​(June 1, 2021) Chief Investment Officer (CIO) Derek Brodersen will be leaving ATRF effective August 31, 2021.ATRF’s internal investment resourcing requirements will change due to the legislated transition of investment management to AIMCo. As a result, Mr. Brodersen will not be replaced. In addition to his current responsibilities, Gary Smith, ATRF’s Vice President, Fund Risk & Strategy, will be assuming responsibility for the oversight of ATRF’s investment-related functions effective September 1, 2021

(May 27, 2021) While the pandemic has hindered in-person interactions with our members, it has given us the opportunity to continue enhancing our online services—like introducing ATRF-hosted webinars!  We are very pleased to announce that you can now attend a webinar through Zoom from the comfort of your home or anywhere you have an internet connection. ​

(May 19, 2021) ATRF is enhancing our financial systems to make it more convenient, timely, and cost efficient for retired members to receive their pension payments while living abroad. We have been working with Western Union to have monthly pension payments for retired members living outside of Canada paid safely and securely into their non-Canadian bank account, almost anywhere in the world, and in any currency. This means when you retire and if you plan to live abroad you won't need to be paid via cheque or retain a bank account in North America. You can have your pension paid in the local currency, in the country you're residing in.        

(May 19, 2021) To enhance the security of electronic communication, we are introducing a secure email function. This new tool works in conjunction with our other security measures to provide the ability to receive and respond to confidential information from ATRF with added security and controls.  

(April 1, 2021) ATRF has a long history of ensuring Alberta teachers' pension funds are invested responsibly, and in a way that reflects the values of ATRF and its members. ATRF developed a Responsible Investing Policy and implemented it in 2017. Since then, that policy has been closely adhered to and has been a part of every investment decision made by the ATRF investment management group...

​(March 25, 2021) On March 10, 2021, the Alberta Teachers' Association (ATA) filed a legal challenge regarding the validity of the Ministerial Order (MO) that was issued by the Government of Alberta (GoA) in December, 2020, establishing the terms of the investment management services that AIMCo will provide ATRF as its sole investment manager. Our plans' sponsors, the ATA and the GoA, are currently parties to a legal challenge in which both ATRF and AIMCo are named. As part of that legal challenge, the ATA asked the court to prohibit the transfer of additional pension assets to AIMCo "until such time as the parties negotiate an IMA [investment management agreement] or a valid Ministerial Order is enacted"...

(March 8, 2021) In 2018, a group of Edmonton women in finance decided they wanted to create an association that would support other women and help them network and grow their careers. One of these women was Yulia Ilina, Senior Analyst, Fixed Income at the Alberta Teachers' Retirement Fund (ATRF). "I wouldn't say I'm one of the founders," said Yulia. "But a few of us at ATRF were part of the group that created Edmonton Women in Finance. We were the ones who supported the idea and devoted our time and energy to turning it into a reality. ATRF was very supportive of our work in this area."

(March 1, 2021) ATRF is now offering Interac e-Transfers and bill payments as a method for purchasing service! If you are in the process of buying back service from a leave or substitute service and you wish to pay using personal funds, you no longer need to pay using a cheque. When you've been approved for your purchase, you can set up ATRF as a vendor for bill payments or a contact for e-transfers.

(Feb. 5, 2021) Alberta teachers have a diverse set of assets in their pension plans' investment portfolio. Infrastructure assets are investments in the basic physical systems of an industry or a country, such as roads, bridges, ports, pipelines or power grids. Over the past ten years, our Infrastructure assets earned an impressive 12.5% return and currently make up 8% of the plans' policy asset mix...

(Jan. 28, 2021) Several times over the past five years teachers’ contribution rates have been reduced. This year, despite a year of tremendous market volatility, the ATRF Board has determined we are still able to maintain contribution rates at current levels. As a result of sound management, solid investment returns, and prudent long-term planning, contribution rates will not be increasing in September 2021. More information can be found in this year’s annual report.

(Jan. 27, 2021)​ We are proud to announce that ATRF has been selected as one of Alberta's Top Employers for a fifth consecutive year! Alberta's Top Employers is a special designation that recognizes Alberta employers that lead their industries in offering exceptional places to work. "We really appreciate this recognition of our workplace and people," said Vice President, People & Culture, Marcie Chisholm. "ATRF is a remarkable organization that is a reflection of the outstanding contributions and personalities of our dedicated team members."

(Jan. 14, 2021) It's been a very memorable year. Between the global pandemic that threatened lives, economies, and markets, and the provincial government's announcement last fall that asset management would transition to AIMCo, it's been a very busy year, to say the least. The annual report this year is a collection of data and information that tells that story, and it wouldn't be complete without our staff and those we serve taking part in the project. That's why you will see the faces of Alberta teachers, students, and ATRF team members in this year's report. You will also notice a variety of landscapes and schools from across Alberta.

(Jan. 11, 2021) Work continues on the transfer of ATRF's asset management function to the Alberta Investment Management Corporation (AIMCo) as required by legislation. One of the legislated requirements is for ATRF's assets to be managed in accordance with an Investment Management Agreement (IMA) between ATRF and AIMCo...

(Nov. 26, 2020) ​ATRF is a high-performance organization that is well-governed and well-managed, making certain our members always receive excellent value from our services. We also want to ensure ATRF continues to earn our solid reputation as a stable organization that manages strong pension funds. ATRF is a founding member of the Canadian Coalition for Good Governance (CCGG), which is a national organization that promotes good governance practices and regulatory environment improvements, aligning the interests of boards and management teams with shareholders' interests — for ATRF, this translates to our plan members.

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...