About The Plans - Alberta Teachers' Retirement Fund (ATRF)

The Teachers’ Pension Plan and the Private School Teachers’ Pension Plan have unique liability structures and funding arrangements. The liabilities relate to three distinct components:

Teachers’ Pension Plan pre-1992
Teachers’ Pension Plan post-1992
Private School Teachers’ Pension Plan

ATRF functions as the trustee, administrator and custodian of the assets of the Teachers’ Pension Plan for all Alberta teachers employed in school jurisdictions and charter schools, as well as teachers employed by private schools that have elected to join the Private School Plan.

The plans are defined benefit pension plans registered under the Income Tax Act and are sponsored by the Government of Alberta and the Alberta Teachers’ Association, as representatives of the plan members. These plan sponsors are responsible for changes to plan design, benefits and funding, and share in plan gains and losses.

Teachers' Pension Plan pre-1992

A Memorandum of Agreement between the Government of Alberta and the Alberta Teachers’ Association (2007) specifies the government is responsible for the liabilities associated with the pensions for the period of service before September 1, 1992. There are no assets in the plan for that period of service. The Government of Alberta guarantees the payment of pensions related to the pre-1992 period. ATRF receives sufficient funds each month to pay these pensions as they become due.

Teachers' Pension Plan post-1992

The cost of pension benefits earned for service after August 31, 1992 is shared equally between active plan members and the Government of Alberta. Funding of the 60% cost-of-living pension adjustment provision is shared by the government and active plan members. Active members are responsible for funding the additional 10% cost-of-living pension adjustment provision. Funding deficiencies under the plan are amortized by additional contributions from active members and the Government of Alberta over a 15-year period.

Private Schools

In 1995, legislation established a separate plan for private school teachers. Private school boards are able to choose whether they participate in this plan. The cost of benefits being earned, including the 60% cost-of-living pension adjustment provision, is shared equally between active members and private school employers. Active members are responsible for an additional 10% cost-of-living pension adjustment provision. Funding deficiencies under the plan are amortized by additional contributions from active members and the private school employers over a 15-year period.