Legislative Amendments on Certain Public Sector Pension Plans

Changes to your pension plan

Bill no 97 passed on June 8, 2016.

The changes are presented below.

 

Increase in the maximum number of years of service for calculation of the pension


Related pension plans: RREGOP, TPP, CSSP and PPCT

Effective date: January 1, 2017

Currently, the maximum number of years of service for calculation of the pension is 38.

Beginning on January 1, 2017, the maximum number of years of service will increase gradually year after year, to reach 40 on December 31, 2018. Therefore, you could receive a pension corresponding to a maximum of 80% of your average pensionable salary on January 1, 2019.

Elements to consider

  • Coordination with the Québec Pension Plan does not apply to the part of your pension corresponding to years of service after 35 years.
  • There is not retroactive application. Therefore, service prior to January 1, 2017 exceeding 38 years on December 31, 2016 is not recognized for calculation of your pension. However, the pensionable salary corresponding to that service can be used for calculation of your average pensionable salary.
  • If you reach 38 years of service on December 31, 2016, you will necessarily begin contributing from January 1, 2017, including pre-retirement (usage of vacation days and sick leaves).
  • No buy-back of service can total more than 38 years of service for calculation of the pension on December 31, 2016.
  • The formula to calculate your contributions is not changed.

 

Changes to eligibility criteria for an immediate pension without reduction


Related pension plans: RREGOPPPMP

Effective date: July 1, 2019

The following eligibility criteria for an immediate pension without reduction will come into effect on July 1, 2019:

  • Age criteria to increase from 60 years old to 61 years old.
  • Addition of a new criteria, that is, criteria 60 years old with a 90 eligibility factor (age + service for eligibility to a pension).

For the PPMP, those criteria will only apply if you have to complete the additional participation period, but cease membership to the plan before the end of that participation period.

Note that the criteria 35 years of service for eligibility to an immediate pension without reduction is maintained.

 

Increase in the rate of reduction due to anticipation of the immediate pension


Related pension plans: RREGOPPPMP

Effective date: July 1, 2020

The reduction rate due to the anticipation of the immediate pension will increase from 4% to 6% per year of anticipation beginning on July 1, 2020.

For the PPMP, that rate will only apply if you have to complete the additional participation period, but cease membership to the plan before the end of that participation period.

 

Introduction of a bridge provision for phased departure agreements


Related pension plans: RREGOPPPMP

Effective date: July 1, 2019

If you had already began a phased departure agreement on the filing date of the bill at the National Assembly, that is, May 11, 2016, the provisions of the act will apply at the end of the agreement, under the RREGOP or the Act respecting the PPMP, as they will read on June 30, 2019.

For the PPMP, these provisions will only apply if you have to complete the additional participation period, but cease membership to the plan before the end of that participation period.

Therefore, it is the eligibility criteria to an immediate pension without reduction 60 years old or 35 years of service which will apply. In case of anticipation of the pension, it is the annual reduction rate of 4% which will apply.

Those criteria will also be maintained if your agreement began during the period from May 11, 2016 to September 7, 2016, inclusively. In that case, your work schedule must be reduced by at least 20% of the normal schedule for full-time equivalent employment, and this, for each year of your phased departure agreement.

If you have questions on this subject, consult the Questions & Answers to find out more.

Top of page