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Below are possible contribution scenarios during the qualifying period.
Full Earnings
If you pay a member 100% of their pre-leave earnings during the qualifying period, contributions must be made by members and employers on those earnings.
Partial Earnings
If you pay a member less than 100% of their pre-leave earnings during the qualifying period, contributions must be made on the pay received and the member will accrue contributory service at that level. Members also have the option to “top up” their contributions to the pre-leave level without employer approval.
If a member elects to “top up” they can make additional contributions to a maximum of 100% of the contributions they would have made if not for the leave. They can either make contributions during the qualifying period or no later than twelve 12 months (temporarily extended from six months) after the end of the qualifying period. Employers must also contribute if a member chooses to “top up” their contributions.
If a member contributes less than the full amount of what they would have contributed had they been working, their contributory service will be prorated to reflect this.
Example: Before her health leave Susan earned $2175 $2,175 bi-weekly. Susan earns $1305 $1,305 bi-weekly during the disability qualifying period (60% of what she was earning before the leave started). Susan must
contribute on the actual employment earnings she receives ($1305$1,305) but she has the option to make contributions on her pre-leave earnings of $2175 $2,175 or to make contributions on earnings between $1305$1,305
and $2175$2,175.
No Earnings
If you do not pay a member any earnings during the qualifying period, the same rules applicable to "partial earnings" apply. The member can make no contributions or "top up" contributions to 100% of the pre-leave level.
Example: Before her health leave Susan earned $2175 $2,175 bi-weekly. Susan receives no earnings during her health leave and is therefore not required to make any contributions. She has the option to make
contributions on her pre-leave earnings of $2175 $2,175 or to make contributions on earnings between $0 and $2175$2,175.
Workplace Safety & Insurance Board (WSIB) Benefits
The Workplace Safety and Insurance Act protects a member’s right to continue to make pension contributions during the first 12 months following a workplace injury or disability. If a member chooses to contribute for this period, they can make such contributions either during the period or within the time period set by HOOPP to make contributions after the end of the qualifying period, as a lump sum. You must also make contributions to HOOPP in this situation. The member’s contributory service for this period will be based on the contributions received by HOOPP.
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