OPTions

A newsletter for members of the OPSEU Pension Plan.

Previous Issues
2022

Spring 2022, Issue 70
In this issue:
2021

Winter 2021, Issue 69
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Spring 2021, Issue 68
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2020

December 2020, Issue 67
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April 2020, Issue 66
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January 2020, Issue 65
In this issue:
2017

Winter 2017, Number 64

In this issue:
2016

Summer 2016, Number 63

In this issue:

Spring 2016, Number 62

In this issue:
2015

Summer 2015, Number 61

In this issue:

Winter 2015, Number 60

In this issue:
2014

Summer 2014, Number 59

In this issue:

Winter 2014, Number 58
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2013

Summer 2013, Number 57
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Winter 2013, Number 56
In this issue:
2012

Summer 2012, Number 55
In this issue:
  • 2011 Report to Members
  • Pension reform changes effective July 1, 2012
  • Tim Hannah joins the Board of Trustees
  • Facts about… Your Annual Pension Statement
  • You asked…
  • Get the facts about your pension
  • Thinking of leaving the Plan?
  • Ontario budget to limit cost of future pension deficits
  • How we protect your privacy
  • Your online resource: Direct Contact presentation
  • Welcome new members

Winter 2012, Number 54
In this issue:
  • Ontario introduces new family law rules
  • Funding valuation confirms need for planned contribution rate increase in 2012
  • Facts about…Your defined benefit pension
  • 5 ways to protect your online identity
  • Buying back service for a WSIB leave
  • You asked...
  • OPTrust's 2012 inflation adjustment
  • Go paperless: View your Annual Pension Statement online
  • Do we have your correct beneficiary information?
  • OPSEU appoints new Trustee
  • Did you know? You can work and boost your pension past age 65
  • Tell us your pension story
  • Direct Contact schedule
2011

Fall 2011, Number 53
In this issue:
  • OPTrust board appoints President and CEO
  • Family law rules set to change in January
  • Wondering when you can retire?
  • New Trustee Vicki Ringelberg
  • Online Services traffic reaches all-time high
  • Do you work with fixed term or casual colleagues? Why not remind them of their option to join the Plan?
  • Planning to move? Two ways to update your address
  • Direct Contact: We bring your pension plan to you
  • You Asked... Your Annual Pension Statement
  • Delivering excellent service, one telephone call at a time
  • We value your feedback
  • Facts About... CPP integration

Special Supplement 2011, Number 52
In this issue:
  • A focus on renewable energy investments
  • Delivering the pension promise
  • Patricia Li appointed to the Board of Trustees
  • OPTrust’s active ownership program expands

Winter 2011, Number 51
In this issue:
  • Membership gives OPTrust high ratings in survey
  • Coming soon: Your new Annual Pension Statement
  • Your 2010 Annual Buyback Statement and tax receipts
  • 2011 inflation protection increase: 1.4%
  • Board appointments
  • Your Annual Highlights Report for 2010 is coming in June
  • Working part-time and contributing to your OPTrust pension
  • Your retirement planning checklist
  • You asked...
  • Reminder: Contributions increase by 1% in 2011
  • Direct Contact schedule
  • Direct Contact: Bringing your pension to your desktop
2010

Number 50, Summer 2010
In this issue:
  • OPTrust becomes signatory to the United Nations Principles for Responsible Investment
  • Green initiative: OPTrust joins the Carbon Disclosure Project
  • 2009 Annual Highlights
  • Casual employment and insured benefits
  • Coming soon: Direct Contact presentation online
  • Changes set for Ontario's Pension Benefits Act
  • Direct Contact schedule
  • You asked...
  • OPSEU appoints new Trustee
  • Funding update: full 3% contribution increase needed
  • Facts about... your pension beneficiaries

Number 49, Spring 2010
In this issue:
  • Plan sponsors approve gradual contribution rate increase
  • OPTrust’s funding outlook
  • Why increase contribution rates?
  • Annualized contributions
  • OPTions e-updates
  • New Chief Administrative Officer named
  • "Surplus Factor 80" provision approved by sponsors
  • Retirement still a long way off?
  • Five reasons why your OPTrust pension is a good investment
  • Are you new to the Plan? Transfer options available
  • You asked…
  • Strengthening Canada’s pension system
  • Your OPTrust pension as a financial resource
  • New Trustees join the Board
  • Direct Contact schedule
2009

Number 48, Fall 2009
In this issue:
  • Plan sponsors approve gradual contribution rate increase
  • OPTrust’s funding outlook
  • Why increase contribution rates?
  • Annualized contributions
  • OPTions e-updates
  • New Chief Administrative Officer named
  • "Surplus Factor 80" provision approved by sponsors
  • Retirement still a long way off?
  • Five reasons why your OPTrust pension is a good investment
  • Are you new to the Plan? Transfer options available
  • You asked…
  • Strengthening Canada’s pension system
  • Your OPTrust pension as a financial resource
  • New Trustees join the Board
  • Direct Contact schedule

Number 47, Spring 2009
In this issue:
  • Plan for the future with your Annual Pension Statement
  • 2008 Annual Highlights
  • New Proxy Voting Guidelines online
  • OPTrust welcomed over 1,500 new members
  • Take a few minutes to update your beneficiary information
  • OPTions new look
  • Your lifetime OPTrust pension value
  • Retirement planning: Your employment income vs. your retirement income
  • Planning a leave of absence without pay?
  • Planning to leave your employment?
  • You asked...
  • Booklet series covers a range of topics
  • Point and click your way through the Plan
  • Marriage breakdown rules set to change
  • 600 divested employees remain with OPTrust
  • Direct Contact Schedule

Number 46, Winter 2009
In this issue:
  • Your "defined benefit" advantage
  • Short-term market volatility does not affect the security of your OPTrust pension
  • OPSEU appoints new Trustee
  • Change to commute value calculations
  • 2009 inflations adjustment: 2.5%
  • Buy back credit today; increase your pension in the future
  • Your Annual Pension Statement is coming soon
  • OPTrust named one of Canada’s Top 100 Employers for the second year running
  • Pension report reflects OPTrust’s recommendations
  • Member Profiles: Share your story
  • You asked…
  • Direct Contact schedule
2008

Number 45, Fall 2008
In this issue:
  • OPTrust identifies funding surplus and eliminates deficit
  • Responsible investment a priority at OPTrust
  • You asked…
  • Service Spotlight: Helping members increase the value of their pension
  • New booklet helps you plan for retirement
  • New Agreement means more options for your pension
  • Online transactions on the rise
  • Retirement options: When can you retire?
  • OPTions e-updates to keep you in the know
  • New Board Chair and Vice-Chair
  • Direct Contact Schedule

Number 44, Spring 2008
In this issue:
  • OPTrust's 2007 Investment Return Tops Benchmark for 8th Year Running
  • Your Plan for the Long Term
  • OPSEU and Government Appoint New Trustees
  • Facts About...Insured Benefits in Retirement
  • New Poll Says Canadians are Unprepared for Retirement
  • 2007 Annual Pension Statement: Your Pension at a Glance
  • Designate a Beneficiary Online
  • Work Information Network (WIN) Not Connected to OPTrust
  • Direct Contact Schedule

Number 43, Winter 2008
In this issue:
  • OPTrust buys Calgary office building
  • Joint sponsorship a model for Ontario’s pension system
  • Buying back credit: Making the most of your pension
  • You asked… questions about buying back credit
  • Your 2007 Annual Pension Statement – Coming this spring
  • Three ways to update your address
  • Buyback tax receipts and statements
  • Online security and your pension
  • Service spotlight: Helping members plan for retirement
  • OPTrust is tops!
  • New trustee joins OPTrust board
  • Direct Contact: OPTrust pension information sessions
2007

Number 42, Fall 2007
In this issue:
  • OPTrust Set to Eliminate Funding Shortfall by Year-end
  • Market Drop Puts Focus on Security
  • OPTrust’s Asset Mix
  • Federal Budget Raises Pension Age Limit to 71
  • LMDA Update: Transfer Decision Deadline
  • OPTions Online: The Greener Way to Get Your Pension News
  • Unclassified Enrolments Push Membership to 5-Year High
  • Tell Us Your Pension Story
  • You Asked… Questions about Buying Back Credit
  • Direct Contact Pension Information Sessions

Number 41, Spring 2007
In this issue:
  • 2006 Investments Exceed Long-Term Funding Targets and Market Benchmarks
  • Annual Pension Statements
  • Annual Highlights Report: For you. About you.
  • New Trustee Mahmood Nanji
  • Service Spotlight
  • Did You Know?
  • Direct Contact
  • You Asked ...
  • A Special Welcome
  • Our Green Partners
  • OPTions in an Envelope?

Number 40, Winter 2007
In this issue:
  • Canada’s Aging Population – What It Means for You and Your Pension
  • New Chair and Vice- Chair
  • Inflation Adjustments
  • Service Spotlight – Proactive Member Communications
  • Online Services – What’s Available to You
  • Your Privacy Matters to Us
  • Direct Contact Schedule
  • You Asked ...
  • A Special Welcome
2006

Number 39, Fall 2006
In this issue:
  • The Importance of Designating a Beneficiary
  • Correction to Whitby Mental Health Centre Article
  • Did you Know - Not all Pension Plans are Alike?
  • Service Spotlight - New to the Plan? Make an Investment in Your Future!
  • Interested in Being Featured in Our Annual Report?
  • Direct Contact - How we Bring your Pension to You
  • You Asked ...
  • OPTrust Communications Research

Number 38, Spring 2006
In this issue:
  • 2005 Investment Results
  • OPTrust Achieves Settlement in Nortel Securities Class Action
  • OPTrust's Funding Outlook
  • New Board Trustees
  • Service Spotlight
  • Facts About... Your 2005 Annual Pension Statement (APS)
  • You asked...
  • Updating Your Info With Your Employer?
  • WMHC Employees Remain OPTrust Plan Members

Number 37, Winter 2006
In this issue:
  • OPTrust Names New CAO
  • Divested Employees
  • 2006 Inflation Adjustment
  • New Board Trustee
  • Managing Investment Risk
  • Your Pension and RRSPs
  • Retirement: Preparing for a Major Life Change
  • Facts About... Post-Retirement Benefits
  • Your 2005 Annual Pension Statement (APS)
  • You Asked...Will the Ontario Government's elimination of mandatory retirement at age 65 affect my OPTrust pension?
2005

Number 36, Fall 2005
In this issue:
  • Plan Change
  • Thinking of Retiring Early?
  • 2004 Funding Valuation Highlights
  • You Asked...
  • OPTrust Welcomes New Trustee
  • Investments: Growing Real Estate
  • Message to Members on OPTrust's Funding Status
  • 10th Anniversary Coverage: A Snapshot of Change at OPTrust
  • Facts About� Plan Governance
  • Buying Back Credit for the 1996 OPS Strike

Number 35, Spring 2005
In this issue:
  • OPTrust's Net Assets Top $10 Billion
  • OPTrust's Funding Outlook
  • Temporary Retirement Options Ending
  • Retirement Planning: It's Never Too Soon to Start
  • OPTrust's Retirement Income Calculator
  • You Asked - Your 2004 Annual Pension Statement
  • Improving the Way We Serve You
  • Welcome to New Contract/Unclassified Members
  • Buying Back Credit Online

Number 34, Winter 2005
In this issue:
  • 10 Years of Growth, Service and Security
  • OPTrust Contributions: An Investment in Your Future
  • Investments: New Manager Structure for Canadian Equities
  • Facts About CPP Integration and Your Pension
  • You Asked
  • OPTrust Welcomes New Trustee: Ann Marshall
  • APS & Online Services
  • Inflation Adjustment of 1.7%
  • Tax Reporting: How Your Pension Affects Your RRSP Room