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April 26, 2004, Number 19
In this issue
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OPTrust Annual Pension Statements Available Online
This year, active and divested OPTrust members have a new option for
receiving their personal 2003 Annual Pension Statement (APS). Members, who
register with the new
Online Services section of the OPTrust Web site, can
view an electronic copy of their 2003 APS in a secure environment.
APS available through Online Services
The electronic versions of the 2003 statements were launched mid-April,
giving members access to their statement in advance of printed copies. To
date more than 3,000, members have signed up to access their APS online.
Members’ electronic statements will also be archived for future reference on
their personalized, secure Online Services home page.
As in previous years, OPTrust will mail printed statements to all members
(see schedule below). In future years, members who register for
Online
Services will have the option of receiving their APS either in print or
online.
APS format and package
The design of the printed 2003 Annual Pension Statement is unchanged from
last year. The statement uses a clear table format to present each member’s
personal pension data, including:
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the member’s best average annual salary, earned credit and contributions
plus interest as of December 31, 2002
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changes in salary, credit and contributions taking place over 2003,
including normal credit accrual, adjustments resulting from data
corrections, and buybacks or transfers taking place in 2003
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a statement of the member’s pension data as at December 31, 2003.
The presentation of members’ pension data – and the accompanying explanatory
notes – is tailored to members’ particular circumstances. The statement
format varies depending on whether the member is a regular (full-time or
regular part-time) employee or a contract/seasonal/casual employee and
whether the member is vested or not.
Another version of the statement will be produced for members who have been
divested but retain credit in the Plan.
The 2003 statement also lists members’ beneficiaries as identified in
OPTrust’s records. The Guide to Your 2003 Annual Pension Statement, which is
included in the APS package, provides an explanation of the flow of survivor
benefits for service up to December 31, 1986, service after December 31,
1986 and non-vested service.
The APS package, which will be mailed to all OPTrust members, includes:
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a personalized 2003 Annual Pension Statement
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our Guide to Your 2003 Annual Pension Statement, and
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a postage-paid reply envelope, which members can use to order OPTrust
publications or to update their mailing address.
Mailing Schedule
To provide better service when our members call, we will be mailing the
statements in four stages between late-April and late-June. Staging the
mailing will help us reduce peaks in our telephone call volume and respond
to members’ questions more promptly. Our
mailing schedule lists the
ministries or agencies covered by each mailing.
For more information
Members who have questions regarding their statements or who want more
information are encouraged to call OPTrust’s Member and Pensioner Service
staff. Those who wish to update beneficiary information should access our secure
Online Services or download an
Identifying Benefit Recipients form.
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New section for contract staff on Web site
OPTrust has introduced a new “Contract Staff” section on its Web site for
contract/unclassified employees. The new section is designed to provide
eligible contract/unclassified employees – who are in OPSEU or OLBEU
bargaining unit positions – with detailed information about the Plan and
their option to join.
Currently, the section features links to:
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Introductory Brochure – questions and answers about joining the OPSEU
Pension Plan
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Interactive Overview of the Plan – a general view of what the OPSEU
Pension Plan offers
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Plan Booklet – a comprehensive guide to the OPSEU Pension Plan and its
features
Coming soon, is a step-by-step “How to enroll” checklist for employees who
are interested in joining the OPSEU Pension Plan.
For information on how to enroll contract/ unclassified or new employees,
visit our Web site to access the
Employer Manual, where you can download the
required forms and checklists.
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2004 Interactive Multimedia Presentation
OPTrust recently launched updated versions of our Interactive Multimedia
presentation for members and eligible
contract staff.
The presentation for members provides an overview of key features of the
Plan - from OPTrust’s pension formula and retirement options to how the Plan
is invested and how to contact our Member and Pensioner Services staff.
The presentation for contract staff, offers an introduction to the Plan’s
benefits, who can join and how to enroll.
Both presentations are available online and in a
CD-ROM format.
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