Established in 1969, the Service Income Security Insurance Plan (SISIP), as it was known then, was created as an insurance option to counter the lack of income replacement afforded to Canadian Forces (CF) personnel, in the event of disability or death not-attributable to military service.

Through the years, SISIP introduced a series of enhancements to its existing product lines, in an effort to further improve its value proposition to the CF. In 1976, for example, the SISIP Long Term Disability Plan (LTD) was expanded to include CF personnel, released with service-attributable injuries. In 1995, the Armed Forces Council approved the implementation of Financial Planning services to CF personnel. Nineteen ninety-eight (1998) was a banner year for SISIP: following the approval by the Program Management Board, SISIP implemented a financial counselling network for CF personnel at 18 bases/ wings across Canada; developed a new financial education program for recruits, officer-cadets, and junior and senior Non-Commission Members; and integrated the Canadian Forces Personnel Assistance Fund (CFPAF).

As SISIP expanded, so was its designation, to better showcase all the products and services it was delivering; hence forth, SISIP Financial Services (SISIP FS) was in an even better position to further its mission of “contributing to the operational readiness and effectiveness of the CF” by providing peace of mind to CF members, particularly when deployed. As an entity of the Department of National Defence, and as a division of the Canadian Forces Personnel and Family Support Services (CFPFSS), SISIP FS also enhances the quality of life of the military community by contributing steadily to many CF activities, in partnership with CANEX, within the CFPFSS Non-Public Property framework.

Despite the significant increase in the operational tempo, SISIP FS has been able to continue providing life insurance protection which guarantees the payment of claims, even if someone dies in a theatre of operations. For 40 years now, SISIP FS has been a mainstay in the lives of many CF members, striving to help secure a healthy financial future for them and their families.

Celebration of this milestone anniversary was highlighted by a ceremony at NDHQ on December 7, 2009, with the active participation of the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS). In his remarks, the CDS reflected on how these 40 years meant that now “two whole generations of CF members” had been the recipients of this support.

SISIP FS President, André Bouchard was most appreciative for the presence and the support of the CDS on this occasion stressing that “as an integral part of National Defence, we at SISIP FS look forward to 40 more Serving those who serve!”

Among its NPP charged programs, SISIP FS offers: Long Term Disability, including the Vocational Rehabilitation Program; Term Life insurance coverage including Accidental Dismemberment Insurance coverage; Comprehensive financial planning including advice and investment products; Financial counselling providing advice and assistance in the resolution of financial difficulties; Canadian Forces Personnel Assistance Fund (CFPAF) providing financial assistance through loans and grants; and Personal Financial Education Program providing various personal finance courses through formal CF training programs to recruits, officer cadets, junior and senior NCM leaders; Canadian Forces Dismemberment Plan for dismemberment attributable to military service (ADIP); and Partnership with Great West Life, Canadian Defence Community Banking (CDCB), FundEX, Manulife Financial.