CAAT Pension Plan members from the Youth Services Bureau (YSB)

Merger update

November 30, 2020

The asset transfer is complete

The transfer of $39 million in pension assets to the CAAT Pension Plan from the Retirement Plan for Employees of Youth Services Bureau of Ottawa (YSB Pension Plan) (Registration Number: 0362558) was completed on November 10, 2020.

With the transfer of assets, the CAAT Pension Plan assumes responsibility for all defined benefit pension payments to the members of the YSB Pension Plan.

Following a thorough review, the Financial Services Regulatory Authority of Ontario (FSRA), provided consent to the transfer on October 15, 2020.


How we got here

On March 31, 2020, FSRA issued conditional Notices of Intended Decision for the merger of the YSB plan into the CAAT Pension Plan. By issuing these notices, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of FSRA indicated an intention to consent to the pension plan merger following a standard 30-day period to facilitate any applicable requests to the Financial Services Tribunal. At that time, due to the need to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic, the standard 30-day period to facilitate applicable requests to the Financial Services Tribunal was postponed. As of September 14, 2020, the 30-day period commenced.


Details about your new CAAT pension

The pension benefit you earned under the YSB Pension Plan will be replicated and transferred to the CAAT Pension Plan as of the effective date (which is January 1, 2018). In addition, any loss of benefit accruals earned before October 2013 (when the final average earnings used in the pension formula were frozen), will be restored based on your final average earnings up to the effective date. For all pensionable service on and after January 1, 2018, you will earn a pension under the terms of the CAAT Pension Plan.


What is my contribution rate?

Members in DBprime

Effective date YSB member contributions  YSB/YSB Foundation employer contributions 
   Earnings below YMPE Earnings above YMPE  Earnings below YMPE  Earnings above YMPE 
January 1, 2020  9.6% 12.4% 11.2% 14.8%
January 1, 2021  10.4% 13.6% 11.2% 14.8%
January 1, 2022  11.2% 14.8% 11.2% 14.8%
January 1, 2025  10.2% 13.8% 10.2% 13.8%

 

A contribution phase-in period of four years for YSB Pension Plan members started in 2018. The contribution phase-in will end January 1, 2022, at which time, YSB Pension Plan members will pay the same rates as all other members.

The contribution phase-in only applies to members who were enrolled in the YSB Pension Plan as of March 31, 2017. Any member who joined the YSB Plan after that date, or who joined the CAAT Plan on or after January 1, 2018 will make DBprime contributions at the same rate as all other members.

Members in DBplus

Members who work part-time or on contract, contribute to DBplus, at a rate of 9%.

Effective date Employee contributions Employer contributions
January 1, 2019 9.0% 9.0%

Pension calculation under the merged plan

Your total pension at retirement will be the sum of two parts:

YSB pension + CAAT Pension = Total annual pension payable from the CAAT Pension Plan

  • The pension from the YSB Pension Plan will be calculated using your restored final average earnings for service before October 2013. (The final average earnings (FAE) after the merger would be the average of your pensionable earnings during the best six consecutive years at December 31, 2017.) Your replicated and restored pension from the YSB Plan will be adjusted each year you remain employed with YSB, through an increase of 2% per year, starting January 1, 2019, subject to any restriction that may be imposed under the Income Tax Act (Canada) with a carry forward provision.
  • The pension you earn after the effective date will be calculated using the CAAT Plan formula.

The two pension amounts will be combined to make your total annual lifetime pension. When you retire from the CAAT Pension Plan, your pension will be paid on the first day of every month.


Are you an existing member or employer?

If you are an existing member of the CAAT Pension Plan or participating employer, complete the contact form above, or reach out:

By email

The member services team is available to answer questions about your DBprime or DBplus pension: Email member services

For general correspondence and inquiries: Email our general mailbox

By phone

Toll Free: 1-866-350-2228

Local Calls: 416-673-9000

Fax: 416-673-9028

By mail

Colleges of Applied Arts and Technology (CAAT) Pension Plan
250 Yonge Street, Suite 2500
P.O. Box 40
Toronto ON M5B 2L7