The Government of Alberta's 2019 Provincial Budget included a provision that assigned responsibility for managing ATRF's assets to the Alberta Investment Management Corporation. View the
2019 Asset Management Changes web page to find out more about the change and how it will be implemented.
Check out the latest Pension Points newsletter
The May issue of the Pension Points newsletter is now available! Check your email inbox for the full version. If you missed it, you can click here to view the articles. If you're not on our email list, make sure you sign up on MyPension or contact member@atrf.com.
Recent media reports regarding losses at AIMCo
We’ve had many members ask us about recent media reports of an investment strategy used by the Alberta Investment Management Corporation (AIMCo) that resulted in significant losses (see articles in the Globe and Mail and Institutional Investor). Our members are expressing concern about their assets and their pensions, so we want to reassure them that their pensions remain secure...
ATRF’s strategies for managing and protecting pension assets in turbulent times
Global markets have seen significant turbulence in the last few weeks, which might have some ATRF members concerned about their pension assets. During this ongoing global health crisis there are job losses, business closures, market volatility, and – especially for the Alberta economy – the effects of an oil price war. Despite all this, let me take this opportunity to reassure you that your pension is safe.
ATRF and PSP Investments Complete Acquistion of AltaGas Canada Inc.
On March 31, 2020, ATRF and PSP Investments completed the acquisition of all the 30,000,000 common shares of ACI. The Purchaser acquired each common share for $33.50, for total consideration of $1.005 billion. Click below to read the full news release.
ATRF Board Updates
Recently, the Government appointed a new board member to fill a vacant board position. We want to warmly welcome Tim Wiles as our newest Board Member.
Tim is the President and CEO of the Credit Union Deposit Guarantee Corporation and has been a valued member of numerous, related boards over the years including AIMCo and the Public Sector Pension Plan. Tim has also spent nearly 25 years with the provincial government, including seven years as a Deputy Minister. His experience and expertise will be an asset to ATRF.
We are also pleased that Board Member Maria Holowinsky's term has been renewed for another three years. Maria has been a Board Member since 2017 and is an invaluable member of the team.
COVID-19 Member and Employer Information
ATRF is taking extensive measures to ensure members continue to receive their pensions, and that all ATRF members continue to receive necessary services during the COVID-19 global pandemic - while also ensuring ATRF staff remain healthy and safe.
These are unprecedented circumstances, but we've been working with Alberta teachers for decades, we've always been here for them, and that's not going to change.
We're prepared and ready to help. With COVID-19 and the safety of all Albertans top of mind, we're committed to keeping you informed about what we're doing...
Message to ATRF Members on Pandemic Preparedness
Message from ATRF CEO Rod Matheson (March 13, 2020) As the world continues to find ways to deal with the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, I want to share the steps we are taking at ATRF to ensure teachers’ pensions remain secure, and to ensure we are able to continue serving our members without interruption...
ATRF Named One of Alberta’s Top 75 Employers for Fourth Consecutive Year
ATRF is proud to have been selected as one of Alberta's Top 75 Employers for 2020. This is the fourth consecutive year the organization has been recognized as an employer that leads their industry in offering an exceptional workplace for employees.
Reduction to contribution rates
If you've had a chance to read the 2018-19 Annual Report or highlights, you may have noticed that the ATRF Board was able to reduce the contribution rates for both the Teachers' Pension Plan (TPP) and Private School Teachers' Pension Plan (PSTPP). For the TPP, contributions will be reduced by 1% of teachers' salaries and for the PSTPP, 0.54%. This reduction will take effect September 1, 2020.
The 2019 Annual Report is Available Online
ATRF is building on a solid foundation of high-quality member services and exceptional returns.
Inside this year's annual report:
Further reductions to contribution rates as a result of a strong investment returns, prudent planning and sound pension management (pg. 35)
ATRF's commitment to strong investment returns while maintaining stable funding (pg. 41, 49)
Important messages from our Board chair (pg. 9) and CEO (pg. 13)
An increase to the funded status of the Teachers' Pension Plan (pg. 34)
Continuous improvements to the way we provide services to members through Project Lantern (pg. 28)
An overview of our most interesting investments this year (pg. 46-47)
Only have a few minutes? Take a look at our annual report highlights—a condensed version of the annual report that will highlight what ATRF has accomplished this year. Happy reading!
2020 Year's Maximum Pensionable Earnings (YMPE) and Maximum Pensionable Salary
Your monthly contribution to the Plan is integrated with your contribution to the Canada Pension Plan (CPP) and takes the YMPE into consideration. The YMPE is the year's maximum pensionable earnings covered by the CPP. The YMPE for 2020 is $58,700. The Defined Benefit limit set by Canada Revenue Agency is $3,092.22 in 2020; therefore, the maximum pensionable salary will be $172,221 for 2020.
