ARCHIVED SAM - Special Bulletin 2010-001

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• | Roles and Responsibilities,
• | Work Procedures for compensation advisors, and
• Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

January 21, 2010

SUBJECT: Plan Enrolment and Orientation Services

1. PURPOSE

1.1. The purpose of this bulletin is to inform compensation advisors of a new process for the provision of plan enrolment and orientation services to employees of the public service in respect to the public service pension plan.

1.2. In accordance with the new process, the “ Your Public Service Pension and Benefits” Web portal, the Superannuation Administration Manual (SAM), the Superannuation Procedures Manual - Public Service Corporations (PSC), superannuation bulletins, compensation directives, national training courses, Virtual Pay procedures guides, and various forms have been amended.

1.3. The Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat's (TBS) standard benefit letters have not been amended to reflect the new process. It is suggested that client organizations, including those not using the TBS standard benefit letters, add a paragraph that advises their employees of the new process. For example:

  “As an employee eligible to contribute to the public service pension plan, a Plan Enrolment Package will be prepared by the pension administrator and forwarded to you. It will provide basic information that you should know as a plan member, as well as how to contact the plan administrator. Prior to receiving your enrolment package, you may choose to consult the “Your Public Service Pension and Benefits (YPSPB)” Web Portal at the following address for additional information on the public service pension plan: Your Public Service Pension and Benefits.”

2. BACKGROUND

2.1. On June 13, 2007, the TBS granted approval to proceed with two transformation of pension administration initiatives, namely the Government of Canada Pension Modernization Project (GCPMP) and the Centralization of Pension Services Delivery Project (CPSDP). The objectives of these initiatives are to renew Public Works and Government Services Canada's nearly 40 year old pension administration system, transform business processes and centralize the delivery of pension services to a centre of expertise within Public Works and Government Services Canada (PWGSC), namely the Public Service Pension Centre (PSPC), in Shediac , New Brunswick.

2.2. Accordingly, the CPSDP team has been established to develop and progressively implement pension services and business processes in accordance with the new model, which allows for self-service options and access to pension expertise through various channels. The project will bring about significant changes in the way pension services are delivered.

3. POLICY

3.1. Effective February 1, 2010, the PSPC will be responsible for the administration associated with the enrolment of new plan members in the public service pension plan and for the provision of orientation information regarding the plan to employees of the public service.

4. DEFINITION

4.1. Plan enrolment and orientation services include the validation of eligibility, enrolment in the public service pension plan, the collection of required data from employers and plan members, the provision of information regarding the general benefits of the Public Service Superannuation Act (PSSA) and specific information regarding new plan members' individual accounts.

5. PROCEDURES/INSTRUCTIONS

5.1. When asked about the public service pension plan enrolment process or for orientation information, compensation advisors will direct employees to the “Active Member” or the “Contact Us” link located on the “Your Public Service Pension and Benefits (YPSPB)” Web portal, or directly to the PSPC in Shediac , New Brunswick for those employees without Internet access.

5.2. Compensation advisors remain responsible to capture correct data and commence deductions appropriately. For procedures and information on the new process, reference should be made to the documents included with this Superannuation Administration Manual Special Bulletin:

• Roles and Responsibilities,
• Work Procedures for compensation advisors, and
• Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

5.3. The links to the new forms and to the Plan Enrolment Package, within these documents, will be functional ONLY as of February 1, 2010.

6. COMMUNICATIONS

6.1. The Centralization Project team will monitor the progress following the implementation and will keep you apprised of the results.

7. PUBLICATIONS

7.1. The SAM will be updated to incorporate the relevant information contained in this bulletin.

8. INQUIRIES

8.1. Any inquiries on the information contained in this document should be addressed to your PWGSC Compensation Services Office.

Original Signed by
B. Fortin

Brigitte Fortin
Director General
Compensation Sector
Accounting, Banking and Compensation