![[Canada] Government to expand frontline workers’ early pension eligibility](http://gpa.net/cdn/shop/articles/bigstock-Montreal-Canada--November---278291845_1200x.jpg?v=1718864260)
In Canada, the government has announced plans to expand early pension eligibility for key frontline safety and security workers, HR Reporter reports.
At present, only employees of Correctional Service Canada, members of the Canadian Armed Forces and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, benefit from early retirement provisions. The provisions allow retirement after 25 years of service without a pension reduction.
The government now reportedly intends to extend these benefits to additional groups following a recommendation received on December 21, 2023, from the Public Service Pension Advisory Committee (PSPAC).
The groups that will benefit from the changes include:
- Firefighters (federal and territorial governments)
- Paramedics (territorial governments)
- Correctional service employees (territorial governments)
- Border services officers (federal government)
- Parliamentary protection officers (federal government)
- Search and rescue technicians (federal government)
According to the government, the proposed changes are aimed to provide a consistent approach to recognising the demanding duties performed by these occupational groups.
“These frontline workers play crucial roles and deserve a pension plan that reflects the demanding nature of their safety and security responsibilities,” it said.
Currently, the federal public service pension plan - established under the Public Service Superannuation Act (PSSA) - serves over 400,000 active members (as of March 31, 2023). The plan provides retirement income based on salary, pensionable service, and age.
An unreduced pension is ordinarily available at age 60 or 65 - depending on when an employee joined the plan - or with 30 years of service.
The Public Service Pension Advisory Committee, which includes representatives from employees, retirees, and the employer, submitted the expansion recommendation. It reportedly follows a 2021 proposal by the Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat on behalf of the Public Service Alliance of Canada (PSAC).
Ottawa stated that these changes are designed to reflect the high-risk and demanding nature of the work performed by these employees.
“Providing the opportunity to retire after 25 years of service recognizes the demanding nature of the day-to-day duties for these occupational groups,” it said.
Source: HR Reporter
(Link and quotes via original reporting)
In Canada, the government has announced plans to expand early pension eligibility for key frontline safety and security workers, HR Reporter reports.
At present, only employees of Correctional Service Canada, members of the Canadian Armed Forces and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, benefit from early retirement provisions. The provisions allow retirement after 25 years of service without a pension reduction.
The government now reportedly intends to extend these benefits to additional groups following a recommendation received on December 21, 2023, from the Public Service Pension Advisory Committee (PSPAC).
The groups that will benefit from the changes include:
- Firefighters (federal and territorial governments)
- Paramedics (territorial governments)
- Correctional service employees (territorial governments)
- Border services officers (federal government)
- Parliamentary protection officers (federal government)
- Search and rescue technicians (federal government)
According to the government, the proposed changes are aimed to provide a consistent approach to recognising the demanding duties performed by these occupational groups.
“These frontline workers play crucial roles and deserve a pension plan that reflects the demanding nature of their safety and security responsibilities,” it said.
Currently, the federal public service pension plan - established under the Public Service Superannuation Act (PSSA) - serves over 400,000 active members (as of March 31, 2023). The plan provides retirement income based on salary, pensionable service, and age.
An unreduced pension is ordinarily available at age 60 or 65 - depending on when an employee joined the plan - or with 30 years of service.
The Public Service Pension Advisory Committee, which includes representatives from employees, retirees, and the employer, submitted the expansion recommendation. It reportedly follows a 2021 proposal by the Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat on behalf of the Public Service Alliance of Canada (PSAC).
Ottawa stated that these changes are designed to reflect the high-risk and demanding nature of the work performed by these employees.
“Providing the opportunity to retire after 25 years of service recognizes the demanding nature of the day-to-day duties for these occupational groups,” it said.
Source: HR Reporter
(Link and quotes via original reporting)