The Board of Trustees has several important updates for you this summer. Some of these changes will affect your monthly payments — please read through the sections that apply to you.
Watch a quick overview of this newsletter:
What’s in this newsletter
- July 1, 2026 — Self-Pay Rate increase for retired members / surviving spouses who self-pay at the rate effective on or after Jan. 1, 2023
- July 1, 2026 — New pension benefit for members with a terminal illness (Amendment 16)
- Jan. 1, 2027 — Proof of Life program begins for pension recipients — retirees, please update your contact info now
- Now in effect — Dollar Bank Deduction & ELHT Contribution Rate (effective May 1, 2026)
- Reminder — MembersHealth: free 24/7 virtual care for you and your extended family
- Coming soon — Retirement Readiness Workshop, October 22, 2026
Retiree Self-Pay Rate Increase
Retired members & surviving spouses · Effective July 1, 2026
Does this affect you? This rate increase applies only to:
- Members who retired on or after January 1, 2023
- Surviving spouses of deceased retired members who began self-paying at the retiree rate on or after January 1, 2023
If you retired before January 1, 2023 (or are a surviving spouse of a deceased member who began self-paying before that date), your rates are not changing.
Your new rate will take effect with the July 1 deduction — whether that’s deducted from your monthly pension cheque or from your bank account. The Trust Fund continues to cover 50% of the cost of your health coverage.
- Plan B — Health, Dental, Life Insurance & Out-of-Province Emergency.
Current: $168/mo → New rate: $178/mo - Plan C — Health, Life Insurance & Out-of-Province Emergency (no dental).
Current: $125/mo → New rate: $135/mo - Plan E — Life Insurance Only ($15,000).
Current: $16/mo → No change
Thinking about switching plans?
If Plan B has become too costly and you can do without dental coverage, you may switch down to Plan C at any time.
Important: For retired members and surviving spouses, this is a permanent decision. Once you move to a lower plan, you cannot move back up. Please think it through carefully before making a change.
Contact the Benefits Office to discuss your options before switching: 709-747-2249 ext. 308 or lwells@ualocal740.ca
New Pension Benefit: Shortened Life Expectancy Provision
Pension plan members · Amendment 16 · Effective July 1, 2026
If you have a serious illness and a doctor expects it to shorten your life to less than two years, you may now be able to receive your pension as a one-time lump sum payment — rather than waiting for monthly payments to begin later.
Who does this apply to?
- Members who have earned a vested pension but have not yet started receiving monthly pension payments (also called a deferred vested pension).
- This does not apply if you are already receiving monthly pension payments.
What’s required?
- A letter from your physician confirming your diagnosis and life expectancy
- If you have a spouse or common-law partner: their written consent is required by completing the Waiver of Joint and Survivor Pension Form
Important — please read before applying. The lump sum payment will be calculated in accordance with applicable statutory requirements. Once the payment is made, no further benefits will be payable under the Plan, and all rights and entitlements under the Plan will be fully extinguished. This is a permanent, irrevocable decision.
To apply or ask questions, contact Leslie Wells directly: 709-747-2249 ext. 308 or lwells@ualocal740.ca. We understand this is a difficult conversation to have — please reach out, we are here to help.
Proof of Life Program — Coming January 2027
Pension recipients & surviving spouses · Starting January 1, 2027
Starting January 1, 2027, everyone receiving a monthly pension payment will receive an annual confirmation form. This is a standard process used by pension plans to protect your pension payments and prevent fraud.
When will I get the form?
On the anniversary of your retirement date each year. Forms go out on a staggered schedule — not everyone receives theirs at the same time.
Will I always receive a form?
Not necessarily. If you have submitted a health or dental claim in the past six months, you will not receive a form — the plan already has confirmation you are active.
What do I do when I receive the form?
Complete and return it to Manion Wilkins within 30 days. You can mail it back or email a photo of the completed form.
What happens if I don’t respond?
Manion Wilkins will make three follow-up attempts to contact you. The Benefits Office will also review your file before any action is taken. Suspension of pension payments is only a last resort — and any missed payments are paid back in full once we hear from you.
Keep your contact information up to date — do it now. If we can’t reach you when the form is due, your pension could be suspended. Don’t wait until 2027 — check your information today.
Two ways to update:
- myManion portal/app — log in at www.myManion.com or search “myManion” in the App Store or Google Play
- Benefits Office — 709-747-2249 ext. 308 or lwells@ualocal740.ca
Dollar Bank & Contribution Rate Update
Active members · Now in effect — May 1, 2026
These changes took effect May 1, 2026 as part of the annual 5% increase schedule that was approved and communicated to members in May 2025. This is a reminder that these increases are ongoing each May 1st.
Dollar Bank Deduction: $300 → $315/month
Each month, $315 is deducted from your dollar bank to provide you with one month of benefit coverage. The maximum your dollar bank can hold also increased — from $3,600 to $3,780 (equal to 12 months of coverage).
Employer Contribution Rate: $3.00 → $3.15/hour earned
Your employer’s contribution under the Collective Agreement went up. This money goes directly into your dollar bank while you are working. Once your bank reaches the maximum, additional contributions help keep the plan strong for all members.
Reminder: MembersHealth — Your Virtual Doctor
All members + extended family
See a doctor 24/7 — at no cost. Your parents, brothers, sisters, and their family members are also covered — even if they are not on our health plan. You do not need to be enrolled in the UA Local 740 health plan to use this service.
What can they help with?
- Talk to a doctor by video call
- Get a prescription sent to your pharmacy
- Lab tests and diagnostics
- Referrals to specialists
- Help finding a family doctor
- Second opinions
- Doctor’s notes
- Unlimited appointments
Three ways to connect
- App — download “MembersHealth” (iOS & Android)
- Online — www.membershealth.ca
- Phone — 1-800-484-0152
Members who have tried it are extremely satisfied with it — and with family doctors hard to come by in Newfoundland, this may be the most convenient care option you have. If you haven’t used it yet, give it a try.
To access MembersHealth, you will need to provide your name and union card number. Have these ready when you connect through the app, website, or phone line.
Retirement Readiness Workshop — October 22, 2026
All members · Coming soon
The Board of Trustees is pleased to announce an upcoming Retirement Readiness Workshop for UA Local 740 members, scheduled for October 22, 2026. Stay tuned — full details including location, format, and registration information will be shared in the coming months.
Questions? We’re here to help.
Leslie Wells, Benefits Administrator
Phone: 709-747-2249 ext. 308
Email: lwells@ualocal740.ca
Web: www.ualocal740.ca
Issued by the Board of Trustees — UA Local 740 Employee Life and Health Trust Fund and UA Local 740 Pension Plan Trust Fund. This newsletter is for informational purposes only. In the event of any conflict between this notice and the official plan documents, the plan documents govern.