PSPP's administrator, Alberta Pensions Services Corporation (APS), will mail you a welcome package. 

This package includes:

• A member handbook
• Forms to fill out
• A satisfaction survey
• A self-addressed, postage paid return envelope

Further Information:
PSPP At-a-Glance

The Designation of Beneficiary(ies) Form tells us to whom your benefit is to be paid if you die before retirement. If you have a pension partner, that person is automatically your beneficiary, but you should complete the Designation of Beneficiary(ies) Form and send it to PSPP's administrator, Alberta Pensions Services Corporation (APS), in case your pension partner dies before you and cannot be paid the benefit.

Further Information:
Designation of Beneficiary(ies) Form (PS2)
Multiple Beneficiaries Form (PS2L)
PSPP At-a-Glance
Death Before Retirement

• The PSPP legislation provides that the PSP Board must adjust the contribution rates based on the recommendation of its actuary to meet funding requirements.

• Contribution rates are paid on pensionable salary up to the salary cap. The salary cap is determined each year based on rules under the federal income tax legislation that limits the amount of benefit that can be paid from a registered pension plan such as the PSPP.

Members' Handbook - How Much Do You Contribute?

Members and employers make contributions to the pension plan. Membership is usually a condition of employment and is not optional.

Further information:
Member Handbook - Your Membership

If you have re-joined the Public Service Pension Plan (PSPP), your funds will automatically be added to your new pensionable service under PSPP.
 
Members of PSPP with pension contributions in a different pension plan may be eligible to transfer those entitlements to PSPP through a reciprocal transfer. PSPP currently has transfer agreements with the following pension plans:

Within the Alberta Pensions Services Corporation (APS) family of plans:

• Management Employees Pension Plan (MEPP)
• Local Authorities Pension Plan (LAPP)

Further information:
Transfers into PSPP from LAPP or MEPP

If you have previous service with the Special Forces Pension Plan (SFPP), please contact Alberta Pension Services Corporation for more information on how to transfer your SFPP benefits into PSPP.

Under the Alberta Teachers Retirement Fund (ATRF) Agreement:
Transfer into PSPP from ATRF

Under the National Transfer Agreement:

• British Columbia College Pension Plan
• British Columbia Municipal Pension Plan
• British Columbia Public Service Pension Plan
• British Columbia Teachers' Pension Plan
• Manitoba Civil Service Superannuation Fund
• Newfoundland and Labrador Public Service Pension Plan
• Nova Scotia Public Service Superannuation Plan
• New Brunswick Public Service Superannuation Plan
• Ontario Pension Board 
• OPSEU Pension Trust 
• Province of Quebec (La Commission administrative des régimes de retraite et d'assurances)
• Régime de retraite des employés du gouvernement et des organismes publics (RREGOP) (Government and Public Employees)
• Régime de retraite du personnel d'encadrement (RRPE) (Management Personnel)
• Régime de retraite des enseignants (RRE) (Teachers Pension Plan)
• Régime de retraite des fonctionnaires (RRF) (Civil Service Superannuation Plan)
• Régime de retraite de certains enseignants (Certain Teachers)

Further information:
Transfers into PSPP from the National Transfer Agreement

Under the Federal Transfer Agreement (Public Service Superannuation Pension Plan):
Transfers into PSPP under the Public Service Superannuation Pension Plan

If you current pension plan does not appear on this list, please contact PSPP for more options for transferring service.

PSPP is an important part of your preparation for a secure retirement income. The value of your pension plan is great, for the following reasons:

• The pension is paid for your lifetime.
• PSPP assures you a specified income regardless of market conditions or how long you live.
• Every year after you begin to receive your pension, you will automatically get a cost-of living adjustment of 60 per cent of the increase in the Alberta Consumer Price Index.

Several factors affect the pension you will receive at retirement, including:

• your pensionable salary;
• your years of pensionable service;
• whether or not you buy any optional service or leaves of absence; and
• your pension partner status.

If you leave the Plan before retirement, there are a number of options available to you.

Further Information:
Member Handbook - What is Your Benefit?
How is Your Pension Calculated?
What are Your Pension Options?
Get a pension estimate using mypensionplan

The Public Service Pension Plan (PSPP) has served employees of the Government of Alberta and other public bodies since 1947.

PSPP is a defined benefit plan which means you will receive a pension based on your pensionable salary and years of pensionable service. This enables you to plan for your retirement because you can estimate your future pension income. The Plan is financed by employee and employer contributions and by investment earnings.

Further Information:
Member Handbook - Welcome!
About PSPP
PSPP At-a-Glance
Member Services Centre

Yes, your pension contributions are tax deductible. As a member of a defined benefit plan, your taxable income is reduced by the amount of allowable pension contributions you make. Your employer will report your tax deductible pension contributions on your T4.

For more information on how your pension might affect your RRSPs, see the following:
Member Handbook - How Much Do You Contribute?

Further information:
Canada Revenue Agency

With two or more years of pensionable service, including any combined pensionable service, you are eligible to receive a pension at retirement. You can retire any time after you reach age 55.

Leaving the Plan Under Age 55
If you are under age 55 and decide to leave the Plan with two years of pensionable service, see the following:
Members' Handbook - Options if You Leave Before Retiring
Leaving Your Funds with the Pension Plan
Leaving the Plan (under age 55 with two or more years of pensionable service)

Leaving the Plan Over Age 55
If you are 55 or older and decide to leave the Plan with two years of pensionable service, see the following:
Member Handbook - Options if You Leave Before Retiring
Leaving Your Funds with the Pension Plan
Leaving the Plan (age 55 or older with two or more years of pensionable service but before 85 points)
Leaving the Plan (age 55 or older with 85 points or age 65)

Pension plans like PSPP are long-term investors. The contribution dollars of members joining the plan today will be invested and reinvested for many years into the future. The investments compound and grow over time before being used to pay out to members as pensions during their retirement years.

Your pension board sets funding and investment policies which are regularly monitored. The board, with the advice of an actuary, sets a funding policy to ensure member and employer contribution levels are sufficient. The contributions, together with expected investment returns, will pay all future pension liabilities.

Further Information:
About PSPP: Financial/Investments

Access your pension information at any time by registering for mypensionplan, a secure online service that provides personalized pension information to active and deferred members. Additionally, every year, Alberta Pension Services Corporation (APS), PSPP's plan administrator, sends an annual statement outlining your contributions, pensionable service and pensionable salary.

It is the pension partner's right to be paid a lifetime pension benefit if you die. However, pension rules allow your pension partner to waive his or her right to the death benefit that would be paid to him or her if you die before you retire. This provision may provide you with greater flexibility when planning for your family's needs. To waive their rights your pension partner needs to complete a Pension Partner Waiver of Pre-retirement Death Benefit Statutory Declaration Form, below.

Further Information:
Pension Partner Waiver of Pre-pension Commencement of Death Benefit Form (40)
Pension Partner Waiver of Pre-retirement Death Benefit Information Sheet

You can update your address, phone number, e-mail address and beneficiary information online via mypensionplan or by completing the the forms available on the Members' Information Sheets & Forms on the PSPP website or by contacting your employer.

Inform your employer of any changes you make through mypensionplan as we do not notify your employer of these changes.

If a PSPP employer no longer employs you (meaning you are a deferred member), you can still update your personal data online via mypensionplan or bycompleting the forms on the PSPP website or by contacting PSPP.

The normal retirement date is 65, but you can retire anytime after age 55 if you have two years of PSPP membership. Your pension may be reduced for early retirement.

You can contribute to PSPP for no more than 35 years. However, if you continue working beyond 35 years, your salary after that point may be taken into account when calculating your highest average salary.

You must start your pension by December 31 of the year you turn age 71.

Further Information:
Member Handbook - When Can You Retire?
How is Your Pension Calculated?
What are Your Pension Options?
Leaving the Plan Package A: Leaving the Plan any age before age 65 with fewer than 2 years of plan membership
Leaving the Plan Package B: Leaving the Plan under age 55 with 2 or more years of plan membership
Leaving the Plan Package C: Leaving the Plan at age 55 or older with 2 or more years of plan membership, but before 85 points
Leaving the Plan Package D: Leaving the Plan at age 55 or older with at least 85 points or age 65
Retirement Application Form (21)
Pension Estimate Request Form (88)
I need a pension estimate

The normal retirement date is 65, but you can retire anytime after age 55 if you have two years of pensionable service. Your pension may be reduced for early retirement.

You can contribute to PSPP for no more than 35 years. However, if you continue working beyond 35 years, your salary after that point may be taken into account when calculating your highest average salary.

You must start your pension by December 31 of the year you turn age 71.

Further Information:
Member Handbook - When Can You Retire?
How is Your Pension Calculated?
What are Your Pension Options?
Leaving the Plan Package A: Leaving the Plan any age before age 65 with fewer than 2 years of plan membership
Leaving the Plan Package B: Leaving the Plan under age 55 with 2 or more years of plan membership
Leaving the Plan Package C: Leaving the Plan at age 55 or older with 2 or more years of plan membership, but before 85 points
Leaving the Plan Package D: Leaving the Plan at age 55 or older with at least 85 points or age 65
Retirement Application Form (21)
Pension Estimate Request Form (88)
I need a pension estimate

The normal retirement date is 65, but you can retire anytime after age 55 if you have two years of pensionable service. Your pension may be reduced for early retirement.

You can contribute to PSPP for no more than 35 years. However, if you continue working beyond 35 years, your salary after that point may be taken into account when calculating your highest average salary.

You must start your pension by December 31 of the year you turn age 71.

Further Information:
Member Handbook - When Can You Retire?
How is Your Pension Calculated?
What are Your Pension Options?
Leaving the Plan Package A: Leaving the Plan any age before age 65 with fewer than 2 years of plan membership
Leaving the Plan Package B: Leaving the Plan under age 55 with 2 or more years of plan membership
Leaving the Plan Package C: Leaving the Plan at age 55 or older with 2 or more years of plan membership, but before 85 points
Leaving the Plan Package D: Leaving the Plan at age 55 or older with at least 85 points or age 65
Retirement Application Form (21)
Pension Estimate Request Form (88)
I need a pension estimate

Once you are age 55 or older, and are vested, you are eligible to be paid a pension. If you begin working a job where there is another registered pension plan, you may be eligible to transfer your funds to that plan.

To be paid a pension for life:
You need to have at least two years of PSPP membership. If your age plus pensionable service don't add up to 85, the pension would be reduced because you are retiring early.

To take payout instead of a pension:
Do you have at least two years of PSPP membership, are you under age 55, and does your age and service not add up to 85? You could be paid a one-time payout of the commuted value of your pension. Once the payout has been made, you will have no rights to any benefits from the Plan.

Note: taking a payout instead of a pension could have serious financial implications for you and your family. It is important to make sure you understand the pension you would be giving up before choosing a payout.

Further Information:
Member Handbook - When Can You Retire?
How is Your Pension Calculated?
What are Your Pension Options?
Leaving the Plan Package A: Leaving the Plan any age before age 65 with fewer than 2 years of plan membership
Leaving the Plan Package B: Leaving the Plan under age 55 with 2 or more years of plan membership
Leaving the Plan Package C: Leaving the Plan at age 55 or older with 2 or more years of plan membership, but before 85 points
Leaving the Plan Package D: Leaving the Plan at age 55 or older with at least 85 points or age 65
Retirement Application Form (21)
Pension Estimate Request Form (88)
I need a pension estimate

Your pension is a defined benefit plan. It's based on your years of pensionable service, the average of your highest consecutive five years' salary and your age at the time you retire.

mypensionplan is an online pension information service for members where you can calculate pension estimates based on your personal information. You can also view your length of service, salary, contributions and beneficiaries. To login or begin registration, visit mypensionplan.

Further Information:
Member Handbook - When Can You Retire?
Member Handbook - How is Your Pension Calculated? 
Information Sheet - How is Your Pension Calculated?
Pension Estimate Request Form (88)
I need a pension estimate

Your pension will be paid to you for as long as you live.

When you retire, you will be asked to make a pension choice and that choice will determine how your pension will be paid after you die. If you have a pension partner when you retire, you will be asked to make a pension choice that ensures your pension partner is paid a pension if you die. Your pension partner can waive this right at the time the pension choice is made.

If you don't have a pension partner, or your pension partner has waived her or his right, you can select a pension that will pay you for your life, but includes a feature that ensures the pension is paid to your beneficiary(ies) for a set period.

While your pension is being paid, it will be increased by cost-of-living adjustments each year.

Further Information:
What are Your Pension Options?
Pension Estimate Request Form (88)
Designation of Beneficiary(ies) Form (5)
Multiple Beneficiaries Form (2L)
I need a pension estimate

After applying for retirement, you will receive a pension options package explaining your choices and the pension to be paid to you under each choice. If you have any questions, you can call the Member Services Centre or register for a One-on-One Information Session.

Further Information:
Member Handbook - Retirement Benefits - Pension Options
Information Sheet - What are Your Pension Options?
Information Sheet - Coordinating Your Pension
Register for a One-on-One Information Session

Pension coordination is a way of increasing the pension paid to you before you turn 65. However, the pension will be reduced after you turn 65.

Further Information:
Coordinating Your Pension
Schedule a One-on-One Information Session
Pension Estimate Request Form (88)
I need a pension estimate

If you would like a pension estimate, you have three options:

1. An Estimate Based on Your Actual Information
   Sign in to mypensionplan to create a pension estimate using your actual pension information on file with PSPP.
2. A Rough Estimate Based on Data You Provide
   Using hypothetical pension information, create an immediate estimate with the pension estimator. This can be helpful if you would like to understand how your pension may be affected by different retirement scenarios.
3. A Formal Estimate
   Complete a Pension Estimate Request Form and send it to Alberta Pensions Services Corporation (APS). Contact information can be found on the form.

Further Information:
How is Your Pension Calculated?
Pension Estimate Request Form (88)
I need a pension estimate

If you joined PSPP after June 30, 2007, the Plan does not provide a disability pension.

If you joined PSPP before July 1, 2007, the disability pension benefit still exists if you qualify.

If you are employed with the Government of Alberta, your LTDI plan is approved for pension purposes and you are not eligible to apply for pension as long as you continue to be paid LTDI.

If you are employed with another employer, you will need to check with your employer to see if your LTDI plan was approved for pension purposes.

Can I go to work after I retire and still collect my pension?
Will my pension be adjusted for COLA?

For an overview of what to expect and things to consider after you retire, see the following for more information:
Pensioners
Working as a Pensioner
Cost-of-Living Adjustments (COLA)

For information on what to expect if you've chosen coordination are are now 65, see the following:
Coordinating Your Pension

For assistance with retirement, view the steps to retirement avatar on the right hand side of this webpage.

Step one. Find out what your pension will be. You can estimate your own pension at mypensionplan, our secure website for members. Do you know what date you want to retire? If not, getting some estimates will help you make that decision.

Step two is the retirement application. Three months before your retirement date, fill out the Retirement Application Form and give it to your employer. Your employer will complete their portion of the form and send it to our administrator, Alberta Pensions Services Corporation (APS). If you left your funds from an earlier period of employment in the plan, fill out the same application form and send it directly to APS.

Step three is your pension choice. APS will calculate your pension and send you a Pension Options Package. Please review that package carefully as you can only make your pension choice once. Fill out the forms noted in the package and provide documentation where requested. For example, you'll need to send documents to prove your age and the age of your pension partner, if you have one.

Finally, APS will audit the pension calculations and all the information you and your employer have provided. If APS receives all necessary information from you and your employer prior to your retirement date, you should receive your first pension payment 30 days after your retirement date or at minimum, a partial payment until the audit is complete.

Each year, PSPP's administrator, Alberta Pensions Services Corporation (APS), will send you a statement detailing your contributions, pensionable service and pensionable salary. It will also show you an estimate of your benefits and, if applicable, provide you with an estimate of your pension.

You can also access your pension information online whenever you need by registering on mypensionplan.

Your member ID is the 10-digit number assigned to you by our plan administrator, Alberta Pensions Services Corporation (APS). You can find this number on the following documents, your:

• Annual statement;
• Pension Options package; or
• Welcome package.

If you have already registered for mypensionplan, your login name is a unique identifier that you chose for yourself during the registration process. This name, along with your password, is used to identify you as a user of the mypensionplan website.

You can contribute until you have 35 years of pensionable service, or up to the end of the year in which you reach age 71, whichever is earliest.

If you remain employed after you have 35 years of service, you won't pay contributions. If those years were in your highest five years of salary (highest average salary), the salary earned then will be used to calculate your pension even though you didn't make contributions.

If you reach age 71, a benefit will be paid to you even if you don't have two years of service or if you continue to work. Once you reach age 71, you must begin to receive your benefits from the plan even if you continue to work.

Further information:
Member Handbook - How Much Do You Contribute?

Once you have two years of membership in PSPP, you are vested. This means you are entitled to a pension at retirement.

If you leave PSPP with two years of pensionable service, you have a number of choices.

Further Information:
PSPP At-a-Glance
Leaving the Plan Package A: Leaving the Plan any age before age 65 with fewer than 2 years of plan membership
Leaving the Plan Package B: Leaving the Plan under age 55 with 2 or more years of plan membership
Leaving the Plan Package C: Leaving the Plan at age 55 or older with 2 or more years of plan membership, but before 85 points
Leaving the Plan Package D: Leaving the Plan at age 55 or older with at least 85 points or age 65
Retirement Application Form (21)
Pension Estimate Request Form (88)
I need a pension estimate

You may increase your future pension by purchasing a period of previous employment (optional service) if eligible.

When you apply, you will receive notification of the cost to buy the optional service. You can decide whether you want to buy the optional service at that time.

If you would like to apply to purchase optional service, you can:

• use the online buying back service estimator for an immediate estimate of the cost of your service.
• contact your employer. They will help you apply to purchase optional service through PSPP's administrator, Alberta Pensions Services Corporation (APS). When you apply, you will receive notification of the cost to buy the service. You can decide whether you want to buy the service at that time.

Further Information:
Member Handbook - How Can You Increase Your Benefit?
Leaves of Absence (Buying Leave)

If you take a leave without salary (including parental leave), you may add that period of time to your pensionable service and thereby increase your future pension. You may continue to make pension contributions through your employer while you are on leave. If you don't do this, you may apply to purchase the period of leave once you return to work.

Time limits apply for purchasing a leave. If you want to buy your period of leave, you must let your employer know in writing before April 30 in the year following the year your leave ended. For example, if you had a leave from February 1, 2010 to June 15, 2010, you would need to apply to buy the leave period by April 30, 2011.

When you apply, you will receive notification of the cost to buy the leave. You can decide whether you want to buy the leave at that time. If you would like to make these contributions through your employer while you are on leave, please confirm this with your employer's participation policy prior to starting the leave.

Parental leave and maternity leave are the same thing. Men or women can apply to purchase up to three years of parental leave, in addition to the five years of leave allowed for any other member. For parental leave, the leave begins at the time of the birth of a natural child or adoption of a child, and ends 12 months after that. Parental leave is only available if the period of leave was after June 30, 2002.

Further Information:
Member Handbook - How Can You Increase Your Benefit?
Leaves of Absence (Buying Leave)

There are many things to consider before this question can be answered. When you receive your notice of cost for the leave, you will be provided with information that may help you understand the pros and cons of buying service.

Buying leave within the leave time limits
If you are buying leave within the time limits, the cost of the leave is based on what you would have contributed had you been working. If the period you are looking at is the first year of leave you have ever bought under the Plan, you only pay your contributions and interest. If you are buying more than one year of leave, you also pay what your employer would have contributed on your behalf had you remained at work.

Time limits apply for purchasing a leave. Contact your employer if you would like to apply to purchase a leave of absence.

Further Information:
Member Handbook - How Can You Increase Your Benefit?
Leaves of Absence (Buying Leave)

You can increase your future benefits by buying optional service. Some examples of optional service include:

• previous employment with your current employer;
• previous employment with another employer who participates in PSPP; or
• contributory service under another pension plan in some circumstances.

To be eligible, you must not be entitled to a benefit from another registered pension plan for the same period of service. Contact PSPP's administrator, Alberta Pensions Services Corporation (APS), to get more information on paying for optional service with a transfer from another pension plan.

Get an estimate of the cost
You can calculate an estimate of the cost to buy optional service by using the buying back service estimator. Just follow the steps to estimate the cost of the period you want to buy.

If you decide you want to consider buying some optional service, talk to your employer's human resources staff. They will provide you with the forms you need to get a Notice of Cost. The Notice of Cost information contains important information about how the service will affect your benefits and things you need to consider before you make a decision.

Further Information:
Member Handbook - How Can You Increase Your Benefit?
Leaves of Absence (Buying Leave)

You can update your address and phone number online via mypensionplan, completing the forms on the PSPP website or by contacting your employer. Be sure to inform your employer of any changes you make through mypensionplan as we do not notify your employer of these changes.

If you are no longer employed by a PSPP employer (meaning you are a deferred member), you can update your personal data online via mypensionplan, completing the forms on the PSPP website or by contacting PSPP.

If you get married, make sure to update your employer with your new name and address (if applicable).To make changes to your name and address information, please contact your employer. If you are no longer contributing to the pension plan and need to update your name and address, please contact the Member Services Centre.

Once you are married, your partner becomes your pension partner. If you die, your pension partner is automatically your beneficiary; however, if your pension partner dies before you, your benefits will go to your beneficiary(ies). You may want to update your Designation of Beneficiary(ies) Form.

Further Information:
Update your information on mypensionplan
Member Handbook - What are Your Pension Options?
What are Your Pension Options?
Pension Partner Information (5)
Designation of Beneficiary(ies) Form (2)
Multiple Beneficiaries Form (2L)

If there has been a change in your family (for example, you had a baby or adopted a child), you may want to change your Designation of Beneficiary(ies) Form.

Talk to your employer about any leave of absence you may have taken as a result of the change in your family.

Further Information:
Update your information on mypensionplan
Member Handbook - What are Your Pension Options?
What are Your Pension Options?
Pension Partner Information (5)
Designation of Beneficiary(ies) Form (2)
Multiple Beneficiaries Form (2L)

When a marriage breaks down, pension benefits are viewed as matrimonial property. You may want to obtain legal advice to make sure you understand your options.

Visit the Alberta Pensions Service Corporation (APS) website, or call the Member Services Centre at 1-877-453-1PSP (1777) to discuss this in further detail.

Further Information:
Member Handbook - Marital Breakdown
Pension Partner Information (5)
Designation of Beneficiary(ies) Form (2)
Multiple Beneficiaries Form (2L)

Marital Breakdown Information For Your Lawyer

You can update beneficiary information using mypensionplan. Alternatively, complete the Designation of Beneficiary(ies) Form, make a copy for your records, and mail it to the address listed on the form.

Further Information:
Member Handbook - What are Your Pension Options?
Death Before Retirement
Leaving Your Funds with PSPP
What are Your Pension Options?
Designation of Beneficiary(ies) Form (2)
Multiple Beneficiaries Form (2L)

If your marital status on your pension file is not correct and you are currently contributing to the pension plan, please contact the Member Services Centre to update your information.

If you are no longer employed by a PSPP employer (meaning you are a deferred member), please contact the Member Services Centre to update your information.

Ask your bank to send a cheque to the pension plan, care of APS. The banker will be able to give you the proper tax form for this transaction.

You can pay all or part of the cost of your service by RRSP transfer. If you owe less than $500, and are not sending the full amount by RRSP, you'll need to give your employer a cheque for the balance by the payment due date on your Notice of Cost.

If you choose to pay part of the cost of your service by RRSP transfer, this needs to be received before the balance is sent in. Because the transfer takes time to process, make sure you talk to your bank as early in the process as you can so you don't miss the final payment due date on your Notice of Cost.

A cheque will be sent to your financial institution, or you if applicable, within a month of receiving your benefit choice and all the required documents.

If you choose to transfer your funds to another pension plan, it will take more time for both plans to exchange information and calculate the transfer details. Once those calculations are done, you will be sent information about the transfer and an authorization form.

Pension contributions can be refunded to you if you are not vested when you terminate or if you have excess contributions.

When you don't work full-time hours, your accumulated service is only based on the time you worked. For example, if you are working half-time, your service for one full calendar year would only be 0.5000. This means it will take you longer to qualify for an unreduced pension.

And, although your service each year is affected by not working full-time, when you retire, your pension will be calculated to produce benefits that are proportionate to full-time employees. This means your salary information would be calculated based on what you would have earned if you worked one full year. For example, if your salary for working half-time is $25,000 per year, the pension you will earn would be based on an annualized full-time salary of $50,000, but it would take two years of working half-time for you to earn that one full-year of service.

Former members of PSPP currently contributing to a different pension plan may be eligible to transfer their PSPP entitlements through a reciprocal transfer. PSPP currently has transfer agreements with the following pension plans:

Within the Alberta Pensions Services Corporation (APS) family of Plans:

• Management Employees Pension Plan (MEPP)
• Local Authorities Pension Plan (LAPP)

For more information on transfers from PSPP into either LAPP or MEPP, please contact your current pension plan administrator.

If you have previous service with the Special Forces Pension Plan (SFPP), please contact Alberta Pension Services Corporation for more information on how to transfer your SFPP benefits into PSPP.

Under the Alberta Teachers Retirement Fund (ATRF):
For more information on transfers from PSPP to ATRF, please contact your current pension plan administrator.

Alberta Teachers' Retirement Fund Board
600 Barnett House
11010 - 142 Street NW
Edmonton, T5N 2R1
Toll Free: 1-800-661-9582
Fax: 780-452-3547
E-mail: member@atrf.com
Website: www.atrf.com

Under the National Transfer Agreement

• British Columbia College Pension Plan
• British Columbia Municipal Pension Plan
• British Columbia Public Service Pension Plan
• British Columbia Superannuation Plan
• British Columbia Teachers' Pension Plan
• Manitoba Civil Service Superannuation Fund
• Newfoundland and Labrador Public Service Pension Plan
• Nova Scotia Public Service Superannuation Plan
• New Brunswick Public Service Superannuation Plan
• Ontario Pension Board
• OPSEU Pension Trust
• Province of Quebec (La Commission administrative des régimes de retraite et d'assurances)
  • Régime de retraite des employés du gouvernement et des organismes publics (RREGOP) (Government and Public Employees)
  • Régime de retraite du personnel d'encadrement (RRPE) (Management Personnel)
  • Régime de retraite des enseignants (RRE) (Teachers Pension Plan)
  • Régime de retraite des fonctionnaires (RRF) (Civil Service Superannuation Plan)
  • Régime de retraite de certains enseignants (Certain Teachers)

For more information on transfers from PSPP to another plan under the National Transfer Agreement, please contact your current pension plan administrator.

Under the Federal Transfer Agreement (Public Service Superannuation Pension Plan):
For more information on transfers from PSPP to the federal Public Service Superannuation Pension Plan, please contact your current pension plan administrator.

Public Works and Government Services Canada
Pension Service, Pension Centre Mail Facility
PO Box 8000
Matane, QC G4W 4T6
Toll Free: 1-800-561-7930
E-mail: pensioncentre.centredespensions@pwgsc-tpsgc.ca
Website: www.pensionandbenefits.gc.ca

PSPP has transfer agreements with almost all the provincial public sector pension plans in Canada.

Within Alberta:

• Local Authorities Pension Plan (LAPP)
• Management Employees Pension Plan (MEPP)
• Alberta Teachers' Retirement Fund (ATRF)

If you have previous service with the Special Forces Pension Plan (SFPP), please contact Alberta Pension Services Corporation for more information on how to transfer your SFPP benefits into PSPP.

Federally:

• The Public Service Superannuation Pension Plan (federal public sector)

Nationally:

• British Columbia College Pension Plan
• British Columbia Municipal Pension Plan
• British Columbia Public Service Pension Plan
• British Columbia Superannuation Plan
• British Columbia Teachers' Pension Plan
• Manitoba Civil Service Superannuation Fund
• New Brunswick Public Service Superannuation Plan
• Newfoundland and Labrador Public Service Pension Plan
• Nova Scotia Public Service Superannuation Plan
• Ontario Pension Board
• OPSEU Pension Trust
• Prince Edward Island Civil Service Superannuation Plan
• Province of Quebec (La Commission administrative des régimes de retraite et d'assurance)

(This list cannot be considered exhaustive, as new plans will join the National Transfer Agreement in the future.)

You have many options if you leave the plan before you are age 55, including leaving your funds with the plan for a lifetime pension to be paid once you turn 55.

Further information:
Leaving the Plan Package A: Leaving the Plan any age before age 65 with fewer than 2 years of plan membership
Leaving the Plan Package B: Leaving the Plan under age 55 with 2 or more years of plan membership
Leaving the Plan Package C: Leaving the Plan at age 55 or older with 2 or more years of plan membership, but before 85 points
Leaving the Plan Package D: Leaving the Plan at age 55 or older with at least 85 points or age 65
Pension Estimate Request Form (88)
I need a pension estimate

After you apply to retire, you will receive a pension options package explaining your options and the estimated amounts you would receive under each option.

Further information:
Member Handbook - Options if You Leave Before Retiring
Leaving the Plan Package A: Leaving the Plan any age before age 65 with fewer than 2 years of plan membership
Leaving the Plan Package B: Leaving the Plan under age 55 with 2 or more years of plan membership
Leaving the Plan Package C: Leaving the Plan at age 55 or older with 2 or more years of plan membership, but before 85 points
Leaving the Plan Package D: Leaving the Plan at age 55 or older with at least 85 points or age 65
Pension Estimate Request Form (88)
I need a pension estimate
What are Your Pension Options?
Information Sheet - Coordinating Your Pension
Register for a One-on-One Information Session

Funds are locked into the plan when you are vested.

When your funds are locked-in, it means you can only

• use the funds for a lifetime pension, or
• transfer your benefit into another type of account that will be used to provide a lifetime retirement benefit. For example, if you are entitled to the commuted value of your benefit, your funds can only be transferred to a Locked-in Retirement Account (LIRA) or another pension plan.

Further information:
Member Handbook - Options if You Leave Before Retiring
Leaving the Plan Package A: Leaving the Plan any age before age 65 with fewer than 2 years of plan membership
Leaving the Plan Package B: Leaving the Plan under age 55 with 2 or more years of plan membership
Leaving the Plan Package C: Leaving the Plan at age 55 or older with 2 or more years of plan membership, but before 85 points
Leaving the Plan Package D: Leaving the Plan at age 55 or older with at least 85 points or age 65
Pension Estimate Request Form (88)
I need a pension estimate
What are Your Pension Options?
Information Sheet - Coordinating Your Pension
Register for a One-on-One Information Session

Plan rules state that when the commuted value of a benefit is paid, it must be paid on a locked-in basis. Plan rules are based on provincial pension standards law. Locking-in the funds ensures those funds are there for your future.

If you were vested but still eligible to have your funds paid out of the Plan, the commuted value paid is locked-in to ensure a pension is eventually paid.

Plan rules state a member's contributions and interest can make up only half of the commuted value. The rest of the commuted value is made up of the employer's contributions and interest, and plan funds. The amount paid is representative of the value of the benefit you earned and not just a refund of what you paid.

Further Information:
Leaving the Plan Package B: Leaving the Plan under age 55 with 2 or more years of plan membership

Yes. Plan rules state a member's contributions and interest can make up only half of the commuted value. The employer's contributions and interest, and plan funds, provide no less than half the commuted value. If member contribution and interest are less than half the commuted value, the shortage is made up by employer contributions and interest, and plan funds.

If the member contributions and interest in your account are more than half the commuted value, you will be paid the difference. This is called "excess contributions". The payment of excess contributions won't be transferred to your (LIRA) Locked-In Retirement Account. Excess contributions are paid to you by cheque, less income tax, or it can be transferred to your (RRSP) Registered Retirement Savings Plan (no tax is deducted).

If you are considered by Canada Revenue Agency to no longer be a resident of Canada you may be eligible to have the commuted value of your pension paid to you instead of it being transferred to a Locked-in Retirement Account. See the Payment of a Benefit to a Non-Resident of Canada Information Sheet for more information.

If you have a pension partner they need to complete a Pension Partner Waiver to Permit Commutation due to Taking Non-residency Status Statutory Declaration.