The Wage Earner Protection Program (WEPP) is offered to eligible Canadians by Service Canada on behalf of the Labour Program. The purpose of WEPP is to reimburse workers for any unpaid wages as well as vacation pay that is owed to them but has not been paid due to the employer declaring bankruptcy and/or is subject to receivership. This program does not cover severance pay, termination pay, and/or any other employee benefits. The maximum payment is four times the Employment Insurance weekly average wage, less any amounts that are prescribed by regulations.

Applications for WEPP must be submitted within 56 days of the date of bankruptcy or receivership to Service Canada. This payment is taxable; a T4A slip will be issued on or before the last day of February the year following the payment. When WEPP is added to the Income Tax Act, the applicable tax will be deducted at the source. Eligibility for WEPP includes:

• If your former employer filed for bankruptcy or is subject to receivership on or after July 7, 2008.
• You are owed wages by your former employer which was earned during six months preceding the date of  bankruptcy/receivership.
• A trustee or receiver has been appointed to administer the former employer's bankruptcy/receivership.
• You have stopped working for a period of 7 consecutive days for your bankrupt/insolvent employer.

Please note that you are not eligible for WEPP if your employer has not declared bankruptcy. Other criteria that may make you ineligible for this benefit are:

• If you were an officer or director of the former employer.
• If you had a controlling interest in the now bankrupt business.
• You were a manager in which your duties included making financial decisions that impacted the business and/or made binding financial decisions regarding the payment or non-payment of wages.

If you are related to the now bankrupt employer, you may still be eligible for this benefit. You will be required to fill out the WEPP Supplementary Form (Additional Information Regarding Your Relationship to Your Employer) in addition to your application. This will help determine whether or not you were treated in the same manner as the other employees despite your familial relationship to the owner. You may also be eligible if you are currently working for the receiver/trustee as long as your employment was terminated for 7 consecutive days by the former employer and no wages were earned during that time period. If you have only been partially compensated for your wages and/or vacation pay you are still eligible for the outstanding amount owed.

If you are collecting Employment Insurance benefits, you must report the receipt of your WEPP payment. Any outstanding owed monies that were not paid under WEPP can still be pursued under the regular bankruptcy process. You will need to contact the trustee/receiver for more information on pursuing this action.

You will need to have a copy of the information that is provided to Service Canada by the trustee or receiver appointed in your employer's bankruptcy/receivership before applying for this benefit. This information, along with your application, will determine your eligibility as well as your payment. If your employer has declared bankruptcy, you must contact the trustee to file a proof of claim. This proof of claim is essential in order to process your WEPP application. You also may be entitled to compensation beyond the limits of what can be paid under the WEPP.

For more information about the Wage Earner Protection Program, please visit Service Canada.

Starting in 2009, Canadians will be able to contribute their money into a tax-free savings account. This type of account will be available to all Canadians age 18 and over (19 in some provinces where 19 is the age of majority) who have a Social Insurance Number. A tax-free savings account (TSFA) can be a great addition to retirement planning as well as other financial planning needs. Due to the flexible nature of the account it can be used for all savings purposes.

The new tax-free savings account offers several advantages to Canadian residents. As much as five thousand dollars can be contributed annually (this amount will increase with inflation throughout the years in $500 increments), and any unused room can be carried forward if the maximum contribution is not met. Withdrawals are tax-free as well as creating future contribution opportunities. While contributions are not deductible, capital gains as well as other investment income that is earned in the TSFA are not subject to taxation. As well, any income earned as a result of this account and/or withdrawals will affect the person's eligibility for federal income-tested benefits and/or credits. Contributions to a spouse's (including common-law) TFSA are allowed; assets are transferable to the account upon the death of the spouse.

The TFSA will be a great savings tool for seniors and those who are planning for retirement. TFSAs provide more financial flexibility, as withdrawals are not subject to taxation (i.e. RRSPs). As circumstances can quickly change in a person's life, having financial options that come without being 'penalized' can provide more options that will not have a negative impact on locked-in financial assets. Along with other retirement savings plans, the TFSA will be a great addition for this goal.

The TSFA will be available starting in 2009 at most financial institutions; discuss with your financial advisor/banker when this will be available for you. It’s a wise idea to research all of your retirement savings options, including the type and/or amount of your life insurance.

Canada Savings Bonds are an option for Canadians looking for investment options. These bonds are issued by the Government of Canada and can be a safe and secure addition to your investment portfolio. Canada Savings Bonds (CSBs) and the Canada Premium Bond (CPBs) both offer a variety of features.

Canada Savings Bonds can be cashed in anytime of the year; the Premium Bonds can only be cashed in once a year. Both types of bonds are backed by the Government of Canada which makes both types of bonds more safe and secure for investors. These bonds are available for purchase for six months per year, beginning in early October until April 1. Be advised however, that the Minister of Finance has the ability to end the sales of these bonds at any time.

CSBs and CPBs are available in either:

Regular Interest Bonds:  These bonds earn simple interest at the rates which are determined by the Minister of Finance until the earlier of maturity and redemption. The simple interest is paid to the bond's owner on each annual anniversary until maturity, or at the time of redemption.

Compound Interest Bonds:  These earn compound interest as well as simple interest. The compound interest rates are determined by the Minister of Finance until the earlier of either maturity or redemption based on the earned interest on each annual anniversary of the issue date prior to maturity. Compound interest is payable at the time of redemption.

Compound interest CSBs may be exchanged at any time before maturity for the same denomination in regular interest CSBs of the same series. Payment of interest as well as compound interest CPBs may be exchanged for the same denomination in regular interest bonds of the same series plus payment of earned interest. Prior to 10 months of their issue date, regular interest CSBs can be exchanged for compound interest CSBs of the same series; regular interest CPBs may also be exchanged for the same denomination in compound interest CPBs of the same series.

The ownership of bonds can be transferred in certain situations, such as:

• Name change due to divorce, marriage, adoption and legal name change.
• To a beneficiary due to the death of the registered owner.
• If the registered owner has a spouse, or the bonds are owned/held by spouses, in the event of divorce; they can also be   stipulated in the written separation agreement in a form that is acceptable to the Bank of Canada.
• If transferred to the Canada Retirement Savings Plan and/or to the Canada Retirement Plan.

Additional names may be added as co-owner with the right of survivorship; the Bank of Canada must be notified via completion of the prescribed forms. Be advised that the term 'surviving co-owner' is not valid or applicable in Quebec; transferring ownership must apply to specific provincial laws.

Canada Savings Bonds may be redeemed by the lawful owner at any time. This can be accomplished by contacting any authorized sales agent in Canada; proper identification must be presented. CPBs may be redeemed either on the annual anniversary of the issue date or within 30 days afterwards. If the CPB is cashed in within the 30 day period no interest will be earned for the following period of the anniversary date. CPBs may be redeemed at other times under the following circumstances:

• Death of the lawful owner.
• Court order.
• Redemption proceeds are required by the lawful owner for the purposes of:
    To avoid bankruptcy.
    To be used to purchase a home using the Home Buyer’s Plan.
    To be used in furtherance of pursuing education via the Lifelong Learning Plan.

If bonds are redeemed within the first 3 months after their issue date, no interest is earned on them. As well, no interest is earned on bonds for the calendar month in which they are redeemed.

Bonds may only be purchased with Canadian currency and can only be owned by legal Canadian residents. More detailed information can be found at http://www.csb.gc.ca/eng/bonds_cpb.asp

The final installment in this 3 part series will focus on the Canadian Pension Plan Survivor Benefits. These benefits are paid to a deceased contributor's estate, surviving spouse or common-law partner and dependent children. There are three types of benefits:

• The death benefit. This is a one-time payment to, or on behalf of, the estate of the deceased CPP contributor;
• The survivor's pension. This is a monthly pension paid to the surviving spouse/common-law partner of the deceased contributor.
• The children's benefit. This is a monthly benefit paid for dependent children of the deceased contributor.

It is very important that these benefits be applied for; if they haven't been applied for you may lose benefits that are you are entitled to. In order for your survivors to be entitled to benefits there is a minimum contributory requirement of at least 3 years. If your Canada Pension Plan "contributory period" is longer than nine years, you must have contributed in:

• one third of the calendar years in your contributory period, or
• 10 calendar years, whichever is less

The Canadian Pension Plan death benefit

This is a one-time, lump-sum payment made to the estate of the deceased contributor. If there is no estate, then eligibility for this payment are as follows:

1. Person who is responsible for the funeral expenses.
2. The surviving spouse, common-law partner or next of kin may be eligible, in that order.

The amount of the death benefit will depend on how much and how long the deceased person contributed into the Canadian Pension Plan. The dollar amount is calculated by what the retirement pension would have been if the deceased had been 65 when death occurred; the benefit is equal to 6 months of this pension, up to a maximum of $2500.

The Canadian Pension Plan survivor's pension

The surviving legal spouse or common-law partner of a deceased contributor to the Canadian Pension Plan qualifies for this benefit. A person who is still a legal spouse but is separated at time of death may still be eligible if there is no current common-law partner. The amount the surviving spouse will receive depends on:

• Whether or not the spouse/common-law partner is also receiving a Canadian Pension Plan disability or retirement pension.
• How much, and how long the contributor paid into the plan.
• The age of the spouse/common-law partner when the contributor died.

CPP will first calculate how much the contributor's retirement pension is, or would have been, if he/she had been 65 when they died. A further calculation is then done based on the survivor's age at the time of the contributor's death. If the surviving spouse is:

• Aged 65 and over they will receive 60% of the contributor's retirement pension, if they are not receiving any other Canadian Pension Plan benefits.
• Aged 46-64, or under age 45 and disabled, or raising a dependent child, they will receive a flat rate plus 37.5% of the contributor's pension if they are not receiving any other Canadian Pension Plan benefits.
• Under the age of 45 and not disabled and not raising a dependent child, they will receive as above, but minus 1/120 for each month the spouse/common-law partner is under the age of 45 at the time of the contributor's death.
• Under the age of 35 and not disabled and not raising a dependent child, they will not be paid until they reach the age of 65, or become disabled.

The Canadian Pension Plan children's benefit

If a child has lost at least one parent who was a Canadian Pension Plan contributor, they may qualify for a benefit, provided that the deceased parent has met the contributory requirements. This benefit is paid as a flat rate that will be adjusted annually. If both parents are deceased and/or disabled and paid into the Canadian Pension Plan for the minimum amount of years, the child may qualify for 2 benefits. For children under the age of 18 this benefit is generally paid to the person that the child is living with. For children 18 years of age and older who are attending school fulltime (this includes college and university) the benefit will be directly paid to the child upon his/her application.

The Canada Pension Plan (CPP) is designed to provide basic benefits for contributors who retire or who become disabled. It is a taxable monthly benefit is paid to those who have contributed to the plan; it is based on how much and how long a person contributed to the plan as well as the age of retirement. Its function is to replace approximately 25% of the earning's of which the person's contributions are based.

Canadian Pension Plan offers 3 kinds of benefits:

• Retirement pension
• Disability benefits for contributors with a disability and their dependent children
• Survivor benefits which include the death benefit, the survivor’s pension and the children’s benefit

Retirement Pension

Qualification for CPP benefits requires at least one valid contribution to the Plan as well as:

• The applicant is at least 65 or
• The applicant is between 60 and 64 and meets the earning requirements

If the applicant is between the ages of 60 and 64 they must do one of the following in order to qualify for benefits:

• Stop working or
• Earn less than the specified amount ($884.58 for the 2008 year) the month preceding and the month following the month your pension begins.

Once pension benefits are received the applicant can work on an unlimited basis, however no more contributions to CPP will be eligible.

The age in which a person decides to take their Canadian Pension Plan determines the amount they will receive. The pension usually begins the month after the contributor turns 65. If you choose to receive this pension earlier than 65, the monthly payment will be smaller, if you choose to receive this pension later than 65 up to the age of 70 the monthly payment will be larger. The amount is adjusted 0.5% for each month before or after your 65th birthday from the time you begin to receive your benefits; this adjustment is permanent so if you choose to apply for your pension early the payments will not increase when you turn 65.

Several factors to consider regarding when to take your retirement pension are:

• Whether or not you are still working and contributing to the Plan
• The length of time in which you have made contributions
• How much you have earned (which may affect how much you’ve contributed)
• How much other retirement income you have
• The type of retirement you plan on having
• Your health

It is possible to get an estimate of your retirement pension at the CPP website. This can help you determine when to apply for retirement benefits, as well as give you an idea of how much you will receive should you apply for your benefits. If you decide to retire, it's best to apply for your Canadian Pension Plan benefits at least 6 months in advance; delay in application may result in lost benefits.

If you apply for your Canadian Pension Plan benefits after the age of 60, but before the age of 65 your pension starts at the latest of these following times:

• the month you specify on your application
• the month you stop working
• the month following your 60th birthday
• when your earnings are less than the allowable maximum pension payment for 2 months in a row

If you apply to begin receiving your benefits before you turn 65 or later you will begin to receive your benefits:

• the month of your 65th birthday
• the month you have specified on your application
• the 11th month prior to the month the CPP receives your application

Disability Benefits

The Canadian Pension Plan Disability Benefits provides a monthly benefit that is taxable to contributors who are disabled and to their dependent children. This benefit includes a fixed amount that everyone receives plus an additional amount that is based on your Canadian Pension Plan contributions during your entire working career; there is a maximum that can be received. Children under the age of 18 as well as children aged 18-25 who are attending school full time also receive a benefit (in 2008 the amount is $208.77); children can only receive this benefit if at least one parent is receiving the CPP disability benefit.

In order to qualify for this disability benefit the applicant must:

• be under 65
• have earned a specified minimum amount and contributed to CPP while working for a minimum amount of years
• have a severe and prolonged disability as defined by CPP legislation

The current legislation defines 'disability' as a physical and/or mental condition that is 'severe and prolonged' that regularly stops the applicant from being able to do any type of work. This relates to full-time, part-time as well as seasonal work; as well the applicant's disability is a long-term condition or is likely to result in death.

If the applicant has not contributed for enough years they may still qualify if:

• they have delayed applying and had enough years of contribution when they first became disabled and have been continuously disabled since then but now do not have enough contributions
• the applicant's CPP contributions were stopped/reduced due to raising children under the age of 7
• the applicant has obtained enough CPP credits from a former spouse/common-law partner through the credit sharing to make them eligible
• the applicant worked in another country in which Canada has a social security agreement and that when added to the CPP contributions equals the minimum requirement
• the applicant was medically incapable of applying

If a person is receiving Canadian Pension Plan disability benefits they will automatically convert into a retirement pension at the age of 65. There is no new application needed; however the retirement pension is usually lower than the disability benefit; applying for OAS benefits at this time is recommended. If the applicant is receiving retirement benefits when their disability benefits is approved CPP will automatically switch the applicant to disability benefits if it is clear that the disability started before the retirement pension began.

The next blog will address the Canada Pension Plan Survivor Benefits and will be posted in the next 2 weeks. For more information regarding disability insurance you can also refer to the information here. You can also visit the Canadian Pension Plan website for more detailed information.