Building on last year’s benefit improvements, which included increases to loss of earnings benefits and raised the maximum annual earnings threshold, this latest round of changes enhances and simplifies survivor benefits, expands protections for young workers, improves retirement security for injured workers, and modernizes legislation to reflect today’s workforce and values.
“These updates reflect our ongoing commitment to ensuring a fair, sustainable, and easy-to-navigate compensation system for New Brunswick’s workers and employers,” said Tim Petersen, president and CEO of WorkSafeNB. “By modernizing benefits and legislation, we’re improving financial security for injured workers and their families, while keeping assessment rates stable for employers.”
Enhanced and Simplified Survivor Benefits ✅
Spouses of deceased workers will now receive 90% of net earnings, without a family income test, providing clearer, more stable financial support. (Effective July 1, 2025.)
Stronger Protection for Young Workers ✅
Outdated age limits for assessing a young worker’s future earnings will be expanded or removed, ensuring fair compensation for those pursuing education or training.
Larger Lump Sum Annuities ✅
Workers who can’t purchase a retirement annuity due to small amounts will now receive a lump sum payout if their set-aside savings are less than 60% of the New Brunswick Industrial Aggregate Earnings (approx. $30,770 in 2024).
Updated Impairment Ratings ✅
WorkSafeNB will adopt the latest AMA Guides, bringing assessments in line with internationally recognized medical standards for greater accuracy and fairness.
Clearer & More Inclusive Terminology ✅
The Workers’ Compensation Act will be updated to include plain language, remove outdated legal language and use inclusive terminology.
“These changes strike the right balance between strengthening support for injured workers and maintaining financial stability,” said Mel Norton, chairperson of WorkSafeNB’s board of directors. “We’re ensuring the compensation continues to evolve and respond to the needs of today’s workforce.”
WorkSafeNB will continue its five-year legislative review cycle, ensuring that New Brunswick’s workers’ compensation system remains modern, sustainable, and responsive for all who rely on it.
WorkSafeNB commends the Government of New Brunswick for moving forward with these important changes and being a partner in strengthening New Brunswick’s worker’s compensation system.
We are implementing several important enhancements, including:
These updates are part of our commitment to fairness, transparency, and sustainability. They follow last year’s benefit improvements and align with our goal to maintain a strong, modern, and stable compensation system for New Brunswick’s workers and employers.
Most changes will take effect upon Royal Assent in Spring 2025. Survivor benefit updates will come into force on July 1, 2025.
We are committed to supporting families during difficult times. With these legislative improvements, surviving spouses of deceased workers currently receiving 85% will now receive 90% of net earnings without a family income test. This change simplifies the process and provides greater financial stability, ensuring families have the support they need.
The updated survivor benefits will take effect on July 1, 2025.
We’re modernizing our benefits by expanding or removing the outdated age limit for loss of earnings assessments. This ensures that young workers who are still in education or training beyond age 21 receive fair compensation that reflects their full future career potential.
Young workers with long-term disabilities as a result of a workplace injury will have their future earnings assessed more equitably, considering education and career paths beyond age 21. This change provides greater fairness and security for their future.
We’re making it easier for injured workers to secure their retirement savings. The lump sum threshold for annuities is increasing from $500 per year to 60% of the New Brunswick Industrial Aggregate Earnings (NBIAE)—approximately $30,770 in 2024.
Many injured workers faced challenges to find financial institutions willing to provide annuities for smaller amounts. By increasing the threshold, we’re giving them a more practical and accessible option, making it easier for them to plan for their future with confidence.
We are updating impairment assessments by adopting the latest American Medical Association (AMA) Guides. This ensures assessments reflect current medical standards, providing injured workers with evaluations that are more accurate, and fair.
By using the most up-to-date and internationally recognized guidelines, we are making the impairment rating process more objective and transparent. This leads to fairer compensation outcomes and ensures that injured workers receive the support they deserve based on the best available medical expertise.
The Act is being updated to remove outdated legal terms, adopt gender-neutral language, and improve clarity. These changes make it easier for both workers and employers to understand their rights and responsibilities under the legislation.
No, these updates are language-focused only. They do not change the value or structure of benefits - only make the language more accessible, inclusive and easier to understand.
No, WorkSafeNB has a strong financial position (156.1% funded as of December 31, 2023). These changes are designed to be sustainable while keeping rates stable.
WorkSafeNB conducted a 90-day consultation in 2022. The proposed changes were largely supported by both worker and employer respondents.
The Injured Worker Advisory Committee (IWAC) has been involved in discussions and fully supports these improvements. IWAC members will help spread the word to ensure workers understand the enhanced benefits.