Grow-in Rights

Revised: May 2015 Print this page Email the link

Effective July 1, 2012, the Pension Benefits Act (PBA) provides for an enhanced benefit, "grow-in rights" for members and divested former members of some pension plans who: 

• satisfy certain eligibility requirements, and
• have been involuntarily terminated without cause on or after July 1, 2012.

What are grow-in rights?

With this benefit, terminating members/divested former members can "grow-into" and start an unreduced early retirement pension on the date the former member would have been eligible for Factor 90 or 60/20, had his or her employment continued to that date.

The member's entitlement is based only on the credit earned to the date of termination.

Determining eligibility

Members who are involuntarily terminated on or after July 1, 2012 are entitled to grow-in rights if they meet specific criteria. A terminating member must:

• qualify for an early unreduced pension before age 65, and
• have 55 points (age + credit, membership or continuous service) on the date of termination.

The employer must inform OPTrust and complete a Grow-In Rights Certification (OPTrust 3013) form. All pension entitlements with a termination date before July 1, 2012 are not eligible for grow-in rights.