Pension Connection

A newsletter for pensioners of the OPSEU Pension Plan.

Previous Issues
2023

Winter 2023
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Spring 2023
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2022

December 2022

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Spring 2022, Issue 73
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2021

Winter 2021, Issue 74
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May 2021, Issue 73
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2020

December 2020, Issue 72
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April 2020, Issue 71
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January 2020, Issue 70
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2018

Summer 2018, Number 68
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2017

Spring 2017, Number 67
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Winter 2017, Number 66
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2016

Summer 2016, Number 65
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Spring 2016, Number 64
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2015

Summer 2015, Number 63
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Winter 2015, Number 62
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2014

Summer 2014, Number 61
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Winter 2014, Number 60
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2013

Summer 2013, Number 59
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Winter 2013, Number 58
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2012

Summer 2012, Number 57
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Winter 2012, Number 56
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2011

Fall 2011, Number 55
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2010

Winter 2010, Number 54
In this issue:
  • Your OPTrust pension to increase by 1.4% in 2011
  • Celebrating our 25,000th pensioner!
  • Membership gives OPTrust high ratings in survey
  • Coming soon: your Pensioner Information Change Statement
  • Reminder: 2009 Great-West Life claims
  • You asked...
  • Facts about... pension income splitting
  • New Chair and Vice-Chair
  • 2011 pension pay dates
  • Retiree profile
  • Plan ahead for your 2010 taxes
  • 2011 government benefit rates
  • Moving? Keep us in the loop!

Summer 2010, Number 53
In this issue:
  • OPTrust becomes a signatory to the United Nations Principles for Responsible Investment
  • 2009 Annual Highlights
  • Green initiative: OPTrust joins the Carbon Disclosure Project
  • Did you know?
  • OPSEU appoints new Trustee
  • You Asked…
  • Thinking of returning to work? What you need to know about re-employment
  • Your online resources
  • Funding update: full 3% member contribution increase needed
  • Facts about…Your pension beneficiaries

Spring 2010, Number 52
In this issue:
  • What happens to your OPTrust pension at age 65?
  • Online tool helps estimate your age 65 pension
  • Retirement booklet answers your questions
  • Facts about…Protecting your privacy
  • Easier way to name your beneficiaries
  • View your pension information with Online Services
  • Receive your pension sooner and safer
  • OPTrust’s Annual Highlights Report for 2009
  • Reminder: 2010 insured benefits improvements
  • You asked…
  • Changes to the Canada Pension Plan
2009

Number 51, Fall 2009
In this issue:
  • Retirees’ pension unaffected by Plan deficit
  • OPTrust’s funding outlook
  • Your pension to increase by 0.5% in 2010
  • Planning to move to the U.S.?
  • Strengthening Canada’s pension system
  • 2010 pension payment calendar
  • Your OPTrust pension – security you can count on
  • New Chief Administrative Officer named
  • Reminder: 2008 Great-West Life claims
  • Improvements to insured benefits plan
  • You asked…
  • Your retirement snapshots
  • OPSEU appointee joins the Board

Number 50, Spring 2009
In this issue:
  • Pensioner Information Change Statement – a snapshot of your pension
  • 2008 Annual Highlights
  • New Proxy Voting Guidelines online
  • Plan sponsors appoint new Trustees
  • Pension Connection gets a makeover
  • Your insured benefits improvements
  • Your new insured benefits premium rates
  • Parlez-vous français?
  • Retiree profile
  • Did you know?
  • You asked…
  • Volunteer opportunities
  • Marriage breakdown rules set to change
  • Moving? Keep us in the loop!

Number 49, Winter 2009
In this issue:
  • OPTrust pensions to increase by 2.5% in 2009
  • 2009 pension pay dates
  • Market volatility does not affect the security of your OPTrust pension
  • Service Spotlight: Reminding retirees about CPP integration
  • OPTrust named one of Canada’s Top 100 Employers for second year running
  • Facts about...Insured benefits administration
  • Pension Quiz: How well do know your pension plan?
  • You asked. . .
  • Your PICS is coming soon
  • Moved recently
2008

Number 48, Fall 2008
In this issue:
  • OPTrust identifies funding surplus and eliminates deficit
  • Facts About. . .Pension Income Splitting
  • Protect yourself from investment fraud
  • Reminder: Update Your Personal Tax Credits
  • Retiree Profile:
  • What will you receive from CPP?
  • You asked. . .
  • Your OPTrust ID and your security
  • Pension Connection e-updates to keep you in the know
  • Seniors Canada Online Resources
  • New Board Chair and Vice-Chair

Number 47, Spring 2008
In this issue:
  • OPTrust's 2007 Investment Return tops Benchmark for 8th Year Running
  • OPSEU and Government Appoint New Trustees
  • Your Plan for the Long Term
  • Turning Age 65 and Your Pension
  • Plan to Work in Retirement? What You Need to Know
  • Retiree Profile: Al Beitler
  • Slight Increase to Insured Benefits Premiums
  • You Asked...
  • Fast Facts about your pension plan in 2007

Number 46, Winter 2007/2008
In this issue:
  • OPTrust pensions to increase by 1.8% in 2008
  • Your Pension during Retirement: The booklet you asked for!
  • Your PICS – coming in January
  • OPTrust buys Calgary office building
  • Using your new GWL drug card
  • You asked… more answers about your drug card
  • Reminder: GWL claims for 2006
  • Pension pay dates for 2008
  • Direct deposit now available in US, too!
  • Get a jump on your 2007 taxes
  • Your pension stories: A conversation that changed everything
  • OPTrust is tops!
  • New trustee joins OPTrust board
2007

Number 46, Winter 2007/2008
In this issue:
  • OPTrust pensions to increase by 1.8% in 2008
  • Your Pension during Retirement: The booklet you asked for!
  • Your PICS – coming in January
  • OPTrust buys Calgary office building
  • Using your new GWL drug card
  • You asked… more answers about your drug card
  • Reminder: GWL claims for 2006
  • Pension pay dates for 2008
  • Direct deposit now available in US, too!
  • Get a jump on your 2007 taxes
  • Your pension stories: A conversation that changed everything
  • OPTrust is tops!
  • New trustee joins OPTrust board

Number 45, Fall 2007
In this issue:
  • OPTrust Set to Eliminate Funding Shortfall by Year-end
  • Drug Cards Coming in November
  • Market Drop Puts Focus on Security
  • OPTrust’s Asset Mix
  • Your Secure Pension
  • Tell Us Your Pension Story
  • The Pension Connection Online: The Greener Way to Get Your Pension News
  • Online Security and Your Pension
  • Parlez-vous français?
  • You Asked… Questions about Insured Benefits

Number 44, Spring 2007
In this issue:
  • Pensioners Could Get a Tax Break
  • 2006 Investments Exceed Long Term Funding Targets and Market Benchmarks
  • Annual Highlights Report
  • Your Pension Stories
  • No Increase to Pensioners’ Premiums For 2007
  • Drug Cards Coming Soon
  • Our Green Partners
  • Did You Know?
  • New Trustee Mahmood Nanji
  • Online Services
  • You Asked
2006

Number 43, Winter 2006
In this issue:
  • Inflation Protection: 2.3% increase to pensions in 2007
  • Government settles insured benefits class action lawsuit
  • Your privacy matters to us
  • You Asked
  • 2007 Pension pay dates
  • Canada Pension Plan and Old Age Security benefits
  • Green initiatives on target
  • Reminder: 2005 Great-West Life claims
  • Web resources

Number 42, Fall 2006
In this issue:
  • OPTrust operates in a "green" office environment
  • You asked...
  • New tax changes introduced in Federal Budget
  • Web feature answers top questions
  • Facts About... OPTrust's Board of Trustees
  • Annual Report: Models Wanted
  • Pensioner confirmation status
  • Retirement planning publications and resource tools
  • Communications research

Number 41, Spring 2006
In this issue:
  • Strong investment performance
  • Nortel class action lawsuit settlement
  • OPTrust appoints two new Trustees
  • GWL moves to direct deposit
  • Nearing age 65?
  • Volunteer opportunity
  • Change your bank information online
  • New premium rates in effect
  • You asked
2005

Number 40, Winter 2005
In this issue:
  • 2006 inflation adjustment
  • OPTrust names new CAO
  • OPSEU Trustee joins the Board
  • Moving out of Ontario or Canada
  • Insured benefits: claims submission
  • New look for website, new features
  • Unique OPTrust ID numbers
  • Check out your PICS online
  • 2006 pay dates
  • Your feedback

Number 39, Summer/Fall 2005
In this issue:
  • Bargaining Update: Insured Benefits Improvements
  • OPTrust Welcomes New Trustee: Michael Beswick
  • Online Services: How to access the system
  • Investments: Real Estate Expansion
  • You Asked
  • Working in retirement
  • Great-West Life ID Numbers
  • Moving? Don't forget to keep in touch
  • Parlez-vous français?

Number 38, Spring 2005
In this issue:
  • OPTrust's Net Assets Exceed $10 Billion in 2004
  • Great-West Life Client Identification Numbers
  • Facts About Insured Benefits
  • You asked T4A Statement
  • Client Service Satisfaction Survey
  • Pensioner Information Change Statement
  • New Features Added to the Retirement Income Calculator
  • Pensioner Profile
  • 2005 Insured Benefits Premium Rates
  • Did You Know?