Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
- Q. With regard to
Pension Splitting, what is CARP advocating for single retirees?
- Q.
How do individuals elect to split eligible pension income?
- Q.
What is the status of the tax rate for Canadians who receive US Social
Security?
- Q.
Where can I upgrade my skills as an older driver?
- Q. Why aren’t Prostate-Specific Antigen (PSA test) covered by
provincial health care plans?
- Q. Who should I
contact if I have a problem with a retailer or service provider?
- Q. How do I file a consumer complaint?
- Q. Where can I go
for legal advice for seniors in Ontario?
- Q. Where can I
find financial aid (in my province)?
- Q. How can I find
out about subsidized Seniors Housing and Long-Term Care Facilities in my
area?
- Q.
Where can I find information regarding caring for grandchildren in my
province?
- Q.
What is the current status of pensions of British expats living in Canada?
- Q. Where can I
find information on Retirement Communities?
- Q.
Where do I apply for my Seniors Card?
- Q.
What do I do if I am experiencing Age Discrimination in the workplace?
- Q.
Where can I find help with my Income Tax forms?
- Q.
What is CARP doing to improve Survivors Benefits?
- Q.
Does my Provincial benefit plan (e.g. OHIP) cover me when I am out of
province/territory?
- Q.
Where can I find information about Retiring Abroad?
- Q.
How do I know I am getting what I am entitled to in regards to CPP?
- Q.
What is CARP doing about the underestimation of the CPI?
- Q.
Where can I find recreational or leisure groups for the 50Plus?
- Q.
Where can I go if I am looking for employment opportunities?
- Q.
Where do I go for information on how to unlock LIFs 25% in Ontario?
- Q.
Where do I go to find information regarding unlocking LIFs 50% in
federally regulated industries?
- Q. Where can I find information and details on Pension
Income splitting?
- Q. What is CARP doing for low income seniors who are
below the poverty line?
- Q. How do I know which medications
are available in Canada?
- Q. Are there any programs that
offer assistance to seniors with disabilities who need to get renovations
done to their homes?
- Q. Are there any programs that
offer assistance to seniors who are aging and would like to make some
adaptations/renovations to their home?
- Q. Are there any programs for seniors that cover emergency
repairs?
Q. With regard to Pension Splitting, what is CARP
advocating for single retirees?
A. CARP is advocating for:
·
Higher personal
exemption
·
Increase in
pension credit
·
Increase in age
amount
·
Changes in
capping of CPP survivor’s benefits
·
Return to 71
(from 69) for conversion of RRSPs to RIFs
·
Greater access
to LIFs
·
Higher base
amount and annual increases for GIS payments
Q. How do individuals elect to
split eligible pension income?
A. The pensioner
and spouse or common-law partner have to make a joint election in prescribed
form with their income tax returns for the year on or before their filing due
date (generally April 30 of the year following the tax year, or June 15 if
self-employed). The new Form T1032, Joint Election to Split Pension Income,
will be available in January 2008. The 2007 income tax return will include a
new line for the pensioner to deduct the amount of pension allocated to the
spouse or common-law partner. A new line will also be added for the spouse or
common-law partner to report the allocated pension income.
Q. What is the status of the tax rate for Canadians
who receive US Social Security?
A. M.P.
Jeff Watson’s private member’s Bill C-305 regarding Canadians receiving U.S.
Social Security is currently before the Finance Committee. The purpose of the Bill is to return to the
previous arrangement whereby 50 per cent of U.S. Social Security is considered
taxable income, rather than 85 per cent, which is the current practice. CARP
presented a Brief in support of this Bill.
Q. Where can I
upgrade my skills as an older driver?
A. Canada’s Safety Council offers driver
refresher training courses called 55 Alive. http://www.safety-council.org/training/55alive/55alive.htm
Or
check out the Driver Refresher seminar for mature Canadians.
http://www.drivewise.ca/display.cfm?cabinetID=160&libraryID=46&documentID=190
Q. Why aren’t
Prostate-Specific Antigen (PSA test) covered by provincial health care
plans?
A. It varies according to province, and most
provinces are not covered unless cancer is diagnosed. Argument
against: PSA is not always reliable
in that numbers can be elevated without the presence of cancer and therefore
requires biopsy. Argument for: even if only 25 per cent of results are cause for
concern and could indicate cancer, this is still a significant number.
PSA is just one of the
methods of detecting prostate cancer.
Q. Who should
I contact if I have a problem with a retailer or service provider?
A. Please contact the Better Business Bureau
at http://welcome.bbb.org/.
You can also refer
complainants to Provincial Consumer Protection departments. Call 1-800 O CANADA
to find the contact information in your province.
Q. How do I file a consumer complaint?
A. Go to www.ConsumerInformation.ca The Complaint Courier is an interactive
online system to help you express your complaint more effectively. The system
will walk you through a range of options, from writing letters to making
effective phone calls. Click on "File a Complaint" to access the
resources and expert advice you need.
Q. Where can I
go for legal advice for seniors in
A. Please contact ACE, Access Centre for the
Elderly at http://www.advocacycentreelderly.org/
or by telephone at 416-598-2656.
For inquiries from other
cities and provinces please go to:
http://www.seniorsinfo.ca/welcome or http://www.seniors.gc.ca/.
Q. Where can I find financial aid (in my province)?
PEI- Senior Secretariat Financial Assistance Program
Charlottetown
Montague Phone: 902-838-0728
O’Leary Phone: 902-859-8811
Summerside Phone: 902-888-8122
For more information, visit
the Website. http://www.gov.pe.ca/infopei/index.php3?number=1018760&lang=E
Nova Scotia- Provincial Income Assistant Department of Community Services
Individual income based
Toll free: 1-877-424-1177
Quebec- Tax credit for home-support services for seniors and tax credit for
medical expenses
Revenue
For more information, visit
the Website. http://www.revenu.gouv.qc.ca/eng/particulier/impots/impot/credit_remb/maintien_domicile/
Ontario-
Ministry of Revenue
1 800 263-7965
1 800 668-5821 for service in French
1 800 263-7776 for teletypewriter
For more information, visit
the Website.
http://www.rev.gov.on.ca/english/credit/gains/
New Brunswick- Low-Income Seniors' Benefit
Department of Finance,
Revenue and Taxation Division at 1-800-669-7070.
For more information, visit
the Website. (link: http://www.gnb.ca/0024/tax/seniors.asp)
Newfoundland
Department of Finance
Taxation and Fiscal Policy Branch
Telephone: (709) 729-3166
For more information, visit
the Website. (link: http://www.fin.gov.nl.ca/fin/taxcreditsprogs-lowsenr.html)
Manitoba-
Telephone: 204-523-5230
For more information, visit
the Website.
http://www.gov.mb.ca/fs/assistance/55plus.html
Toll-free in
For more information, visit
the Website. http://www.seniors.gov.ab.ca/financial_assistance/seniors_benefit/index.asp
In
Outside of
For more information, visit
the Website.
BC- Senior's Supplement
Contact by telephone at
1-866-866-0800 (press 4, then 1) or visit the Website. http://www.cserv.gov.bc.ca/seniors/guide/finances/seniors_supp.htm
Yukon
Telephone: (867) 667-3673
Toll free (in
For more information, visit
the Website. http://www.hss.gov.yk.ca/programs/social_services/seniors/ysis/
NWT-Senior Citizen Supplement Benefit
Income Support Programs
Division
Phone: (867) 920-8921
Toll-free:1-800-661-0763
For more information, visit
the Website.
http://www.hlthss.gov.nt.ca/seniors/pension/other_income_programs/senior_citizen_supplementary_benefit.asp
Nunavut-Senior Citizen benefit
Income Support Division-
Department of Education
Phone (867) 975-5680
For more information, visit
the Website.
http://www.gov.nu.ca/education/eng/is/territ_sen_supp.htm
For more inform0
Q. How can I
find out about subsidized Seniors Housing and Long-Term Care Facilities in my
area?
A. Please contact a service provider in your
province or territory listed below.
and
NOVA
PRINCE EDWARD ISLAND 902-368-4000
You may also request a copy
of the Care Guide which has a listing of LTC facilities at: http://www.thecareguide.com/
Q. Where can I
find information regarding caring for grandchildren in my province?
A. Please
contact the community services branch in your province.
cs.communications@gov.ab.ca
BC MINISTRY OF CHILDRENS’
FAMILY 1-800-663-7867
DEVELOPMENT enquirybc@gov.bc.ca
AND HOUSING www.gov.mb.ca/fs/childfam
NEW BRUNSWICK DEPARTMENT 506-453-2001
OF FAMILY & COMMUNITY
SERVICES www.gnb.ca
NEWFOUNDLAND & LABRADOR 1-877-753-3888
OFFICE OF CHILD & YOUTH
ADVOCATE www.childyouthadvocate.nf.ca
NOVA
FAMILY & YOUTH www.gov.ns.ca/coms
CHILD AND FAMILY SERVICES www.gov.nt.ca
NUNAVUT DEPARTMENT OF
CULTURE 867-975-5500
LANGUAGE, ELDERS AND YOUTH www.gov.nu.ca
ONTARIO MINISTRY OF CHILDREN 1-866-821-7770
AND YOUTH SERVICES www.children.gov.on.ca/mcys
www.centrejeunessedemontreal.qc.ca
FAMILY SERVICES www.cr.gov.sk.ca
YUKON DEPARTMENT OF CHILD 867-873-7046
AND FAMILY SERVICES www.commnity.gov.ykca
SERVICE
National
Organization-CANGRANDS welcomes all grandparents and Kinship families who are
raising grandchildren or extended family members. Their aim is to support
grandmothers, grandfathers, and Kinship families to maintain or re-establish
family ties. You will find some answers to frequently asked questions
concerning legal and health issues, as well as practical help for those Kin
raising children and grandchildren. Visit the Website at: http://www.cangrands.com/
Q. What is the
current status of pensions of British expats living in
A. CARP continues to campaign for
equivalency for expats living in
For more detailed
information please contact: The Canadian
Alliance of British Pensioners, an organization that lobbies the U.K.
Government for expatriates to have their pensions increased to the same amount
as those living in
Q. Where can
I find information on Retirement Communities?
A. Please check out the “where to retire” checklist at: http://www.50plus.com/RetirementLiving/BrowseAllArticles/index.cfm?documentID=8084
And our classifieds section
with community listings at:
http://50plus.com/Classifieds/RetirementCommunities/index.cfm
You may request a copy of
the Care Guide at http://www.thecareguide.com/
a free resource to help you make informed decisions
about seniors’ housing, care services and related matters for you or a loved
one. Also At TheCareGuide.com you will find loads of helpful information
including care provider listings for retirement homes, independent supportive
living residences, assisted living residences, long-term care homes, Alzheimer
care homes, home health care and community support services across Alberta,
British Columbia and Ontario. (Other provinces across the country will be
added.)
Q. Where do I
apply for my Seniors Card?
A. Please contact Service Canada
at: http://www.servicecanada.gc.ca/
Q. What do I do
if I am experiencing Age Discrimination in the workplace?
A. To find out more about your rights
and to file a complaint in your province, click here.
http://www.chrc-ccdp.ca/links/default-en.asp
Q. Where can
I find help with my Income Tax forms?
A. Please see the Community Volunteer
Income Tax Program and Volunteer Tax Preparation Clinics at
http://www.cra-arc.gc.ca/tax/individuals/volunteer/clinics/menu-e.html
Or contact the Canada
Revenue Agency at:
http://www.cra-arc.gc.ca/menu-e.html
Q. What is
CARP doing to improve Survivors Benefits?
A. CARP’s advocacy policy is to remove the cap on
survivors’ benefits so that the survivor can continue to receive the total
amount of CPP paid prior to the death of the other spouse. CARP has been
advocating to increase the base amount.
Q. Does my
Provincial benefit plan (e.g. OHIP) cover me when I am out of
province/territory?
A. Please contact your provincial plan provider:
http://www.health.gov.bc.ca/insurance/
http://www.health.gov.ab.ca/ahcip/AHCIP.html
http://www.gov.mb.ca/health/mhsip/index.html
http://www.health.gov.sk.ca/health-benefits
http://www.health.gov.on.ca/english/public/program/ohip/ohip_mn.html
http://www.ramq.gouv.qc.ca/en/citoyens/assurancemaladie/index.shtml
http://www.gov.ns.ca/health/msi/
http://www.gnb.ca/0051/index-e.asp
http://www.health.gov.nl.ca/mcp/
http://www.gov.pe.ca/infopei/index.php3?number=76409&lang=E
http://www.hss.gov.yk.ca/programs/insured_hearing/health_card/
Q. Where can I
find information about Retiring Abroad?
- For
Canadians looking for information on retiring abroad click here
http://www.voyage.gc.ca/main/living/retiring_abroad-en.asp
for
a brochure and other details. Also check
out TransitionsAbroad.
http://www.transitionsabroad.com/listings/living/resources/publishers.shtml
Q. How do I
know I am getting what I am entitled to in regards to CPP?
A. Please call the CPP information line
at: 1-800-277-9914 or visit them online.
http://www1.servicecanada.gc.ca/en/isp/cpp/cpptoc.shtml
Also you can visit the
Retirement Planning Institute at: http://www.rpi-ipr.com/ or by phone at: +1
(888) 822-3948
Q. What is
CARP doing about the underestimation of the CPI?
A. CARP proposes that the Statistics Canada
error in the underestimation of CPI during 2001-2006 should be rectified by
increasing all pensions in accordance with the properly adjusted CPI.
Please contact the Minister
of Finance (http://www.fin.gc.ca/admin/contact-e.html)
in support of CARP’s proposal or Minister of Human
Resources and Social Development Hon. Monte Solberg at solbem@parl.gc.ca
Q. Where can I
find recreational or leisure groups for the 50Plus?
A. Please contact the Recreation and Parks
association in your province as well as local Seniors Centres. You can also
check the government pages in your phone books.
Q. Where can I go if I am looking for employment
opportunities?
A. Please visit www.retiredworker.ca.
Another useful resource is the SkillsMatch website (www.skillsmatch.ca) which bills itself as
“The career store for the over-40 worker.”
Q. Where do I
go for information on how to unlock LIFs 25% in
A. Please go to the Financial
Services Commission of Ontario (http://www.fsco.gov.on.ca/) to find
information as well as the necessary pension unlocking forms.
Q. Where do I
go to find information regarding unlocking LIFs 50% in federally regulated
industries?
A. Click here (http://www.osfi-bsif.gc.ca/osfi/index_e.aspx?ArticleID=1560
)or here (http://www.osfi-bsif.gc.ca/osfi/index_e.aspx?ArticleID=1556
)for
FAQs.
Q.
Where can I find information and details on Pension Income splitting?
A. For information
about pension income splitting, contact the Canada Revenue Agency. You can
visit their Website (www.cra.gc.ca/seniors)
or by telephone at 1-800-959-8281. Also
check out http://www.pensionsplitting.ca/
Q.
What is CARP doing for low income seniors who are below the poverty
line?
A.
CARP has been meeting with politicians and bureaucrats to address the
issue of seniors and poverty. Some of
our recommendations include:
ü Raise the
LICO to more accurately reflect the real cost of living.
ü Increase the
base amount of GIS payments to meet the readjusted LICO and therefore the real
cost of living.
ü Reimburse all
pensioners the full amount of the shortfall caused by Statistic
ü Include
fluctuating volatile items (e.g., food, fuel, etc.) in the calculations of the
CPI to ensure realistic increases to pensions and supplements.
ü Change the
base level of taxable income from $15,000 to $25,000.
ü Reimburse
CPP retroactive payments after age 70, beyond the current eleven months and
with interest to cover the complete missed period of payments due to a late
application.
Note:
the 2008 Federal Budget will allow people on GIS to earn up to $3500 above the
LICO without any adverse impact on their GIS.
Q. How do I
know which medications are available in
A. For important information, click here http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/dhp-mps/prodpharma/databasdon/index_e.html
and here.
http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/dhp-mps/prodpharma/index_e.html
Q. Are there any programs that offer assistance to seniors with
disabilities who need to get renovations done to their homes?
A. Canada
Mortgage and Housing Corporation has a Residential Rehabilitation Assistance
Program for Persons with Disabilities (RRAP-Disabilities)
Visit the Website
(http://www.cmhc-schl.gc.ca/en/co/prfinas/prfinas_003.cfm)or
call the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) at 1 800 668-2642
Q. Are there any programs that
offer assistance to seniors who are aging and would like to make some
adaptations/renovations to their home?
A. The Home Adaptations for Seniors' Independence Program
helps homeowners and landlords pay for home adaptations that will allow
low-income seniors to stay in their own homes longer.
Visit the Website (http://www.cmhc-schl.gc.ca/en/ab/noho/noho_006.cfm
)or call the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) at 1 800 668-2642
Q. Are there any
programs for seniors that cover emergency repairs?
A. The Emergency Repair Program
helps low-income homeowners or occupants in rural and remote areas pay for emergency
repairs to keep their homes safe.
Visit the Website (http://www.cmhc-schl.gc.ca/en/ab/noho/noho_005.cfm)
or call the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) at 1 800 668-2642.
Seniors Information
Links:
Seniors
Provincial and Territorial
Contacts- Senior related enquiries
http://www.seniors.gc.ca/content.jsp?lang=en&geo=1&&contentid=112