Quebec Provincial
Association of Teachers
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Pension Plans
Information, How To Retire
Questions? Contact us here:
pension@qpat-apeq.qc.ca
The Quebec Provincial Association of Teachers (QPAT) will be holding pension information sessions in May 2023. The primary audience is QPAT teachers who are considering retirement over the next five years. These sessions will be offered on-line through the Zoom meeting platform.
Part 1 of the presentation will focus on the RREGOP. Part 2 will focus on QPP and OAS benefits, pension integration, as well as discussing group insurance for QPAT retirees.
Please note the language of the session.
Individuals may register for part 1 only, part 2 only, or both parts.
Individuals must register for part 1 and part 2 separately.
Basic Pension Information for QPAT Members (2017)
As a teacher in one of Quebec’s public schools you contribute to a pension plan called RREGOP that will provide you with a guaranteed benefit when you retire.
How to Retire
This information is intended to provide general assistance for QPAT teachers going through the retirement process. However, it should be noted that QPAT does not have access to any individual information with respect to the public sector pension plan (RREGOP) or to the Quebec Pension Plan (QPP) or to the federal Old Age Security (OAS); particular questions about accessing any of these benefits should be addressed to the appropriate governmental agency, as indicated.
Contact: Retraite Québec 1-800-463-5533
This sequence is based on information available on the Retraite Québec website and adapted for QPAT members.
- Submit your letter of resignation to the school board 3 months before the date of retirement* indicating your last day of employment. Download a sample letter here.
- Complete the Retraite Québec pension request form available by clicking here: RREGOP pension request form. You can also request the form from your board, though it will take more time to receive it.
- Scan and attach the pension request form to Retraite Québec secure email (faster) or send it by mail to the address indicated on the form (slower) three months prior to retirement*. You can also request a direct deposit at this time.
- Retraite Québec will confirm receipt of your request and will communicate with you at a later point regarding your initial pension calculation and your choice with respect to survivor benefits.
For more details about how Retraite Québec handles requests for a RREGOP pension, follow this link:
Retraite Québec RREGOP application process
RREGOP benefits are paid on the 15th of each month.
*The 3–month timeframe is to ensure immediate payment from Retraite Québec in the first month of retirement. It is possible to decide to retire less than three months prior to your retirement, but this may lead to a delay on Retraite Québec’s part in issuing your first payment. In such a case, the pension should be retroactive to the last day of work.
Contact Retraite Québec 514-873-2433 or 1-800-463-5185
Receiving the Quebec Pension Plan (QPP) requires a separate application process from the RREGOP; each pension is administered separately by Retraite Québec. Applications for the QPP can be made online or with a hard copy form. Retraite Québec indicates that requests should be made 1 to 3 months prior to the effective date of the pension. Online requests require a Click-sécur access code. Teachers should contact Retraite Québec directly to obtain information about their file or an estimate of their QPP pension benefit.
Benefits are paid at the end of the month.
Follow the links below for details about how to apply online or to access a hard copy form.
Contact: Service Canada 1-800-277-9914
Most people will be contacted by Service Canada soon after their 64th birthday by letter indicating their eligibility for Old Age Security (OAS) as of age 65. Individuals who do not receive such a letter should contact Service Canada directly to enquire about their status or to fill out an application form, if necessary.
Benefits are paid at the end of the month.
Contact: QPAT 514-694-9777 or 1-800-361-9870
https://qpat-apeq.qc.ca/insurance/
When you retire, you must decide whether or not to join the QPAT retiree health insurance plan held with Industrial Alliance (IA). QPAT will provide you with information regarding this plan to help you decide.
Make sure to notify QPAT of your retirement date as soon as you have submitted your letter of resignation to your board. QPAT will send you an information kit regarding the retirees’ insurance plan with IA. This kit will inform you about coverage, premiums, and the application process with the necessary forms.
Complete this form and return it to QPAT if you know you are retiring in the current school year. An insurance package will be sent to you.
If you do not join the QPAT plan with IA, you must register with the Régie de l’assurance maladie du Québec (RAMQ) for prescription medication coverage (Quebec residents). You can find more information on the RAMQ prescription program at RAMQ prescription coverage and follow the links for information that may apply to you.
Retirees who are already 65 at the time of retirement will continue with RAMQ for prescription medication coverage. Their choice is whether or not to join the QPAT plan with IA for supplemental health coverage.
There is no dental insurance coverage available to retirees through the QPAT plan with IA.
Redeemable sick leave days (moneyable sick days) are paid at retirement based on the daily rate at that time.
Under Revenue Canada’s “Retiring Allowance” provisions it is possible to have the value of these sick days transferred into a RRSP, subject to your available RRSP contribution room, to avoid immediate taxation. Your school board will provide you with forms.
If you were an employee with your board or a predecessor board prior to 1996, you may be eligible for extra RRSP contribution room. For more information on retiring allowance provisions, see Revenue Canada and retiring allowance.
The school board must pay out remaining salary owed due to the 10-month adjustment at the time of departure. The most common situation is for a teacher who retires at the end of June; they will receive the deferred salary usually paid in July and August (so-called “summer pays”) as a lump sum at the time of departure.
The process becomes irrevocable for Retraite Québec as soon as the first pension payment is deposited.
The process becomes irrevocable for the school board as soon as they receive and accept the letter of resignation for retirement.
Frequently asked questions
These questions are general in nature and only for illustrative purposes. Each individual’s situation will be different.
Since January 1, 1988 all teachers, whether they are full-time, part-time, hourly rate or substitute teachers, pay contributions to both RREGOP and QPP based on the amount of time worked. Prior to January 1, 1988, only teachers with regular contracts contributed to RREGOP.
The pension benefits for RREGOP are based on a formula. The basic annual pension is calculated as follows: 2% x average best paid five years of salary X the number of total years of contributions. For example, someone with a best five year average salary of $75,000 who has contributed for 35 years will receive $52,500 per year (2% x 75,000 x 35). This amount will be reduced at age 65 to take into account the eligibility for the 100% level of QPP benefits.
The QPP benefit is also based on a formula, but it is significantly more complex than that of the RREGOP. It takes into account all paid work as an employee in any job, not just teaching. The 100% level of benefits based on years of contributions is age 65, but it is possible to take a reduced pension as early as age 60 or an increased pension as late as age 70.
Yes, they are considered income and are therefore taxable.
It depends on why you are away from work and for how long. You should check to see whether your specific absence is covered or not. If you have been on a leave-of-absence, you can also enquire about the possibility of buying back the time after the leave is over to receive credit for pension service.
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Need additional help?
You may contact QPAT via email at any time. However, your local union represents you on behalf of the provincial Association. Your local union is the first place to call for more Information