KEY TAKEAWAYS

  • Coverage options for Sun Life's SunAdvantage plan include health insurance, dental, critical illness, and long-term disability, providing comprehensive support for employees' well-being.
  • The wellness initiatives, including Employee Assistance Programs (EAPs) and fitness benefits, promote employee well-being and contribute to a positive workplace culture
  • The average annual cost of employee benefits from Blue Cross is approximately $155.19 for the Entry plan, $188.05 for Essential plan, and $205.78 for Enhanced plan per employee monthly

IN THIS ARTICLE
IN THIS ARTICLE

Sun Life group benefits plan for small businesses offers flexible and affordable  benefits solutions tailored to your business needs. For small businesses with 3 to 49 employees, SunAdvantage provides an easy-to-manage benefits package. This plan includes a variety of benefits, such as health and dental coverage, critical illness insurance, and health spending accounts. 

They take care of plan member education and ongoing administration, allowing you to focus on growing your business while ensuring your team has the necessary coverage. This blog will explore key features, what the plan covers, and how you can get the Sun Life group benefits plans for your small business.

What are the key features of Sun Life’s employee benefits for small businesses plan?

Sun Life offers the SunAdvantage group benefits plan for small businesses with 3 to 49 employees, offering coverage between $25,000-$50,000. Permanent employees in a small business are eligible if they actively work at least 20 hours per week, while temporary employees work at least 20 hours per week for a minimum of 12 months.

Key features of Sun Life’s employee benefits for small businesses plan

Category Details
Minimum group size 3 to 24

employees

Maximum group size 25 to 49

employees

Minimum coverage amount $25,000
Maximum coverage amount $50,000
Business Eligibility In business for 3 months
Minimum participation A minimum participation of three employees ready to participate in each benefit
Employee eligibility Permanent employees are eligible if they actively work at least 20 hours per week; temporary employees working at least 20 hours per week, for a minimum of 12 months.
Participation rate An eligible employee participation rate of 75% or more.
Cost sharing Able to cover 50% of the cost of EHC and Dental (in Quebec, the minimum is 25%).
Minimum participation Three employees ready to participate in each benefit
Income Salaries should be high enough for employees to join the plan, with commissions and bonuses making up a small portion of total earnings.

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What does Sun Life’s group benefits plans for small businesses cover?

Sun Life’s SunAdvantage plan, offers customizable coverage for small businesses that include life insurance, accidental death and dismemberment benefits, extended health care, and optional benefits like critical illness insurance. The plan is designed to enhance employee attraction and retention.

Sun Life’s Employee Benefits for Small Businesses plan options

Coverage
Life Insurance
Minimum amount $20,000 (earnings based, flat amounts subject to size restrictions)
Maximum amount Up to $750,000 (subject to plan and size restrictions)
Termination Age 70
Reduction 50% at age 65
Flat amounts Up to $200,000 (earnings restrictions apply)
Accidental Death and Dismemberment

(AD&D) insurance

Rehabilitation Up to $10,000
Repatriation Up to $10,000
Spouse occupational training Up to $5,000
Child Education Benefit Up to $5,000 annually

for up to 4 years

Family transportation Up to $5,000
Short-Term Disability (STD) insurance
Waiting periods Accident: 0 to 14 calendar days

Sickness: 3, 7 or 14 calendar days

Duration of benefits 13, 15, 16, 17 or 26 weeks
Benefits formula Taxable & Non-Taxable: 50%, 55%, 60%, 66.7% or 67%

Taxable: 70%, 75% or 80%

Graded benefit formulas available upon request

Maximum Up to $1750 per week (20+ lives)
Long-Term Disability (LTD) insurance
Elimination period 90, 105, 112, 120 or 180 calendar days
Duration of benefits Age 65 and 2, 5 or 10 years
All-source cap 85% (Taxable & Non-Taxable)
Benefit formulas Taxable & Non-Taxable: 50%, 55%, 60%, 66.7% or 67%

Taxable: 70%, 75% or 80%

Graded benefit formulas available upon request

Maximum Up to $12,000 per month
Survivor Benefits (Option) 3 or 6 months
Extended Health Care
Drugs Coverage for prescription medications with a valid Health Canada drug identification number (DIN) varies based on the selected drug formulary.
Hospital Semi-private or private
Paramedical $100 to $1,000, or $1,250 combined
Vision (Option) $75 to $500
Out-of-province emergency 60 days ($3,000,000 lifetime maximum)
Emergency travel assistance
Meals and accommodation expenses $150 per day maximum per person up to 5 days
Repatriation of a deceased insured

member

$5,000 per return
Vehicle return Up to $500
Dental care
Basic/Preventive Included
Major (Option) 5 insured minimum required. 3 lives if

the group currently has Major Dental

Deductibles Single: $0, $25, $50 or $100

Family: $0, $25, $50, $100 or $200

Single parent or Couple (upon request):

$0, $25, $50, $100 or $200

Maximums (highest) Basic/preventive: $2,500

(Unlimited for qualifying groups)

Major: $3,000

Combined: $4,000

Orthodontic: $3,500 per lifetime

Health Spending Account
Credit allocation Two options available:

• The same number of credits for all employees, or

• A variable number of credits per employee

Administration Members have 90 days after the plan year to submit HSA claims.

All benefits must follow a 90-day proof-of-claim period.

Enrolment Employees can enroll in the HSA plan even if they waive health or dental coverage.

Learn more about types of Group Health Insurance Plans in Canada

What are other optional group benefits plans offered by Sun Life for small businesses?

Sun Life’s employee health plan for small businesses includes various optional benefits that enhance employee well-being, offering support for health, mental wellness, and financial security beyond core coverage. Below are the key benefits: 

Personal spending account (PSA)

A Personal Spending Account (PSA) is a simple, digital solution that complements your core benefits plan.

Here’s how it works: Employers allocate credits to each employee’s account, which can be used for various health and wellness expenses not covered by standard benefits. The eligible expenses include gym memberships, exercise equipment, child or elder care, and even legal or estate planning services.

What makes it great? It’s fully digital. Employees can manage their claims through Sun Life’s mobile app or website, making it simple and convenient. You choose the credit allocation schedule (monthly or annually) and can even decide on carry-forward options for unused credits.

With a PSA, you can offer modern health and wellness solutions beyond traditional benefits, supporting your employees’ physical, mental, and financial well-being.

Lumino health virtual care employee assistance program (EAP)

Lumino Health Virtual Care Employee Assistance Program (EAP) gives employees essential support for work and personal life. It offers:

  • Mental health support, including internet-based cognitive behavioral therapy (iCBT)
  • Legal and financial advice
  • Career and work counseling
  • Support for family and relationships
  • Critical incident response (available at an extra cost)

Medical and dental cost plus benefit coverage

Cost Plus is an optional benefit that extends group benefits beyond standard medical and dental coverage. It allows employers to cover additional health expenses for specific employees and their dependents.

Here’s how it works: Employers choose which employee groups qualify, and those employees submit claims for eligible medical, dental, or hospital expenses a few times a year. The benefits administrator completes a Cost Plus form and sends it with receipts and payment (including fees and taxes) to Sun Life, and then the employee receives reimbursement like a regular claim.

Group critical illness insurance

When it comes to benefits, critical illness insurance (CII) is a smart add-on to help employees manage financial stress during serious health challenges. It doesn’t replace other benefits; instead, it works alongside them to offer extra protection. With CII, employees can focus on recovery without worrying about medical bills. Employers can choose between two plan options:

  • Plan A covers the three most common conditions: life-threatening cancer, heart attack, and stroke.
  • Plan B offers broader protection, covering 25 conditions including Parkinson’s, kidney failure, and major organ transplants.

Covered Conditions Plan A Plan B
Cancer (Life-threatening) ✔️ ✔️
Heart attack ✔️ ✔️
Stroke ✔️ ✔️
Aortic surgery ✔️
Aplastic anemia ✔️
Bacterial meningitis ✔️
Benign brain tumor ✔️
Blindness ✔️
Coma ✔️
Coronary artery bypass surgery ✔️
Deafness ✔️
Deafness ✔️
Heart valve replacement or repair ✔️
Kidney failure ✔️
Loss of independent existence ✔️
Loss of limbs ✔️
Loss of speech ✔️
Major organ failure on waiting list ✔️
Major organ transplant ✔️
Motor neuron disease ✔️
Multiple sclerosis ✔️
Occupational HIV infection ✔️
Paralysis ✔️
Parkinson’s disease and specified

atypical parkinsonian disorders

✔️
Severe burns ✔️

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Who is eligible for Sun Life’s group benefits for small businesses?

To be eligible for Sun Life’s Employee Benefits for Small Businesses, employees must meet the following criteria:

  • Business Size: The business must have between 3 to 49 employees.
  • Employee Status: Employees must be:
    • Permanent employees actively working at least 20 hours per week, or
    • Temporary employees work at least 20 hours per week for a minimum of 12 months (note that temporary employees are not eligible for long-term disability benefits)
  • Residency: Employees must be residents of Canada and covered by their provincial healthcare plan.
  • Dependents: Eligible dependents include:
    • Spouses (legally married or common-law for at least 12 consecutive months).
    • Unmarried children under 21, or 27 if they are full-time students and financially dependent on the employee.

What we like about Sun Life’s group benefits plans for small businesses?

Sun Life’s group benefits for small businesses plan offers a flexible and affordable solution tailored to meet diverse employee needs while simplifying administration for employers. Here’s what we appreciate about it.

  • Affordable Flexibility that lets you tailor your employee benefits plan to fit both your team’s needs and your budget. 
  • Their easy administration lets you enjoy hassle-free setup with their plan sponsor administration kit, user-friendly website, and dedicated toll-free customer service support.
  • Fast and accurate claims processing ensures payments are deposited into employees’ accounts within 24-48 hours for approved claims. 
  • They provide clear communication with easy-to-understand guides that ensure your employees maximize their benefits from day one. 

Their comprehensive services offer individual wealth and insurance products to help you achieve long-term financial security and health.

Need insurance help?

Give us a call at 1-888-601-9980 or book some time with our licensed experts.

How does Sun Life assist in processing claims?

Sun Life makes claim processing simple with an online submission system available on desktop and mobile devices. Members can easily submit claims for benefits like accident and critical illness without mailing forms, upload documents, and track claim status in real-time. Plus, with direct billing options at certain healthcare providers, reimbursements are faster—often within 24-48 hours for those enrolled in direct deposit.

How to request a quote from Sun Life?

To receive a competitive benefits quote from Sun Life, you’ll need to provide key details, such as:

  • Company name, address, and business type
  • Number of employees (including those on leave, seasonal, or excluded from coverage)
  • Benefit plan design specifications

Providing extra information, like employees on disability or maternity leave or involved in risky activities, can also help in the evaluation process and get you the best rates.

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Frequently Asked Questions

How does enrollment at Sun Life work?

Enrollment can be conducted online or via paper forms. Sun Life offers support through webinars, one-on-one meetings, and multilingual benefit counselors to assist employees during the enrollment process.

How does Sun Life’s Health Spending Account benefit employees?

Sun Life’s Health Spending Account (HSA) offers employees flexible, tax-free funds for various health-related expenses not covered by standard insurance. This empowers them to take control of their healthcare costs, enhances their overall well-being, and promotes financial security through tailored spending options.

Can I buy additional health insurance?

Absolutely! You can purchase health insurance to complement your group benefits. For instance, if your group plan doesn’t cover critical illnesses, you can consider buying a critical illness insurance policy for additional protection.

Can I continue my life insurance coverage if I retire or leave my job?

Yes, you can maintain your Sun Life life insurance coverage after retirement or leaving your job. You have the option to convert your group life insurance into an individual policy within a specified timeframe—usually 31 days after your workplace coverage ends—without needing to answer health questions or undergo medical tests. This ensures you have continued protection tailored to your needs after your employment ends.

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Call us at 1-888-601-9980 or book time with our licensed experts.
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SUMMARY

Sun Life’s SunAdvantage plan offers flexible, affordable group benefits for small businesses with 3 to 49 employees with coverage options ranging from $25,000 to $50,000. Key features include customizable life insurance, accidental death and dismemberment benefits, extended health care, and optional critical illness insurance. Sun Life’s easy online claims processing and dedicated support, enhances employee attraction and retention.

Written By
Brandon Jeeteng Chow
Insurance Advisor, LLQP
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