Transferring Service

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Learn more about how reciprocal transfer agreements work, including amounts, timelines, and a list of associated pension plans.

Reciprocal Transfer Agreements

The Teachers’ Pension Plans have reciprocal transfer agreements with a number of pension plans across the country. This means that a new member (or outgoing member) can transfer their service into and out of a variety of plans across Canada, including plans administered by ATRF. The purpose of a reciprocal transfer is to combine pensionable service that you have in separate pension plans into your current plan to enable you to retire with a higher pension income.  Transferring may allow you to retire sooner, have less early retirement reduction, and to possibly have your pension calculated with a higher average salary.

Transfer Amount

The amount available for transfer from the exporting pension plan is equal to the value of the accrued pension benefit in that plan. The amount requested by the importing pension plan is equal to the value of the benefit for the pensionable service to be credited. These two amounts may not be equal because the pension plans may have different pension formulas.

If there is a shortfall between the amount available for transfer and the amount required by the importing pension plan to grant you equivalent service, you may pay the difference and be credited for all of the pensionable service being transferred. If you decide not to pay the difference, your pensionable service transferred will be reduced proportionately.

If ATRF is the exporter, and the amount requested by the importing pension plan is less than the value of the benefit you would receive if you were withdrawing funds as a termination benefit, the difference will be paid directly to you in cash with income tax deducted. It cannot be transferred to an RRSP.

Time Limits

Some transfer agreements include specific timelines for transferring your service. Be sure to check the Reciprocal Transfer Agreement Infosheets below and contact us if you have any questions.

Eligibility and Required Documents

For information about eligibility, required documents, and a copy of the application form, refer to the Reciprocal Transfer Agreements Information Sheets below.

Reciprocal Transfer Agreement with Teachers' Pension Plan Authorities

The authorities participating under the Teachers’ Pension Plan Authorities Reciprocal Transfer Agreement (apart from ATRF) are:

  • BC Pension Corporation
  • Régimes de retraite du secteur public (Quebec)
  • Manitoba Teachers’ Retirement Allowances Fund Board
  • Newfoundland and Labrador Teachers’ Pension Plan
  • Ontario Teachers’ Pension Plan Board
  • Province of New Brunswick Department of Finance
  • Province of Nova Scotia Pension Services Group
  • Saskatchewan Teachers’ Federation
  • Saskatchewan Teachers’ Superannuation Commission
  • Teachers’ Superannuation Commission of PEI

Alberta Public Sector Pension Plans Agreement

The authorities participating under the Alberta Public Sector Pension Plans Reciprocal Transfer Agreement are:

  • Local Authorities Pension Plan
  • Management Employees Pension Plan
  • Public Service Pension Plan

Government of Canada Agreement

Effective January 13, 2012, a reciprocal agreement was established between the Alberta Teachers’ Retirement Fund and the Government of Canada Public Service Pension Plan (PSPP).

1974 Reciprocal Transfer Agreements

British Columbia (BC) Teachers’ Pension​​ Plan

Transfers of pensionable service under this reciprocal transfer agreement are permitted only at retirement, and only if you are being granted a pension by the importing pension plan.

If, on January 31, 1995, you had pensionable service with ATRF and the British Columbia Teachers’ Pension Plan (BCTPP), you may be able to participate under the 1974 Reciprocal Transfer Agreement if:

  • you are eligible to apply for a pension at some time in the future from the importing pension plan, and
  • you are not in receipt of a pension from either ATRF or BCTPP.

When ATRF is the importing pension plan:

  • you must have at least five years of pensionable service with ATRF,
  • your combined pensionable service with ATRF and BCTPP must meet ATRF’s minimum service requirements for pension eligibility, and
  • you must have at least one year of pensionable service with ATRF after the last year of pensionable service being transferred from BCTPP.

The years of pensionable service with BCTPP are used to determine your eligibility for pension and to calculate your ATRF pension.​

Refer to the 1974 BC Reciprocal Transfer Agreement Information Sheet for more information.

Other Pension Plans

Teachers who contributed to one of the following plans may still be eligible to transfer under the 1974 Reciprocal Transfer Agreement:

  • Régimes de retraite du secteur public (Quebec)
  • Manitoba Teachers’ Retirement Allowances Fund
  • Ontario Teachers’ Pension Plan
  • Saskatchewan Teachers’ Superannuation Commission

Transfers of pensionable service under this reciprocal transfer agreement are permitted only at retirement, and only if you are being granted a pension by the importing pension plan.

Refer to the 1974 Reciprocal Transfer Agreement Information Sheets below for more details.

Reciprocal Transfer Agreement Infosheets