Retirement: Support Staff
Thinking of Retiring
Retirement Planning
The University offers various resources to assist you in the planning process:
Retirement Income
As a member of the Public Service Pension Plan you will receive a defined pension benefit based upon your highest 5 year average salary and your years of credited pensionable service. Pension Estimates can be performed using the Pension Estimator on the PSPP Member Services site. If you have lost or forgotten your user ID and/or password, this information can be obtained on-line from the PSPP member services site.
The Federal Government also provides benefits for retirement. Service Canada has on-line Canada Pension Plan and Old Age Security calculators that you can access to estimate these benefits.
Employment Options - Reduced Duties Leading to Retirement
The University of Alberta offers the Reduced Duties Leading to Retirement Program to support staff as an option for transitioning into retirement. This program allows the employee the opportunity to take a partial leave without pay in the years immediately preceding retirement. For additional details and eligibility requirements, please see the Collective Agreement-Common Provisions-Article 19.
*Please note: Each application must be approved by the Dean, Director or Trustholder and Human Resources. Once an agreement is concluded it becomes binding on the employee and the Employer.
Bridge Benefits for Support Staff
Eligible staff who decide to retire early may elect to continue participation in several of the staff benefit programs during the period between the date of early retirement and the end of the month in which you will attain age 65. The employer premium costs for such benefits will be paid by the University to the same extent that they are paid for active staff members. Employer premium costs, cost-sharing arrangements and/or the benefit plan provisions may change from year to year in accordance with the Board/NASA Agreement.
Eligibility for Bridge Benefits is as follows:
- You must currently be working in a full-time regular or full-time non-established Support position funded out of the University's operating accounts (including ancillary accounts);
- You must be at least 55 years of age but less than age 65;
- You must currently be a member of the Public Service Pension Plan; and
- You must have a minimum of 20 years of pensionable service with the University.
Included Benefits
| Benefit |
Coverage |
| Supplementary Health Care |
Continues as long as you reside in Canada and are covered by a provincial medical plan |
| Dental Care |
Continues wherever you reside |
| Group Life Insurance |
Continues wherever you reside. |
If there are any questions pertaining to Bridge Benefits, please contact Pension & Benefit Advisory Services @ 492-4555.
Decided to Retire?
Applying for Your PSPP Benefit
Once you have made the decision to retire, approximately three months prior to your retirement date, please contact Pension & Benefit Advisory Services. Please note that a retirement application can not be signed more than 90 days prior to your retirement date. Once informed, Pension & Benefit Advisory Services will send you a retirement letter. The letter will outline the required documentation to process your PSPP benefit. The Pension & Benefit advisor will extend an invitation to meet with you so they may assist you with the application process. Once you receive the letter and gather the appropriate documentation contact your Pension & Benefit Advisor to arrange an appointment. To find your advisor see the Pension & Benefit Advisors Contacts by Department.
Approximately one month after you complete the application you will be sent a Retirement Options package from Alberta Pension Services Corporation. This package will outline the various pension options available to you. Election of a pension option is irrevocable once you receive your first pension payment. If you require assistance understanding the options you can arrange another appointment to meet with your Pension & Benefit Advisor.
Receiving Your Pension
You will receive a pension payment on the second last day of the month following your retirement, providing the process started within three months of your retirement date. Your pension payments will continue as long as you live and where a joint option was elected will continue for the duration of your pension partner’s life (if predeceased by you). Monthly pension payments will be adjusted January 1st of each year by a cost-of-living adjustment equal to 60% of the average increase in Alberta’s consumer price index.
Post-Retirement Benefits Options for Support Staff
Having adequate health and dental coverage during retirement is very important. A review of the insurance post-employment benefits market was conducted and the following plans have been identified as providing competitive level of benefits coverage with competitive cost, member flexibility as some plans do not require medical evidence of insurability, and levels of coverage to help best fit individual needs.
Termination of Benefits Upon Retirement
When you retire from the University of Alberta and are not eligible for bridge benefits, you should be aware of retirement rules surrounding your benefit plans.
| Benefit Plan |
Coverage End Date |
| Supplementary Health and Dental Care Plan |
Coverage ends on date of retirement. Claims must be submitted within 24 months of date of service. You can convert without medical evidence to a private non group policy. |
| Dental Care Plan |
Coverage ends on the last day of the month in which you retire. Claims must be submitted within 24 months of date of service. You can convert without medical evidence to a private non group policy. |
| Employee and Family Assistance |
Coverage continues to the end of month of retirement. |
| Basic Employee Life Insurance |
Coverage ends 31 days from date of retirement. You can convert to an individual policy without medical evidence if your retirement date is prior to your 65th birthday. Pension & Benefit Advisory Services will send you information on who to contact to exercise your conversion privilege. Conversion maximum is basic plus optional life amounts to a maximum of $200,000. Insurance company will determine the term and cost of individual policy. |
| Optional Employee Life Insurance |
Coverage ends 31 days from date of retirement. You can convert to an individual policy without medical evidence if your retirement date is prior to your 65th birthday. Pension & Benefit Advisory Services will send you information on who to contact to exercise your conversion privilege. Conversion maximum is basic plus optional life amounts to a maximum of $200,000. Insurance company will determine the term and cost of individual policy. |
| Optional Dependent Life Insurance |
Coverage ends 31 days from date of retirement. You can convert your current coverage to an individual policy without medical evidence if you terminate prior to your 65th birthday and your dependent is also under age 65. |
| Business Travel Accident Insurance |
Coverage of $75,000 ceases effective your date of retirement. |
| Occupational Death and Dismemberment |
Coverage ceases effective date of retirement. |
| Optional Accidental Death & Dismemberment Insurance |
Coverage ceases effective date of retirement. |
| Medical Leave |
Coverage ceases effective last date of employment. |
| Long Term Disability Insurance |
Coverage ceases effective last date of employment when retirement occurs prior to normal retirement date. |
| Human Resource Development Fund |
Access to the fund ceases upon retirement of employment. Please refer to the collective agreement 25.08/25.09 as some exceptions may apply. |
| Tuition Remission |
For Support staff reimbursement for credit courses ceases on date of retirement. Once you cease employment any outstanding balance is subject to the terms of the calendar section 23.9.10. |