2019 Surplus Distribution FAQ

The surplus is due to a number of factors:

• Initiatives to improve prevention, Return to Work and system efficiency have reduced the cost of injuries by decreasing the number of injuries, improving recovery times and reducing administrative costs.
• Our investments have had higher than expected returns for the last number of years.

Employers who fulfilled their payroll reporting responsibilities for 2018 and paid a WCB premium in 2018 are eligible to receive a share of the surplus distribution.

Employers who did not report their payroll for 2018 or who did not pay WCB premiums in 2018 are not eligible. However, if an employer subsequently submits their 2018 payroll the WCB will process the surplus distribution which will be applied to their account. 

Each eligible employer will receive a credit to their account of 40% of their 2018 actual premium.

The 40% surplus distribution will be calculated against an employer's  2018 premium; the premium is determined by multiplying the WCB rate by every $100 of payroll.

Employers aligned to an Industry-Based Safety Program do not have their safety levies included in the 2018 premium used for the surplus distribution calculation.

Eligible employers have received a credit to their account which has been applied against their 2019 premium. These credits are reflected in the May WCB Account Statements.

Future surplus distributions will depend on the WCB's funded position. The Board of Directors reviews the WCB's funded position annually and determines if a surplus distribution is warranted. 

Yes, the surplus distribution is taxable since it is a return of a 2019 tax deductible expense.