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Leave Savings Program

Unlike a longer-term investment such as your Group Retirement Savings plan or TFSA, the Leave Savings program offers midwives the ability to set aside a portion of your benefits funding in the event you have insufficient funding to pay for your benefit premiums or to cover costs if you need to take time off work. This is an elective program where you can choose to opt in and contribute to this “rainy day” fund whenever you wish.

A smiling woman in a blue bathing suit in a pool. Credit: Michael Poley

What can I use my Leave Savings for?

There are a variety of situations in which you may need to access your Leave Savings—it could be to cover your benefit premiums while you take an extended vacation, or perhaps to cover your benefit premiums while you care for a sick family member. Leave savings can also be used during the waiting period before short-term disability payments begin, or to cover your benefits premiums or supplement your payments while on parental leave. Or, once a year, you can make a lump-sum transfer from your Leave Savings to your Wellness Spending Account (WSA).

A woman in a swimsuit floats in a pool on an inflatable giant flamingo. Credit: Michael Poley

Your Leave Savings could cover your benefit premiums while you take an extended vacation, or perhaps to cover your benefit premiums while you care for a sick family member

A woman in a swimsuit floats in a pool on an inflatable giant flamingo. Credit: Michael Poley

Most financial advisors recommend you have three months’ income set aside in case you have to stop work for any reason. The Leave Savings program was established precisely for this reason. Maintaining three months’ of benefit premiums is strongly encouraged.

Understanding your Plan