OTPP - Ontario Teachers' Pension Plan

Employees who work in the Faculty of Education holding one of the following are considered qualified and eligible to contribute to the Plan: Certificate of Qualification (including interim certificate). This certificate replaces the Ministry of Education’s Ontario Teaching Certificate, Ontario Qualification Record Card and Letters of Standing. Contributions begin as of the effective date of the certificate. A Letter of Permission (LOP) obtained by your employer and issued by the Ministry of Education. Individuals teaching on a Letter of Permission may only contribute during the period for which the letter is issued. Once the letter expires, you are no longer eligible for plan membership. A copy of your LOP must be provided to Human Resources to activate your participation. Participation is compulsory for all persons working in the Faculty of Education who meet the eligibility qualifications, even if you are not teaching, but working in another capacity such as in an administration or support role. Employees who meet the requirements for membership in the OTPP Plan will be contacted by Human Resources.

Employees with Letters of Eligibility are not eligible to contribute to the Plan until such time as an Interim Certificate of Qualification is received. Employees with other provincial certifications are not eligible to contribute to the Plan until such time as Ontario certification is received. Employees who obtain the required qualifications after employment begins are responsible to notify Human Resources so enrolment and participation in the OTPP Plan can commence on time. Those ineligible for membership in the OTPP Plan may be eligible to participate in either the University of Windsor Retirement Plan for Faculty and Certain Employees, or the Employees’ Retirement Plan. Such employees will be advised in writing by Human Resources upon meeting the eligibility requirements.

If you are currently contributing to the OTPP on a full-time school year basis elsewhere, you are not required to make contributions on any additional employment during the same school year, as a member can only accrue one full year of service credit. However, you may choose to contribute on this additional employment as it could be at a higher per diem and therefore have an impact on your pension. It is the responsibility of the individual to notify Human Resources if you do not wish to contribute on University of Windsor earnings. Contributions will be deducted on all pensionable earnings unless notification is received.

• Individuals receiving a monthly pension from the OTPP are not required to contribute to the Plan.

Special rules exist for individuals receiving an OTPP pension. There are limits on the number of days a retiree can work after retirement without affecting their pension.  As each person’s situation may be unique, we recommend you consult the OTPP website under ‘re-employment and teaching after retirement’, to obtain full information about working in education after retirement.  More information about these special rules are available on the OTPP website.

A re-employed pensioner is one who has ceased employment in education; is in receipt of a monthly pension from the OTPP Plan; and is then employed by or otherwise engaged, directly or indirectly, to provide service for compensation for an employer who participates in the OTPP. This includes all re-employment, teaching or non-teaching, whether done on an employment, self-employment or third-party basis. If you meet the above criteria, you are subject to the plan’s re-employment rules. Re-employment in excess of 50 days per school year (Sept – Aug) may affect receipt of your pension.

Re-employment Limits and Rules

• Pensioners can work directly or indirectly for a participating employer up to 50 days in each school year following retirement without interrupting their pension. These earnings are not subject to OTPP pension contributions.
• Employers are required to report the re-employment service and earnings for all pensioners performing work.
• Re-employed pensioners are responsible for tracking workdays and must notify OTPP if the limit is exceeded. OTPP will suspend the pension for as long as they continue to work, even if for only part of a day.
• If a pensioner retires mid school year and is re-employed in the same school year, the pre-retirement workdays do not count toward the 50-day re-employment limit.

Working beyond 50 days

• If your 50th day of re-employment occurs on April 29th and you work your 51st day on April 30th, since you exceeded the 50-day limit in April, your pension will be affected if you work any days in May.
• If your 50th day of re-employment occurs on April 30th and you work your 51st day on May 1st, since you exceeded the 50-day limit in May, you can work until the end of May without interrupting your pension.

It is the responsibility of the individual to monitor their teaching days in accordance with the retirement rules, and to notify OTPP if they exceed the 50-day limit. Contributions will be deducted on all pensionable earnings unless you notify Human Resources that you are in receipt of a monthly OTPP pension.