Pension Update December 2022
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Message from the CEO
As the holiday break grows closer, I wanted to take this opportunity to thank our plan members and school boards for another excellent year working in partnership with you.
While it may seem like a lifetime ago, it was just this past spring when we re-opened our doors to the public and resumed in-person appointments.
This year brought many encouraging results amidst some still significant challenges, but through it all, our hands were firmly on the wheel of the teachers’ pension plans, steering them towards sustainability and a secure pension for members in their retirement. You can read all about it early next year when we release the 2021-22 Annual Report and the new Member Report.
Pension Information Statements
Pension Information Statements are mailed out every year in mid-January. Sign in to MyPension to go paperless, and receive your statement earlier. Your Pension Information Statement is a one-page document that describes your current pension information. A guide on how to read your Pension Information Statement is available here.
Do you prefer to receive a digital version instead of a paper copy? Log in to MyPension, navigate to the Join Our Email List (JOEL) tab, and ensure you select to receive a digital version of this document. You also have the option to receive an email notification advising you when it’s ready. Otherwise, you can view your statement online at the beginning of January. If you don’t opt for paperless, a statement will be mailed to you.
Behind the A's Series with ASEBP
Did you know that the Alberta School Employee Benefits Plan (ASEBP) offers medical benefits for both teachers and retirees? Let’s try a harder question. Do you know which organization handles your health benefits application and which handles your pension application? Check out this video for the answers to these questions and more.
Closed for the Holidays
ATRF will be closed for services from December 24, 2022 through January 2, 2023, re-opening on January 3, 2023. Remember that the MyPension member portal and ATRF website are always available to our members. We wish you and your family a joyous holiday season and look forward to serving you again in 2023.
Cost-of-Living Adjustments for 2023
Each January, a cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) is applied to your pension. COLA is a percentage of the annual increase in the Alberta Consumer Price Index that changes every year. This year’s adjustments reflect the rise in inflation over the last year.
Using ATRF's Digital Tools
Do you have a document that you need to share with ATRF? Right now, there are a few different ways that you can safely and securely send us information. If you are sending us information using email, please ensure that the quality of the image that you are sending is high.
Tax Slips
If you don’t receive your paper tax slip by early March, please contact us at retiredmember@atrf.com and we will mail a duplicate to you. Please ensure that we have your up-to-date contact information including your address, in order to minimize any disruption to your service.
Pre-Scheduled Appointments
Do you have questions about your pension? You can always give us a call or send an email, but you can also pre-book an appointment to chat with our knowledgeable and friendly pension specialists.
Pension Deposit Dates
Wondering when your pension payments will be deposited in 2023? ATRF deposits pension payments on the third last business day of the month, except for the month of December, when the deposits are made on the second last business day prior to December 25. We’ve updated the pension deposit dates for 2023 on our website.
How to Change Your Tax Deductions
The new year is a good time to review the amount of taxes being withheld from your pension to determine if that number needs to be adjusted. If you have multiple sources of income or new sources of income for 2023, it’s important to consider whether enough taxes are being taken off your pension payment each month.