Rate increase

Contribution rates are going up 0.5% in April 2026.

Key words

A quick look at these key words will help you get the most from this page.

Contribution: The money you pay into the pension plan.

Earnings: On this page, earnings mean your pensionable earnings, or the salary used to calculate your pension contributions. It does not include income for things like overtime, severance, and contract work.

Employer Pension and Insurance Advisory Committee (also called the Advisory Committee): This group represents employers’ interests. Members include management from the pension plan’s largest employers. The Advisory Committee, in consultation with the Liaison Committee, makes recommendations about the pension plan to the Manitoba government.

Superannuation and Insurance Liaison Committee (also called the Liaison Committee or SILC): Committee members are appointed by organizations that represent employees and retired members of the pension plan. The Liaison Committee, in consultation with the Advisory Committee, makes recommendations about the pension plan to the Manitoba government.

Contribution rate increase: protecting your pension

Your pension is an important part of your retirement income. When you retire, your pension income is paid for your lifetime. This is our promise to members: lifelong payments.

Keeping this promise means making sure the pension plan is financially healthy now and in the future. To do that, the amount you pay toward your pension will increase.

In April, contribution rates will go up by 0.5% of your earnings each year, for four years. The total increase is 2%.

Your employer’s contributions will also increase by the same amount.  

These changes will help maintain the long-term security of your pension through your retirement. For members who are already retired, nothing changes for you.

Why changes are needed

The cost of pension benefits has gone up since contribution rates last increased in 2015.

Independent actuaries who review the plan’s finances have advised that current contributions are no longer enough to support the benefits being provided.  

Compared with similar pension plans, CSSB members contribute among the lowest rates while receiving some of the highest benefits. As pension costs have increased, many pension plans have raised contribution rates over time.

What the increase means for you and the plan

Working members and those contributing to the plan while on leave:

• Your pension benefits in retirement do not change
• Your other plan benefits or options, like access to early retirement, do not change
• Your pension contributions will increase as outlined in the timeline below
• The increase helps strengthens the long-term financial health of the plan

Retired members:

• Your pension does not change
• There is nothing you need to do
• Your payments will continue as usual

How this change was made

After careful review and with advice from independent actuaries, the Liaison and Advisory committees jointly recommended this change. The committees carefully considered the current economic environment and affordability for members.

The Government of Manitoba reviewed and approved this change.

Rate increases over time

This table shows how pension contribution rates will change over time. We provide examples of the cost to members further on this page.

Pension contribution rates 2026–2029

Effective dates	Earnings up to the YMPE	Earnings above the YMPE
Current contributions	8.0%	9.0%
April 2026	8.5%	9.5%
April 2027	9.0%	10.0%
April 2028	9.5%	10.5%
January 2029	10.0%	11.0%

• YMPE stands for the Year’s Maximum Pensionable Earnings. A contribution rate (%) applies to your earnings up to the YMPE and, if applicable, a higher contribution rate (%) applies to your earnings above the YMPE.
• The YMPE is set each year by the Canada Revenue Agency. We can’t know in advance the YMPE for future years.
• If your earnings are less than the YMPE ($74,600 in 2026), you pay the percentage of earnings in the left column only.

How much this will cost

This table shows what the increase will mean to you in 2026. The amounts shown are estimates.

Earnings	Annual contributions (current rates)	Annual contributions (after first 0.5% increase)	* Bi-weekly contribution increase
$50,000	$4,000	$4,250	$10
$75,000	$6,004	$6,379	$14
$100,000	$8,254	$8,754	$19
$125,000	$10,504	$11,129	$24
$150,000	$12,754	$13,504	$29

* The examples shown are before tax. Pension contributions are tax deductible (up to Income Tax Act limits), so you will pay less tax. The after-tax impact will vary based on your tax situation.

Your pension continues to provide more than monthly income

In addition to monthly income for life, your pension offers many other benefits and features. These are not changing. 

Pension plan formula

The pension plan formula used to calculate your pension at retirement will not change.

Protection for family members

When you retire, you can provide pension income for your spouse or common-law partner if you die first. Benefits are also payable if you pass away before retirement.

No investment decisions to make

A team of professionals manage the pension fund. They focus on investing and managing risks, while following strict guidelines overseen by the Board.

Pension increases

While not guaranteed, your pension may increase from time-to-time to help with rising prices.