About People for Pensions
People for Pensions is a voluntary participation program for members and retirees of the OPSEU Pension Plan and the OPTrust Select Pension Plan who want to learn more about the positive aspects of defined benefit pension plans and share that information with colleagues.
The OPSEU Pension Plan or OPTrust Select is an important part of your workplace compensation package. There are many misconceptions about public service pension plans and those who sign up to be part of the People for Pensions program can help to clear up those misconceptions. We need your help in spreading the word to your colleagues, friends and family about the value of the Plan – not only for members, but the wider benefit of how secure pensions contribute to a strong economy and reduce poverty among Canadian seniors.
We've created a simple online form here. Or if you have more questions, you can email our Community Lead, Jason White, at peopleforpensions@optrust.com.
The People for Pensions program is one of several OPTrust initiatives intended to raise awareness about the overall value of defined benefit pension plans. Research has shown members and retirees of the OPSEU Pension Plan and OPTrust Select place a high value on their pensions, but sometimes are not aware of all of the benefits of their pension plan – and in particular the benefits of having a defined benefit plan versus other kinds of retirement savings vehicles. The People for Pensions program asks members and retirees of the OPSEU Pension Plan and OPTrust Select to share information with their peers, friends and families about the value of DB plans and how the DB model supports the economy.
Any active member of the OPSEU Pension Plan or OPTrust Select can be a People for Pensions member. Retirees who are drawing a pension from the OPSEU Pension Plan or OPTrust Select and members who are entitled to a future pension can also become a member of the program.
OPTrust will send information about the defined benefit pension model which program members can, in turn, discuss with their co-workers and others as they see fit. Some people may want to use the information in casual conversations while others may choose to share the information through their own social media channels. The goal of this initiative is to raise awareness about the value of workplace defined benefit pension plans. OPTrust believes informed members and retirees of the Plan can help spread the message about the many economic benefits of having a defined benefit plan.
OPTrust will communicate with its People for Pensions members through a variety of ways: the peopleforpensions.com website, an e-mail newsletter, as well as through social media channels like Facebook and Twitter. The Community Lead from OPTrust will make several workplace presentations across the province. The material will detail how defined benefit pension plans like the OPSEU Pension Plan and OPTrust Select help people prepare for a secure retirement. We will also address some of the misconceptions around the defined benefit model.
No! Being a People for Pensions member means you’re interested in learning more about your OPSEU Pension Plan or OPTrust Select Pension Plan and how defined benefit plans are a value to our members, retirees and society as a whole. Members of the program are not expected to be experts on the specifics of pension plans. In fact, we ask that any detailed questions members receive about the OPSEU Pension Plan or OPTrust Select be directed to an OPSEU Pension Plan representative or OPTrust Select representative.
Yes. OPTrust has outlined the goals of the People for Pensions program with the employers that participate in OPSEU Pension Plan, OPTrust Select and the OPSEU executive. All groups are supportive of our efforts to provide information about the importance and value of defined benefit pension plans.
Some members of the program will feel comfortable explaining the value they see in the OPSEU Pension Plan or OPTrust Select, such as how the plan offers secure, predictable income in retirement that is an important part of a larger retirement savings plan. Others may simply encourage their co-workers to contact OPTrust to seek more information. It’s your choice.
Detailed questions like how to qualify for benefits or how pensions and contributions are calculated should always be directed to OPTrust.
If you have more questions, you can email our Community Lead, Jason White, at peopleforpensions@optrust.com