The Workers Compensation Act provided that permanent disability benefits continue until age 65. The Act also provided that where WorkSafeBC was satisfied a worker would retire after reaching age 65, permanent disability benefits were payable to the date the worker would retire, as determined by WorkSafeBC.

At issue was whether the policy should be amended to clarify the following:

• When is a worker “retired”?
• What types of evidence should be considered when determining whether a worker would have retired after age 65?
• When should the decision on a worker’s retirement date be made?

Consultation closed November 23, 2012.