Upon termination, members may leave their pension benefits with the CSSB as a deferred pension until the member is eligible to receive a monthly pension.

A member’s pension is considered deferred if he or she is no longer an employee or active member in the plan, and is either under age 55, or is at least age 55 but has not applied to commence the pension. Cost-of-living increases applied to deferred pensions are the same as increases granted on pensions in payment.

Death

If a member with a deferred pension dies before the pension has commenced, his or her eligible spouse or common-law partner would be entitled to an immediate lifetime pension with a value that is equal to or greater than the member’s transfer value. If at the time of death, the member had no spouse or common-law partner, or the member was living separate and apart from a spouse or common-law partner by reason of a breakdown in the relationship or a spouse or common-law partner had waived his or her entitlement to the pension, pension benefits would be paid to the deferred member’s estate unless the member has made a beneficiary designation in compliance with The Beneficiary Designation Act.

Disability

A member with a deferred pension who has ten or more years of qualifying service can apply for a disability pension if he or she becomes permanently disabled before age 55.

Reinstatement

Reinstatement is the option of combining a prior Fund account with a new Fund account. This allows the pension for the prior period to be redetermined including the salary in the new account. A terminated member may be eligible to reinstate prior service if he or she again becomes an active member of the Fund within three years of having ceased to be an employee and applies for reinstatement within two years of again becoming an active member. A member cannot reinstate prior service if any of the benefits for the prior Fund account have been refunded or transferred, or any excess contributions from the prior Fund account have been removed from the plan or the Money Purchase Plan. However, where a prior benefit was required to be removed under the small benefit unlocking provision, the member may be eligible to reinstate that pension if the original benefit amount plus interest is repaid and the necessary timelines are met.

Retirement

The pension plan allows a retirement date to be any day of the year. A member can retire if he or she is at least age 55, is no longer an employee in the plan, and has submitted a Notice of Retirement (CSSB form # RFA) to the Board.

A Notice of Retirement for a deferred pension must be submitted to the Board on or before the retirement date. The retirement date for a deferred pension is the same as the commencement date. Deferred pensions are not payable prior to the date the Board receives a Notice of Retirement and are not paid retroactively.

Deferred pensions do not commence automatically when a member becomes eligible. To receive the pension, a member must submit a completed Notice of Retirement (prescribed form available from the Board) to the Board office up to six months prior to the pension commencement date.

Transfer

A member can transfer his or her deferred pension benefits out of the plan at any time.