Substitute Teaching

Are you a substitute teacher? You may be eligible to purchase service.

Substitute teachers not employed under a teaching contract do not participate in the plans and therefore, no pension contributions are deducted from your salary for substitute service with an ATRF employer. If you worked as a substitute teacher for an ATRF employer after May 1, 1971, you may be eligible to purchase that service.

Eligibility Requirements for Purchasing Service
If you are currently applying for an ATRF pension, you may purchase any amount of substitute service and the cost is subsidized by the Alberta Government*. The pension will be effective the month following when the last purchase was made. If you are currently accruing pensionable service as a contributing active member of ATRF or as a disabled member, you may purchase any amount of substitute service.

If you are a substitute teacher who is not applying for pension note that:

• If you purchase less than 186 days, you are required to pay the full cost.
• If you purchase service in 186-day (1-year) blocks, the cost is subsidized by the Alberta Government*.
• In other words, if you are not currently accruing pensionable service as a contributing active member or as a disabled member, you may purchase only 186-day blocks of substitute service and the cost is subsidized by the Alberta Government*.

The pension may be effective the month following when the last purchase was made.

*The cost is not subsidized for substitute service provided to a private school employer.

Supporting Documentation
If you worked as a substitute teacher before September 1, 1997 and you wish to apply to purchase that service, you must provide a statement from your employer(s) showing the total days taught as a substitute teacher from September to December and January to August of each school year.