Eligible period: scenario 8

A period lost due to a legal strike or lockout

Description

You can buy pension credit for any period of employment with an Ontario Public Service (OPS) employer during which you were unable to work due to a legal strike or lockout.

When to apply

We recommend you apply within 24 months of the date the strike or lockout ends. If you don't, you'll still be able to buy pension credit for the period, but it will be priced differently and will likely cost you more.

How to apply

If you have a period lost due to a legal strike or lockout, you can apply by writing to us at Ontario Pension Board, 200 King St. West, Suite 2200, Toronto, ON, M5H 3X6.

Please provide us with your client number and start and end dates of the strike or lockout. Once you contact us, we will send you an Election to Purchase Credit form. This form outlines the cost of your purchase and your payment options.

What it will cost

Costing for all buyback types is based on your annual salary at the time we receive your completed application and all required supporting documents (if any).

If you apply for your purchase within 24 months of the date the legal strike or lockout ends:

• Your cost will be calculated using two times the contribution rate in effect during the eligible period you're buying back (the cost is two times the contribution rate because your employer is not required to match contributions for this type of period)

If you apply for your purchase after 24 months of the date the legal strike or lockout ends:

• Your cost will equal the actuarial value (this is the amount needed to fund the additional pension benefits you're entitled to as a result of buying back pension credit)

Payment options

Payment options include:

• Personal cheque
• Direct transfer from an RRSP, LIRA, or deferred profit sharing plan (DPSP)
• Direct transfer from another registered pension plan (RPP)
• Payroll deduction (this option is available only if the cost of your buyback is $500 or more; deductions can be made over a maximum of 10 years or up to your retirement date, whichever is earlier)
• A combination of any of the above

If you transfer money from an RRSP, LIRA, DPSP or RPP to pay for your pension credit, the transfer can be made tax-free – provided you use the appropriate direct transfer, which we will send to you.

Payment due date

The exact due date will be noted on the Election to Purchase Credit form we send you. However, payment or your decision to pay through payroll deductions is due 92 days from the date we mail your election form.