide is available on both EquitableHealth.ca and Equitable.ca.
Homeweb for plan members who are losing coverageWe know these are difficult times for Canadian employers and their employees. As businesses temporarily suspend operations, some employers have had to make the difficult decision to temporarily lay off employees or put their benefits coverage on hold.
That’s why we were pleased to announce that Homewood Health® and Equitable Life will extend access to Homeweb, a personalized online mental health and wellness portal, for up to 120 days for plan members who have temporarily lost their benefits coverage due to COVID-19.
Employees and their family members will continue to have access to the Homeweb website and mobile app, including:
- iVolve, online self-directed Cognitive Behavioural Therapy;
- Resources to support themselves and their family members through the COVID-19 pandemic;
- An interactive online Health Risk Assessment; and
- An online library of tools, assessments and e-courses.
This will allow businesses undergoing financial hardship to provide some support to employees who are temporarily without benefits coverage.