YMCA Group Life
Information for Employees
Death in service benefit
The YMCA Pension Plan Trustee manages a death in service benefit scheme on behalf of those YMCAs which have decided to participate in the scheme. This arrangement provides a lump sum benefit for employees who die in service whilst employed by their participating YMCA. Currently over 2200 staff members are covered by the arrangement.
You should check with your employer whether they participate in this arrangement and the cover that they have arranged for you.
Expression of Wish
Outlined below are a number of important documents for you to consider.
It is also highly important that you complete the Expression of Wish Form to ensure the Pension Plan Trustee is clear on who you wish such benefit to be paid to in the event of your death.
Currently Canada Life is the insurer but the Trustee may change this in future.
Benefits provided
The benefits provided under the policy, in addition to the lump sum payment, are listed below and shown on the Group Life Support Services Guide 2024.
1. Bereavement counselling
2. Probate Helpline
3. myStrength which provides mental wellbeing support
Further details of these three additional benefits can be found at the links below:
Bereavement Counselling
This provides access to a dedicated helpline and up to four telephone sessions with a qualified counsellor.
Probate Assistance
The Probate Helpline provides access to probate experts who can help you with advice on contents of a will, administration of estate, finding missing beneficiaries and applying for probate.
Personalised mental wellbeing support
This offers support on topics such as meditation and improving sleep. You can learn from hundreds of activities at your own pace, helping you make simple everyday changes to improve your mental wellbeing.
Canada Life wellbeing videos
Canada Life has a range of wellbeing videos available on demand, with topics ranging from Mental Health, Cancer and Mens/Womens Health articles. This is free to access, it just requires registration with an email.
Additional information
The following documents provide further information relating to the Group Life scheme:
• The latest Scheme’s annual accounts: YMCA Group Life Accounts 2024
• The Scheme’s Data Privacy Notice: Data Privacy Notice 2025
• The Scheme’s Trust Deed and Rules Trust Deed and Rules, February 2008
Information for Employers
- Canada Life has provided access to their Wellbeing Calendar for employers, this is free to access. It just requires registration with an email.
- The calendar can help with ideas on wellbeing initiatives each month and tie-in with national wellbeing initiatives. Once registered you can also access Canada Life’s Health & Wellbeing Media Content, which includes Line Manager Mental Health Training, Financial Wellbeing and topics on both men’s and women’s health. All content is free to view.