OPTions Winter 2013, Number 56

posting date Posted: February 2013 download document Download the PDF print page Print this page Email link to page Email the link
William Hatanaka - OPTrust CEO

The OPTrust Board of Trustees appointed William Hatanaka to the position of CEO, effective November 19, 2012. Mr. Hatanaka has assumed responsibility for all of OPTrust’s operations.

Mr. Hatanaka has over 30 years of financial services experience, with a strong track record of building high quality, high integrity organizations. In his previous role as Group Head, Wealth Management, TD Bank Financial Group, he was a member of the senior executive team of the Bank with responsibility for building the Bank’s Global Wealth and Asset Management businesses. He has also held senior positions with the Royal Bank of Canada and two independent Canadian brokerage firms.

“We are pleased to have Bill join OPTrust as CEO and look forward to working with him,” said Scott Campbell, Chair of the OPTrust Board of Trustees. “We believe his history of leadership and his expertise in both investments and operations make him the ideal person to lead OPTrust.”

Mr. Hatanaka also has a strong commitment to unifying initiatives in the community, serving on the boards of York University, the Canadian Centre for Diversity and as Advisor to the Japanese Canadian Cultural Centre. He also serves on the board of the TMX and is the past Chair of the Investment Industry Association of Canada (IIAC).

Mr. Hatanaka is a past recipient of York University’s Bryden Alumni Award and was a member of the 1976 Grey Cup Championship winning team, the Ottawa Rough Riders.  

This agreement freezes contribution rate increases for active members and employers for the next five years, except in exceptional circumstances. In the event of a funding shortfall during this time, the Plan would be required to reduce future benefits. All benefits being paid to current retirees and those that have been already earned by active members are, and will remain, unchanged.

In return, the government has agreed that the OPSEU Pension Plan will be exempt from the proposals to pool broader public service pension plans. The agreement also allows for an extension of the regular funding valuation period so long as at least one valuation is filed during the term of the agreement.

The sponsors have agreed to freeze pension plan contribution rates for five years, except in exceptional circumstances. The freeze period runs from December 31, 2012 to December 30, 2017.

General principles
  • Any contribution increases currently scheduled to occur for active members will continue as planned. OPTrust does not have any further contribution increases scheduled.
  • Benefit improvements can only be made if the Plan remains 105% funded after the improvement.
  • If benefits are reduced as a result a funding shortfall, they can only be restored if the Plan remains 100% funded after the restoration.
  • The OPSEU Pension Plan has full indexation, capped at 8% annually. However, if there were ever to be ad hoc indexation, it would continue so long as it did not bring the Plan’s funded status to below 100%.
Valuations

If, during the freeze period, a filed valuation identifies a funding shortfall, it will be addressed as follows:

  • There will be no contribution rate increases during the freeze period, except in exceptional circumstances.
  • Future benefits may be reduced to a maximum of 20% of the total value of future benefits determined at the date of the benefit reductions based on the Plan provisions in effect on December 31, 2012.
  • Any future benefit reductions will have an effective date of the earlier of:
    • two years following the valuation date of the filed actuarial valuation, or
    • December 30, 2017.
  • No accrued benefits will be reduced.
  • Once the benefit reduction limit has been reached, the sponsors will return to their usual methods (e.g. contribution rate increase and/or benefit reductions).
What happens at the end of the freeze period?

At the end of the freeze period, the “Letter of Agreement” expires. In the event of a surplus, it may only be used to restore benefits that were reduced during the term of the agreement, provided that the restoration will not reduce the Plan’s funded status below 100%.

Other

  • The Ontario Government has amended Regulation 909 of the Pension Benefits Act (PBA) to allow for a single four-year valuation cycle, subject to:
    • at least one valuation filed during the freeze period
    • any benefit reductions filed during the freeze period are implemented according to the “General Principles.”
  • OPTrust will cooperate with the “Letter of Agreement” as stated.  
Michael Grimaldi Grimaldi brings 30 years’ experience working in the Ontario Public Service (OPS) and at OPSEU. He started his career as a staff member in the constituency office of a member of the provincial parliament.

In 1991, he joined the Ministry of Labour as a Work Advisor representing injured employees who do not have a union, which is also his current position. During a six year leave of absence from the OPS from 2001 - 2007, Grimaldi served as an Executive Assistant to OPSEU’s former president Leah Casselman. In that role, he built solid relationships working with all public sector pension plans in Ontario, which led him to serve on OPSEU’s Pension Liaison Committee.

He is politically active and a strong advocate for defined benefit and jointly sponsored pension plans. In fall 2012, Grimaldi was involved in negotiating the agreement between OPSEU and the Government of Ontario that established a five-year funding framework for the Plan and exempted OPTrust from the province’s proposed asset pooling for broader public sector pension plans.

He was elected to OPSEU’s Executive Board in 2003 and is the Regional Vice-President for Region 2, OPSEU’s second largest region representing 26,000 members.

Grimaldi holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Western Ontario.

“I’m really happy to be appointed to the Board of Trustees. It’s crucial for our 84,000 members and retirees to have people who serve on the Board as advocates for public sector pensions. I see that as my role.”

New Chair for OPTrust Board

In November 2012, Scott Campbell was named Chair of OPTrust’s Board of Trustees. Campbell is an experienced not-for-profit governor. He was appointed to the Board by the Government of Ontario in April 2009. He is a member of the TELUS Toronto Community Board, the Cancer Care Ontario Board and he is a past Chair of the Board of Directors of Trillium Health Centre.

Did you know?

By the end of the year you reach the age of 71, the Income Tax Act requires that you stop making contributions to a registered pension plan. So, your membership in and contributions to the Plan must end at this time and pension payments must begin.

While most OPTrust members will still choose to retire at or before age 65, delaying retirement may be attractive to some who want to continue increasing their future pensions.

If you continue working past age 65, you must start to receive your pension before the end of the calendar year in which you turn 71. As a result, you must terminate your plan membership by November 30th of that year.

 

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 OPTrust members/divested former members may be able to “grow-in” to and start an unreduced early retirement pension on the date the former member would have been eligible for the earlier of 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 – Employer Certification (OPTrust 3013) form. All pension entitlements with a termination date before July 1, 2012 are not eligible for grow-in rights.

Question: How do I become eligible for grow-in rights?
Answer: You must meet all of the following conditions:

  • you have been involuntarily terminated without cause by your employer
  • your termination date of membership or termination date with the successor employer is on or after July 1, 2012
  • your age plus years of pension credit, continuous employment or membership in the Plan equals at least 55 on the termination date
  • you are under 65
  • on your termination date, you are not eligible for an early unreduced pension under the Factor 90 or 60/20 provision of the Plan; however, you would become eligible before your 65th birthday if your employment had continued.

Question: How do the grow-in rights work?
Answer: If you meet the eligibility conditions as listed in the previous question, you can:

  • defer your pension and have it start on the date you would have been eligible for an unreduced pension
  • defer your pension and have it start the month following your 65th birthday.

Question: What if I choose to transfer the funds out of the Plan?
Answer: If you are under age 55 and choose to transfer out the commuted value (CV), your eligibility for grow-in rights will be taken into account in the calculation of your CV. You will lose any entitlement to the post-retirement insured benefits package.

Question: What does it mean to have grow-in rights considered for the calculation of the CV?
Answer: This means the value of the additional benefit is included in your commuted value calculation.

Question: What happens if I die during the deferment period?
Answer: If you die during the deferment period, your eligibility for grow-in rights will be taken into account in the calculation of the death benefits.

The adjustment is the result of the OPSEU Pension Plan’s inflation protection provision and reflects the rise in the cost of living in Canada.

The full 1.9% increase applies to all OPTrust pensioners who retired in 2011 or earlier. For retirees whose pension started after January 2012, the increase will be pro-rated based on the month the pension started. The annual increase also applies to OPTrust survivor pensions and to the deferred pensions of former and divested OPTrust members.

Lifetime protection

Under OPTrust’s inflation protection feature, retirees’ pensions are adjusted every January, based on changes in Canada’s Consumer Price Index (CPI). The result is protection for the buying power of retirees’ pensions – and security for the future.

For example, a pensioner who retired in December 2002 with an annual pension of $23,110 will receive $28,274 from OPTrust in 2013 – a 22% increase over a 10-year period. Since the Plan’s inception, inflation adjustments have averaged 1.9%.

How OPTrust calculates the annual increase

OPTrust calculates the annual increase by the change in the average CPI for the two 12-month periods ending the previous September. The 2013 escalation factor and resulting 1.9% increase was calculated as follows:

Annual increase calculation

Consumer Price Index

The Consumer Price Index (CPI), produced by Statistics Canada, is a measure of price movements. The CPI is calculated by comparing the retail prices of a representative “shopping basket” of goods and services at two different points in time. This “shopping basket” includes a range of goods and services including food, fuel, transportation, home energy and shelter.

For more information on the Consumer Price Index, visit the Statistics Canada website at www.statcan.gc.ca.  

 

OPTrust Accessbility Standards

At OPTrust we strive to provide our services in a way that respects the dignity and independence of people with disabilities. We are committed to giving all persons, including those with disabilities, access to services with the same quality and timeliness.

Our Accessible Customer Service Policy outlines how OPTrust provides services that are accessible to all persons and it’s in compliance with provincial legislation. For more information, download the policy.  

 

 

 

What’s changed?

If you are under age 65 and you work while receiving your CPP retirement pension, you and your employer will have to make CPP contributions. These contributions will increase your CPP retirement benefits.

If you are age 65 to 70 and you work while receiving your CPP retirement pension, you can choose to make CPP contributions. These contributions will increase your CPP retirement benefits.

The federal government is adapting CPP to ensure it remains fair and sustainable, and that it responds to the evolving needs of Canada’s aging population and to changes in the economy and labour market.

Other changes include
  • your monthly CPP retirement pension amount will increase by a larger percentage if you start to take it after age 65
  • your monthly CPP retirement pension amount will decrease by a larger percentage if you start to take it before age 65
  • the number of years of low or zero earnings that are automatically dropped from the calculation of your CPP pension will increase
  • you will be able to start your CPP retirement pension without any work interruption.

The changes will give you more options so that you can make decisions that are right for you as you make the transition from work to retirement. The changes do not affect your OPTrust pension.

For more information about these changes, visit Service Canada’s website at www.servicecanada.gc.ca.

OPTions cover

By now, you’ll have noticed OPTions is sporting a new look. In December 2012, we shared two designs for OPTions and asked you to vote for your favourite in an online poll. Members and pensioners voted for this design, which features bolder colours, but maintains the professional standards you’ve come to expect from OPTrust.

We hope you like the new OPTions.  

 

 

 

 

OPTrust Direct Contact sessions are a great way to learn more about your pension – directly from an OPTrust representative. Non-members who are eligible to join the Plan (e.g., fixed term or casual employees) are also welcome to come and learn more about enrolling in the Plan.

Getting Ready to Retire – Evening Seminars

Our evening seminars are tailored for members who are within 10 years of retirement, but all members are welcome to attend.

Topics include:
  • how your pension grows over your career
  • how your pension is calculated and when can you retire
  • what your options are if you leave your job
  • what “CPP integration” means and how it affects you
  • how to buy back credit for past service
  • what other benefits are available, and more…
Understanding Your Pension – Lunch & Learn Seminars

OPTrust staff also offer shorter lunchtime seminars in workplaces across Ontario for members at any stage in their careers. Special sessions for fixed term/casual staff who may be interested in joining are also an option.

To book a lunchtime seminar for your workplace, you or your human resources representative can contact us at infosessions@optrust.com.

Register now!

See the schedule for a session in your area and sign up or call us at 416-681-6100 or 1-800-637-0024.

Important: Space is limited. Please register at least two weeks in advance. Direct Contact sessions are designed to give you an overview of the OPSEU Pension Plan. OPTrust staff cannot provide personal financial advice.

Although changes to the Pension Benefits Act took effect on July 1, 2012, pension plan administrators are still waiting for the regulations to be passed into law.

Once we have the regulations, the plan sponsors need to negotiate transfer agreements. If a transfer agreement is negotiated between the OPSEU Pension Plan and your current plan, we will notify you immediately about the agreement and next steps.

Now is a good time to:

Review your Annual Pension Statement and ensure your information with us is up-to-date, such as:

  • address
  • marital status
  • beneficiary information.

If you want to make changes to your beneficiary information, complete and send us a Pension Beneficiaries form available from our website.

Watch our new “Consolidate Your Pension Service” video

If a transfer agreement is negotiated between your pension plans, this two minute video highlights important things to consider when deciding whether to transfer or not and provides an overview of what a divested transfer could mean for you. Watch the video.

We will contact you

So, watch for more correspondence from your pension plans. We will contact you when we have more information.