Why are long- and short-term disability insurance, life insurance, pension, medical, vision and dental care, and maternity leave benefits for research personnel considered discretionary benefits on Tri-Council Agency grants (NSERC, SSHRC, CIHR) at SFU?
Research Accounting FAQ
Why are long- and short-term disability insurance, life insurance, pension, medical, vision and dental care, and maternity leave benefits for research personnel considered discretionary benefits on Tri-Council Agency grants (NSERC, SSHRC, CIHR) at SFU?
As confirmed through Tri-Council Agency monitoring visits, only institutional non-discretionary benefits on compensation-related expenditures are allowable. Under the SFU policy for Employment of Personnel Funded from Research (R50.02), SFU's non-discretionary benefits are only legislated benefits which are Employment Insurance, Canada Pension Plan and Worker's Compensation coverage. Thus, long- and short-term disability insurance, life insurance, pension, medical, vision and dental care, and maternity leave benefits would be considered discretionary. Consequently, such benefits are not allowable on Tri-Council-related grants.