Your pension after the 2025 OPSEU Support Staff Strike

The OPSEU Support Staff Strike has ended. If you are a CAAT Pension Plan member – whether you participated in the strike or not – you may have questions about how it affected your pension. 

Rest assured: your CAAT pension is secure

CAAT Pension Plan is built for long-term stability and the strike did not affect the pension you earned or the health of the Plan. It is currently funded at 124%, meaning it holds $1.24 for every dollar promised in pension payouts. With over $6 billion in reserves, the Plan is well prepared to weather both short- and long-term economic challenges—including those affecting Ontario’s college system.

With these strengths, you can feel confident that CAAT will continue to provide you with lifetime retirement income. The Plan’s resilience means you’re supported through economic uncertainties —giving you peace of mind about your financial future.

What happens now

• If the tentative agreement is ratified, you’ll be able to purchase the time you were on strike. CAAT will automatically create a quote for you once we receive the required information from your employer. If you do not receive your quote by March 31, 2026, please contact CAAT.

• You do not need to take any action unless you retired or left your employment during the strike.   
  •  You will receive an information package by mail. It will include a formal quote which will provide the actual cost of purchasing the service, along with your payment options and deadlines. Once you’ve received the quote, you’ll have 30 days to decide whether to proceed and 60 days to make the payment if you do.

• If you were not on strike, your pension and contributions continued as usual. 

Below are answers to common questions about your pension and the strike period. If your situation isn’t covered, please contact CAAT Member Services.

Strike-Related Pension Questions

• Was my pension secure during the strike? 
  Yes, your pension is secure. You continued to remain a member of the Plan, but no contributions were made, and no pensionable service was earned during the strike.

• Will my strike pay be factored into my pension service? 
  No. Strike pay is not pensionable, and contributions cannot be made to it.

• Now that the strike is over, what happens to my lost service? Can I make up for the missed pension contributions? 
  Yes. You now can purchase pension service for the strike period. CAAT will provide details about the process, cost, and deadlines, and guide you through the process.

• I did not participate in the strike. Was my pension affected? 
  No. Your pension and contributions continued as usual. 

• I retired during the strike. What happens to my pension? 
  Your pensionable service only goes up to September 11, 2025. You can choose to purchase the strike period to include it in your pension. You may see an increase in your pension once service from the end of the strike to your retirement date is reported and included. After your employer submits updated data, CAAT will adjust your pension and send you a quote. You’ll have 30 days to decide and 60 days to pay if you proceed. If you purchase, your pension will be increased retroactively; if not, it will remain reduced. 

• I left my job for another employer during the strike. What happens to my pension? 
  Even though you left your job during the strike, you may still be eligible to purchase the strike period to increase your pension. Your Termination Options Document includes details about this option. If you've already received your package, CAAT will follow up with next steps. 

• Am I eligible to purchase the strike period? 
  You may be eligible if you were a member of the CAAT Plan before and after the strike. CAAT will confirm eligibility once employer data is submitted. 

• How can I pay for the purchase? 
  You can pay using cash or a transfer from a registered retirement savings plan (RRSP). Your options will be outlined in the materials CAAT sends you about the strike and your pension. 

• Are there tax implications if I decide to purchase the strike service? 
  If you pay for your purchase in cash, CAAT will calculate and submit a Past Service Pension Adjustment (PSPA) to the Canada Revenue Agency if required. For payments made by transferring funds from a registered account, there is no PSPA.  

• Is there a deadline to complete the purchase? 
  Once you receive your quote, you typically have 90 days to complete the purchase.

• Can I change my mind later and buy it after the deadline?

  If you don’t make the purchase within 90 days but decide to do so later, CAAT will prepare a new quote based on your age and salary at that time.

• What happens if I don’t purchase the strike period or decide to pay for part of the strike period? 

  If you don’t purchase the strike period, that time won’t count toward your pensionable service, which may reduce your future pension. You can choose to pay for part of the strike period, but any unpaid portion won’t be credited – potentially lowering your total service and pension amount compared to a full purchase.

• How will I know the strike purchase is complete?

  Once your payment is received, CAAT will mail you a confirmation letter. You will be able to see the service purchase on future Annual Statements. Take a moment to check your My Pension account, if you have one, to see your purchase there as well. 

General Pension Questions

• I’m not part of the Ontario college sector. Is my CAAT pension affected by the OPSEU Support Staff strike? 
  No. The strike did not impact your pension. As a fully funded plan with $6 billion in reserves, your pension is secure.

• Should I be worried about the future of my CAAT pension? 
  Not at all. CAAT Pension Plan is built for long-term stability. It is currently funded at 124%, meaning it holds $1.24 for every dollar promised in pension payouts.

• How is CAAT prepared for economic challenges? 
  The Plan’s strong financial position and growing membership ensure it can weather both short- and long-term economic challenges, including those affecting Ontario’s college system.

• Will pension benefits be impacted over the long term?

  The Plan is strongly funded and continues to deliver valuable conditional enhancements that reflect its resilience and commitment to providing meaningful retirement security. These include inflation protection, lower contribution rates for DBprime members, an increase to the annual pension factor for DBplus members, and enhanced survivor benefits.

Have more questions? We’re here to help. 

If you have questions, send us a message via the Message Centre on My Pension, or contact Member Services by email at member@caatpension.ca or by phone at 1-866-350-2228 or 416.673.9000 (Toronto). Hours of Operation: Monday to Friday, 8:30 AM – 4:30 PM (Eastern Time). Have your Member ID ready when you call.