Canada’s top insurance for education workers, retirees expands eligibility to include non-dependent family

The benefits of membership just got sweeter for RTOERO members whose immediate family do not have health and dental coverage through their employer or another source. They can now invite their family to join RTOERO and access the full range of member benefits, including joining the Entente group insurance plans.

“Today’s economy includes a lot more contract work than decades past. People are working part- or full-time but without health benefits,” says John Cappelletti, Chair of RTOERO. “We heard from our members that they wanted their family members to be able to join us—we recognized the chance to help meet a real need while supporting our strategic goal to broaden our membership base.”

RTOERO membership is open to anyone who works or worked within the education community in Canada, and now, their immediate family. RTOERO defines immediate family as:

• partner, spouse, ex-spouse
• child, stepchild, child-in-law
• grandchild

Partners, spouses and dependent children continue to have access to coverage through the primary member’s plan. This expanded eligibility is intended for non-dependent family members or spouses interested in the other benefits of membership, such as attending social events organized by RTOERO districts.

RTOERO membership is free until retirement and when members join the Entente group plans. Here are some of the scenarios the newly expanded eligibility covers:

• A current education employee has coverage through work themselves but has an adult child who does not have coverage. The parent can join RTOERO as a member, allowing their child to join too and access the Entente group insurance program. 
• An education retiree is a member who has RTOERO coverage already and has a stepchild who is not a dependent and has no coverage. They can now join as a member access the Entente group insurance program. 
• An education retiree is a member with a spouse who wants to be more involved in RTOERO social activities. They can now get their own membership and take advantage of the many benefits offered by RTOERO to its members.

Explore RTOERO insurance plans. The page also includes the steps for immediate family to access the program.  

RTOERO is a bilingual trusted voice on healthy, active living in the retirement journey for the broader education community. With 85,000+ members in 51 districts across Canada, we are the largest national provider of non-profit group health benefits for education workers and retirees. We welcome members who work in or are retired from the early years, schools and school boards, post-secondary and any other capacity in education—and now, their immediate family members. We believe in a better future, together!