Autumn scene on UBC campus with trees displaying red and orange leaves, people walking along a pathway, and the UBC logo. Text reads: “Benefits FYI: Fall 2026.”

Welcome to Benefits FYI. In this edition:
Three people seated outdoors looking at a tablet together, with a blurred green background.

Keeping your benefits coverage: Don't miss these common Workday tasks 

Certain life and work changes require updates in Workday to keep your benefits coverage on track. Review the most common tasks and avoid unexpected surprises when you need your benefits most.

Protect your benefits coverage

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Person using a smartphone at a table with coffee, glasses and a small plant.

Getting the most out of your UBC Benefits

Are you paying more than necessary for your medical expenses? Here are two tips for reducing your out-of-pocket medical costs.

Learn more

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Benefits tip: Keep receipts and supporting documentation

When you submit a benefits claim, you must keep copies of your receipts and supporting documentation for your records. Having these documents readily available will make it easier to respond to Sun Life if they request the supporting information or if they conduct an audit of your claims.
Employees participating in a collaborative meeting, with laptops open and a diagram displayed on a whiteboard.

Webinar: Understanding Your UBC Benefits | Thursday, October 29 

Whether you're new to UBC or you want a refresher, this webinar will help you understand your benefits coverage, claims, Workday updates, resources and support. 

  • Date: Thursday, October 29, 2026
  • Time: 10:30 am–12:00 pm

Register and explore your coverage

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Participants attending a classroom-style learning session, seated at desks with laptops.

Best practices for using your tuition waiver benefit

Thinking about taking a course at UBC using your tuition waiver benefit? To help you apply successfully, we have answered some of the most frequently asked questions.

Learn more

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Noojimo Health logo displayed over a landscape with a lake, mountains and trees at sunset. Text reads: “Better Indigenous Mental Wellness Starts Here.”

Culturally safe mental health support for Indigenous faculty & staff

UBC faculty and staff who identify as Indigenous can access free, confidential, and culturally safe mental health services through Noojimo Health, an Indigenous-owned provider accessible through our EFAP platform, GreenShield+.

Learn more

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When we focus on wellbeing, everyone benefits

Your benefits plan is one way UBC can help support your health and wellbeing, but there are more opportunities to explore—here are some other initiatives to support your wellbeing at UBC.
Thrive banner: yellow background with blue Thrive banner and the words "November is Thrive"

Thrive signature events: Men's Mental Health Panel and Beyond the Pressure to Thrive

Now in its 17th year, Thrive continues to bring our UBC community together through events, resources and opportunities to learn, connect, and reflect.

Take a look at our two Thrive signature events.

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Image of Len Pierre holding an North American, Indigenous drum

Beyond the Pressure to Thrive: Teachings from the Medicine Basket with Len Pierre

Tuesday, November 10 | 9:30 am to 11 am

What does it mean to thrive in a world that so often asks us to do more, carry more and become more?

In this year’s Thrive keynote, Len Pierre invites us to rethink how we understand mental health, wellbeing and what it means to thrive.

Drawing on Indigenous ways of knowing and Coast Salish teachings, Len will explore wellbeing not as an individual achievement, but as something nurtured through relationship, reciprocity, connection, culture, and community.

Register for the Thrive keynote

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Promotional poster for the Men's Mental Health panel

Men’s Mental Health: A conversation with UBC researchers & practitioners

Tuesday, November 24 | 10:30 am to 12 pm

What shapes men’s mental health? And what can we do to create healthy, supportive communities?

As part of Thrive Month and Movember, join UBC researchers and practitioners for a conversation about men’s mental health, the experiences and environments that shape it, and what we can do to build strong supports for ourselves and others. UBC students, faculty, staff, and alumni are welcome to attend this free webinar, moderated by Professor John Oliffe from UBC's School of Nursing.

Learn more and register

Looking for more wellbeing resources and events?

Have you signed up for Healthy UBC? In this monthly newsletter, you will get a selection of our best health and wellbeing stories and events from across UBC.

Subscribe to Healthy UBC
Pink piggy bank sitting on a stack of books on a wooden surface, representing savings, education and financial planning.

UBC Faculty Pension Plan Seminar

Tuesday, November 3 | 12 pm to 1 pm

Understanding Your Retirement Income Options — For FPP members approaching retirement (age 55+).

Register

UBC Staff Pension Plan Workshops

Weds., October 21 and Tues., November 23 | 12 pm to 1 pm

Understanding Your Staff Pension Plan — For all SPP members.

Register

Updates to our faculty and staff perks

View the latest offers available to faculty and staff on the UBC Exclusive Discount and Perks page. 
Roof of the UBC alumni Centre

Take a look at alumni UBC's faculty & staff perks

Did you know that many of alumni UBC‘s benefits partners also offer discounts and services to UBC faculty and staff? Looking for a fun fall outing? Check out discounted tickets for Vancouver Whitecaps FC, BC Lions, Vancouver Rise FC and select Broadway Across Canada performances, including Disney's Beauty and the Beast.

Explore alumni perks

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Explore your benefits

Health, Wellbeing and Benefits
UBC Human Resources
600 - 6190 Agronomy Road
Vancouver, BC Canada, V6T 1Z3

hr.ubc.ca/benefits

You are receiving this email because you are enrolled in one or more UBC Benefits plans. To update your Primary email address, where you receive communications from UBC Benefits, please review the Change My Contact Information article or submit a support request through the UBC Self-Service Portal.

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Disclaimer: The information contained in Benefits FYI is for information purposes only; it is not a contract. In the event of a discrepancy between the information in Benefits FYI and the applicable contracts/documents, the applicable plan contracts/documents, collective agreements and/or governing legislation will apply. Unless otherwise specified in the newsletter, you must be registered and enrolled in the appropriate benefit plans to receive the coverage and/or services as described. Enrolment in some of the benefit plans is not automatic. For more information on benefits, visit hr.ubc.ca/benefits.
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