Annual Webinar on benefit security and the CAAT Plan’s continued sustainability

Although 2019 was an exceptional year for the Fund’s performance, recent events have dramatically changed the near-term outlook for the Canadian and global economies. After a brief presentation highlighting the Plan’s 2019 performance, Derek W. Dobson, CAAT’s CEO, will be available to answer your questions about the financial health of the Plan and its continued sustainability during these uncertain times.

With a funded status of 118% and a funding reserve of $2.9 billion, the CAAT Plan is well positioned to weather the current economic storm and remains one of the most sustainable pension plans in Canada.

A recording of the webinar is available.

Message from Derek W. Dobson, Chief Executive Officer and Plan Manager – March 26, 2020

Your pension remains secure

Although the COVID-19 pandemic is disrupting our lives and investment markets, you can rest assured your benefit is secure and pensions will be paid on time. The lifetime pension you have earned is not affected by investment market fluctuations.

Pension plans are considered essential businesses under Ontario’s guidelines. Our top priority is to keep the Plan running smoothly, and to ensure pensions are paid on time. We remain dedicated to serving our members and employers, and supporting the ongoing health and safety of our staff and community. Our offices are closed, but staff are working from home. Our response times to calls and e-mails may be slower, but we continue to work diligently on providing our high standard of service to our members and employers.

As always, our phone lines are open Monday through Friday, 8:30 am – 4:30 pm., Eastern time. For any questions, contact member services at member@caatpension.on.ca, or 416-673-9000 / 1-866-350-2228 (toll-free).

We’re focused on the long term

The stable, predictable lifetime pension income that CAAT delivers is a key benefit of a defined benefit pension plan. The Plan has been steadily building reserves over the past decade consistent with our focus on benefit security. Your CAAT pension is secure.

The Plan’s most recent valuation as at January 1, 2020, shows funding reserves of $2.9 billion plus an additional $0.8 billion in deferred asset gains (asset smoothing reserves). These reserves have been purpose-built to keep the Plan strong during periods of uncertainty. The recent moves in the market have decreased the market value of our assets, but the decrease is covered by our reserves. We continue to be very well funded.

Our thoughtful design, long-term focus and large reserves are key factors in CAAT being one of the most sustainable pension plans in Canada. Our stability provides security to our members in an uncertain world. I hope knowing that your pension is secure provides you with some peace of mind during these difficult times. I wish you and your family good health.

Most sincerely,

Derek W. Dobson,

Chief Executive Officer and Plan Manager

COVID-19 update from the CAAT Pension Plan – March 17, 2020

The CAAT Pension Plan is closely monitoring the developments surrounding COVID-19.

As always, our top priority is to keep the Plan running smoothly, and to ensure pensions are paid on time. During this time, we remain dedicated to serving our members and employers, and supporting the ongoing health and safety of our staff and community.

To do our part in “flattening the curve,” we are encouraging staff to work from home. We are committed to maintaining our services for members, and have been working internally, and with key service providers, to ensure we are prepared for any work disruptions.

We are no longer permitting visitors at our office, and have stopped employee travel. As a result, all scheduled member presentations in March and April will be conducted through webinar.

We will continue to assess the situation and follow the guidance of local, provincial, and federal health authorities.

We continue to be focused on providing the same reliable service to our members and employers. Although our response times to calls and e-mails may be slower, we will continue to work diligently on providing our high standard of service.

For any questions, contact member services at member@caatpension.on.ca, or 416-673-9000 / 1-866-350-2228 (toll-free).

Check back on our website for more updates.

COVID-19 impacts – March 13, 2020

The CAAT Pension Plan is monitoring the current and potential future impacts of COVID-19. While it has had significant impacts on many families, communities, and on global investment markets, it has no impact on the security of your pension from the CAAT Pension Plan. The secure defined benefit pension you have earned is not affected by investment market fluctuations. The stable, predictable lifetime pension income that CAAT delivers is a key benefit of a defined benefit pension plan. The Plan has been steadily building reserves over the past decade consistent with our primary focus on benefit security.

Our thoughtful design, long-term focus and large reserves are key factors in CAAT being one of the most sustainable pension plans in Canada. Our stability provides peace of mind to our members in an uncertain world.

The Plan and our key service providers regularly test our operations to ensure we can continue to pay the pensions our members rely on each month. We are well prepared and feel confident your pensions will be paid on time. Although our response times to calls and e-mails may be slower, we will continue to work diligently on providing our high standard of service to our members and employers.