Pensions & Group RRSP

Pensions

At McMaster University, a majority of current retirees receive their pensions from one of three defined benefit pension plans. In broad terms, two of the plans (Original Plan and Plan 2000) cover retirees who were paid a salary, and the third (Hourly Plan) covers retirees who were paid on an hourly basis. CIBC Mellon administers these pension payments.

Group RRSP

Starting in 2008, defined benefit plans were replaced by a Group RRSP for new TMG employees, new senior academic/administrative officers, and new eligible unionized employees, including Operations & Maintenance, Hospitality Services, Security Services, Machinists, Operating Engineers, Parking Services, and the McMaster University Academic Librarians’ Association. McMaster has partnered with Desjardins Financial to provide a competitive fee structure and flexible Group RRSP product matching employer contributions on required employee contributions.

More information:

• McMaster Human Resources pension plans page
• McMaster Human Resources Group Registered Retirement Savings Plan page
• McMaster Human Resources contact information
  
• MURAnews -- committee reports and articles relating to pensions
• CIBC Mellon (defined benefit pension plan administrator) contact information
• • • retiree pension assistance online
    • toll-free phone numbers:
  • • North American callers: 1-800-565-0479
    • international callers: 1-519-873-2218

Pension plan governance and representation

MURA has representation on the two committees that oversee our pensions. Both representatives are members of MURA's Pensions and Benefits Committee and non-voting members of MURA Council.

• The Hourly Plan
• • Governance:  overseen by a committee of McMaster administration and current hourly-plan employees
  • Representation: Diana Parker is currently the MURA observer on this committee
• The Salaried Plans
• • Governance:  administered by the Pension Trust Committee
  • Representation:  Brian Beckberger is the current MURA voting member on this body

MURA Pensions and Benefits Committee Members 2024/25

The Committee strives to stay informed of changes and areas of concern regarding pensions and benefits so that MURA members can be kept informed. If you have questions or concerns, or if you have any expertise to share with us on pensions and benefits, please email our committee chair.

Pension indexing formula

Hourly Plan

For any current year, the pension increase calculation is based on:

1. the last 5 years' annual average rate of return (net of investment costs) that exceeds 6.0%, and
2. the Consumer Price Index (CPI)

The annual increase is whichever of 1) and 2) is the least. The calculations are based on pension fund performance and CPI as of June 30 in the relevant previous years.

Salaried Plan

Same as the hourly plan except that 5-year annual average returns in excess of 4.5% (or 5% for Unifor Unit 1 members hired after May 1, 2010) are available for consideration in the formula. If the amount available from fund returns in the previous 5 years has not been used to give increases in previous years, the formula also allows for a possible "catch up" amount.

Written Jan 7, 2011
Revised Nov 11, 2024