Sending your contribution file (File Upload Method only)

Introduction		The "Sending your contribution file" page is the first page in the "Submit a contribution" page flow. More instructions about completing this page follow.
Contribution for the Period		The "Contribution for the period" "To" date must be entered on this page and must match the period end date on the contribution file you are currently submitting. This contribution period/trade date cannot precede the Plan Start date. You can check "Contribution history" to review the period end dates on your recent contributions.
Contribution file template		Manulife can provide you with a pre-formatted Excel template with the required file format on diskette or by e-mail. To help you get started, here is a picture of a sample spreadsheet. This shows the type of information required to make contributions. Instructions on how to complete the spreadsheet follow.

Tips for preparing spreadsheet

Before you begin to enter information into the spreadsheet, review the following tips. Problems Tips Dollar amounts Always enter dollar amounts to two decimal places without a dollar sign. For Example: 54.45 No negative amounts Do not enter negative amounts on the spreadsheet. If an adjustment to a member's account is required due to an over-contribution, reduce the member's next contribution. Invalid characters The fields and columns that contain dollar amounts on the file must not contain any of the characters listed below. Note: This is not a comprehensive list of invalid characters that should not be in the file, but lists those most commonly found. Dollar signs $ Hyphens - Brackets () Percentage sign % Number sign # At @ Ampersand &  Asterisk *  Underscore _  slash \/  commas ,  blank spaces    double quotes " "  single quotes ' ' Unnecessary information Do not include unnecessary information such as hidden columns, formulas, previous contribution lists, etc. in the first seven columns of the spreadsheet. All columns beyond column seven will be ignored. Field labels and Column headings All field labels and column headings must appear as shown in the sample spreadsheet. Please do not delete any rows or columns. If a row or column is not applicable, just leave it blank. See the exception below for Contribution Categories.

Header record for your spreadsheet		First complete the header record information in rows 1 to 10 on your spreadsheet as per the instructions below. All 10 rows must appear on your spreadsheet, even if they are not being used. Information must be entered to the immediate right of the field label. Field label Instructions Plan Name Enter the company name Division name If applicable to your plan, enter the division/plan group name, which applies to the contribution being submitted. If not applicable to your plan or if submitting at the plan level, leave the field blank. Do not delete the row. Policy number Enter the policy number (eight digit maximum). Total Amount being contributed Enter the total dollars for this contribution to two decimal places and no dollar sign (e.g. 0000.00). This amount should match the total of all amounts entered under all contribution categories. Contribution period ending date Enter the period ending date for this contribution inYYYYMMMDD format (no spaces). This date must match the "Contribution for the period" "To" date entered on the first page of the function for "Submit a contribution." Methods of payment You can use any of the following methods: Pre-Authorized Debit(PAD) (not available for Share Ownership Plans) Wire Transfer Cheque Variance (if applicable to your plan) Forfeiture (if applicable to your plan) All five "Methods of payment" must be listed in your spreadsheet regardless if they apply to your plan.
Member records		You are now ready to enter the member contribution records. These records must immediately follow the Member Contribution Header Record, which must appear on row 11 of your spreadsheet. Add the member information to your spreadsheet in the order outlined below. The member information must be listed immediately below the column headings. I.e. Do not leave a blank row. Column heading Instructions Member Number Enter the member number that applies to each member for which their are contributions being submitted. The member number must match the member number on the records of Manulife Financial. Member Last Name Enter the last name of the member exactly as it appears on the records at Manulife Financial. Hyphens must be entered if the member's name is hyphenated. For example: Smith-Jones This is not a case-sensitive field. Member First Names Enter the first name of the member in a separate column to the right of the "Member Last Name" column. The first name must be entered exactly as it appears on the records at Manulife Financial. Hyphens must be entered if the member's name is hyphenated. For example: Mary-Lou This is not a case-sensitive field. Contribution categories Headings for the contribution categories must appear only once in columns four to seven in the spreadsheet. They should be either the Manulife standard, as per the sample spreadsheet, or the plan aliases, if applicable. Only the contribution categories that apply to the policy should appear on the spreadsheet and they can appear in any order. Enter the members' contribution amounts, to two decimal places without dollar signs, below the headers for the contribution categories. Totals and subtotals The words 'Total ' or 'Subtotal 'must appear in the Member Number column, if you have totals in your file.

Note for a spousal RRSP, the contributions must be submitted under the recipient's member number and name, as opposed to the contributor's number and name.

Saving your file		Once you have filled in your spreadsheet based on the pre-formatted template, save your file in Text Tab delimited (*.TXT) format by following the steps below:
		Step Action 1. Select "File" from the tool bar. 2. Select "Save as" from the "File" dropdown menu. 3. Select the dropdown arrow beside the "Save as type" field. 4. Select "Text (Tab delimited)(*.txt)" from the dropdown list. 5. Select "Save"
Browse		Now that you have saved your file in Text Tab delimited (*.TXT) format, you can either enter the file path and name (c:\february2001.txt) or select the "Browse" button and locate the name of the file you wish to submit. If using the "Browse" button, click the file name to select it. Once the file name has been entered or selected, click the "Continue" button to view any applicable file edits. If no file edits exist, you will be presented with a summary of the contribution and payment details.

Help Index

Getting started Preparation checklist Review messages (variable) (File Upload Method only) Providing payment information Verify and submit contribution and payment request Confirmation