Please note: the information provided below is based on the information we have as of May 14, 2025.

1. Since my employment with YG will be terminated effective the date of transfer, can I not begin collecting a monthly Federal Public Service Superannuation Act (Federal PSSA) superannuation benefit when I start working for the Yukon Health Authority?

No. In accordance with the provisions of the Federal PSSA and the anticipated Divestiture Regulations which will apply to the Yukon Health Authority transition, a transferred contributor can only commence receipt of a Federal PSSA monthly pension benefit upon termination of employment with the Yukon Health Authority. However, a transferred contributor, if eligible, can exercise an option to receive a lump sum benefit (i.e. a Return of Contributions plus interest (ROC) or a Transfer Value (TV)) at any time within one year subsequent to the date of transfer to the Yukon Health Authority.

2. With respect to the pension plan, if I accept the offer from the Yukon Health Authority, and assuming that I have the appropriate years and age to retire and get full pension, can I also opt to take my pension as my employment with YG is finished?

No. As indicated in response to Question 1, with the existence of anticipated Divestiture Regulations, transferring employees who chose not to transfer their accrued Federal PSSA pension entitlements will not be able to receive a regular monthly PSSA pension benefit until they have ceased employment with the Yukon Health Authority.

3. How does the Yukon Hospital Corporation Pension Plan compare with the Federal Public Service Superannuation Act (Federal PSSA)?

The Public Service Alliance of Canada (PSAC) has prepared a primary provision-by-provision comparative analysis of the Yukon Hospital Corporation Pension Plan and the Federal Public Service Superannuation Act (Federal PSSA), which is available from the Yukon Employees’ Union.

One will note from the comparison chart that some provisions of the Federal PSSA are more generous than the Yukon Hospital Corporation Pension Plan and vice versa. Therefore, determinations on whether to transfer accrued Federal PSSA pensionable service to the Yukon Health Authority Pension Plan will vary according to the circumstances of individual employees.

4. On the effective date of transfer to the Yukon Health Authority, I will have less than 2 years of pensionable service with the Federal PSSA. What are my options with respect to accrued Federal PSSA pension pensionable service to the date of transfer?

You have three options concerning your Federal PSSA pensionable service accrued before the date of transfer to the Yukon Health Authority:

1) Receive a Return of Contributions plus interest upon your date of transfer to the Yukon Health Authority, or

2) Transfer your accrued Federal PSSA pensionable service to the Yukon Health Authority Pension Plan via the anticipated Pension Transfer Agreement, or

3) Retain your accrued pensionable service with the Federal PSSA. Under this option, the pensionable service you accrue under the Yukon Health Authority Pension Plan will be counted for "threshold purposes only" towards your eligibility for pension options under the Federal PSSA

5. As of the effective date of transfer to the YHA, I have more than 2 years of federal pensionable service, I will be less than 50 (55) years of age. What are my options concerning my accrued federal pensionable service under the Federal PSSA?

You have three options concerning your Federal PSSA pensionable service accrued before the date of transfer to the Yukon Health Authority:

1) Opt to receive a “Transfer Value” upon your date of transfer to the Yukon Health Authority, or

2) Transfer your accrued Federal PSSA pensionable service to the Yukon Health Authority Pension Plan via the anticipated Pension Transfer Agreement, or

3) Retain your accrued pensionable service with the Federal PSSA. Under this option, the pensionable service you accrue under the Yukon Health Authority Pension Plan will be counted for "threshold purposes only" towards your eligibility for pension options under the Federal PSSA

6. On the date of transfer to the YHA, I will have more than 2 years of federal pensionable service, and I will be greater than 50 (55) years of age. What are my options concerning my accrued federal pensionable service under the Federal PSSA?

You have two options concerning your Federal PSSA pensionable service accrued before the date of transfer to the Yukon Health Authority:

1) Transfer your accrued Federal PSSA pensionable service to the Yukon Health Authority Pension Plan via the anticipated Pension Transfer Agreement, or

2) Retain your accrued pensionable service with the Federal PSSA. Under this option, the pensionable service you accrue under the Yukon Health Authority Pension Plan will be counted for "threshold purposes only" towards your eligibility for pension options under the Federal PSSA.

7. Long Question: I will be only 3.5 years away from having 30 years towards my pension at the time of transfer

7. I will be only 3.5 years away from having 30 years towards my pension at the time of transfer. Due to my age being under 55, this will cost me a very hefty penalty which will affect me financially for the rest of my life. I have been waiting for a long time to find out if there will be any consideration for my situation, or if it's just going to be "tough luck". How can I protect my financial future? Should I find another government job with a pension plan to transfer into? I need to make a decision soon.

As mentioned in response to Question 6 above, you will have two options concerning your 26.5 years of Federal PSSA pensionable service accrued before the date of transfer to the Yukon Health Authority:

1) Transfer your accrued Federal PSSA pensionable service to the Yukon Health Authority Pension Plan via the anticipated Pension Transfer Agreement, or

2) Retain your accrued pensionable service with the Federal PSSA. Under this option, the pensionable service you accrue under the Yukon Health Authority Pension Plan will be counted for "threshold purposes only" towards your eligibility for pension options under the Federal PSSA.

8. How much time do I have to consider the various options discussed above concerning my federal pensionable service under the Federal PSSA accrued to the date of transfer?

Normally, you will have one year from the date of transfer to the Yukon Health Authority to exercise any of the options discussed above. Should you fail to exercise an option within the one-year time frame, you will have been “deemed” to have chosen to retain your accrued federal pensionable service with the Federal Public Service Superannuation Act (Federal PSSA). In the latter instance, the pensionable service you accrue under the Yukon Health Authority Pension Plan will be counted for "threshold purposes only" towards your eligibility for pension options under the Federal PSSA.

9. If I decide to retain my accrued federal pensionable service with the Federal PSSA, what calculation will be used to determine my Federal PSSA pension benefit once I terminate employment with the Yukon Health Authority?

Special regulations referred to earlier as the Divestiture Regulations should be enacted to provide “pension protection” to the federal pensionable service you have accrued under the Federal Public Service Superannuation Act (Federal PSSA) up to the date of transfer to the Yukon Health Authority. The foregoing measures will apply if you decide NOT to transfer your Federal PSSA pensionable service to the Yukon Health Authority Pension Plan under the anticipated Pension Transfer Agreement (PTA). Basically, under this arrangement, the pensionable service you accrue under the Yukon Health Authority Pension Plan will count for "threshold purposes only" towards your eligibility for pension options under the Federal PSSA.

The following hypothetical example illustrates this “pension protection” feature:

As of the date of transfer, a transferring Group 1 employee will be age 50 and have accrued 25 years of pensionable service under the Federal PSSA. This employee opts NOT to transfer his/her accrued pensionable service under the Federal PSSA to the Yukon Health Authority Pension Plan and decides to terminate his/her employment with the Yukon Health Authority at age 55.

Therefore, this particular employee, upon reaching age 5,5 will have 25 years of pensionable service with the Federal PSSA and 5 years of pensionable service with the Yukon Health Authority Pension Plan. For the "threshold" requirements of the

Federal PSSA, this employee will be entitled to an immediate annuity (i.e. unreduced pension) since he/she will be both age 55 and have 30 years of pensionable service (i.e. 25 years Federal PSSA plus 5 years Yukon Health Authority Pension Plan). However, the actual Federal PSSA pension benefit will only be based on the 25 years of pensionable service (i.e. 2% x 25 years X Highest Average Earnings). Had the special "pension protection" provisions not been in place for the Yukon Health Authority transition, the Federal PSSA benefit of this employee upon reaching age 55 would have been subject to a 25% (i.e. 30 years - 25 years X 5%) actuarial reduction.

The advantages of the "pension protection" provisions in this particular case are illustrated below:

With "pension protection" provisions

Age 55 and 30 years pensionable service (25 years under the Federal PSSA + 5 years under the Yukon Health Authority Pension Plan) = Pension benefit of 2% x 25 years Federal PSSA service x Highest Average Earnings

Without "pension protection" provisions

Age 55 and 25 years pensionable service = Pension benefit of 2% x 25 years of Federal PSSA service x Highest Average Earnings minus an actuarial reduction of 25% (30 years - 25 years X 5% per year).

It should also be noted that, in this particular example, the employee, subsequent to transfer to the Yukon Health Authority, would have also accrued 5 years of pensionable service under the Yukon Health Authority Pension Plan and would be eligible for an additional pension benefit based on the terms of the Yukon Health Authority Pension Plan.

10. Long Question: I will be 45 years of age and have 20 years of accrued pensionable service under the Federal Public Service Superannuation Act

10. As of the date of transfer, I will be 45 years of age and have 20 years of accrued pensionable service under the Federal Public Service Superannuation Act (Federal PSSA). My intention is to retire from the Yukon Health Authority at age 55. If I decide to leave my accrued pensionable service with the Federal PSSA what would be my federal superannuation benefit entitlement?

As per the special “pension protection” regulations discussed previously, at age 55, you will have accrued 30 years of pensionable service (i.e. 20 years under the Federal PSSA plus 10 years under the Yukon Health Authority Pension Plan) for “threshold purposes” of establishing an entitlement to a Federal PSSA superannuation benefit. Consequently, you would qualify for an immediate annuity (i.e. unreduced pension) based on the 20 years of pensionable service to your credit with the Federal PSSA (i.e. 2% x 20 years of pensionable service x Highest Average Earnings).

Also, at age 55, you would have accrued 10 years of pensionable service under the Yukon Health Authority Pension Plan and would be eligible for an additional pension benefit based on the terms of the Yukon Health Authority Pension Plan.

11. Long Question: If I choose to decline the transfer to the Yukon Health Authority, would I be covered under this provision of the Federal PSSA?

11. I am aware that the Federal PSSA contains special provisions for an entitlement to an immediate annuity (i.e. unreduced pension) in cases involving involuntary lay-offs of contributors aged 55 (60) and older who have been employed with the Federal Public Service for at least 10 years. If I choose to decline the transfer to the Yukon Health Authority, would I be covered under this provision of the Federal PSSA?

It is anticipated that all Government of Yukon employees affected as a consequence of the Yukon Health Authority transition are to be offered a position with the Yukon Health Authority. The provisions of the Federal PSSA to which you refer provide discretional authority to departmental deputy heads and other designated officers to waive actuarial reduction factors in cases involving involuntary lay-offs. This discretion will not be exercised in conjunction with the Yukon Health Authority transition as any employee who is subject to termination will have done so at his/her own volition.

12. Long Question: Will the Yukon Health Authority Pension Plan recognize this pensionable service for “threshold” requirements to establish eligibility for Yukon Health Authority Pension Plan pension benefit entitlements?

12. If I opt to retain my accrued federal pensionable service with the Federal PSSA, will the Yukon Health Authority Pension Plan recognize this pensionable service for “threshold” requirements to establish eligibility for Yukon Health Authority Pension Plan pension benefit entitlements?

No. There is no provision in the Yukon Health Authority Pension Plan to recognize federal pensionable service retained with the Federal PSSA for purposes of determining eligibility requirements for pension benefit entitlements.

13. If I opt to retain my accrued federal pensionable service with the Federal PSSA, will indexation apply between the date of transfer and the date I commence receipt of my federal superannuation benefit?

Yes. For your further information, a table of the annual pension adjustment increases since the inception of indexation in the Federal Public Service Superannuation Act (Federal PSSA) in 1970 is available from the PSAC.

14. Long Question: I have noticed, from information available, that the employee contribution rates under the Yukon Health Authority Pension Plan are lower in comparison with the Federal Public Service Superannuation Act

14. I have noticed, from information available, that the employee contribution rates under the Yukon Health Authority Pension Plan are lower in comparison with the Federal Public Service Superannuation Act (Federal PSSA). Does this mean that, if I decide to transfer my accrued Federal PSSA pensionable service to the Yukon Health Authority Pension Plan, I will have excess funds available when my Federal PSSA service is recognized under the Yukon Health Authority Pension Plan?

No. The fact that lower contribution rates are required under the Yukon Health Authority Pension Plan is not indicative of whether there will be excess (or insufficient) funds available from the Federal PSSA for the transfer of your federal pensionable service to the Yukon Health Authority Pension Plan. The primary determinants of whether there will be excess (or insufficient) Federal PSSA funds on transfer of your federal superannuation service will likely be your age, years of pensionable service and the annual salary level of the position to which you are being transferred in comparison with your current position with the Yukon Health Authority.

15. Long Question: Is there any way to determine, in advance of the date of transfer, whether there will be a surplus or deficiency of funds available from the Federal PSSA?

15. Is there any way to determine, in advance of the date of transfer, whether there will be a surplus or deficiency of funds available from the Federal PSSA to have my entire accrued Federal PSSA pensionable service recognized under the Yukon Health Authority Pension Plan?

Unfortunately, the costing of pension transfers is based on sophisticated actuarial calculations, and the results will vary according to individual circumstances, including a transferring employee’s age, years of pensionable service, and the difference in annual salary of the position held with Health Canada and the position offered by the Yukon Health Authority. As discussed previously, the actual costing for individual transferring employees will only be available after commencing employment with the Yukon Health Authority and submitting a request for a pension transfer estimate.

Please note that, for the information of impacted employees before the date of transfer, the Public Service Alliance of Canada (PSAC) will be suggesting to the Government of Yukon the preparation pension transfer "proxies" which would illustrate some "representative examples" of the costings associated with the transfer of federal pensionable service to the Yukon Health Authority Pension Plan. The foregoing exercise was used during the Canada - Ontario Labour Market Development Agreement (LMDA) process in 2006 and was found by transferring employees to be beneficial

16. I am currently having installments for a past service election deducted from my salary. What arrangements are available for payment of the remaining balance of the elective service cost after the date of transfer?

If you are intending to transfer your accrued federal pensionable service to the Yukon Health Authority Pension Plan, it is anticipated that the Pension Transfer Agreement (PTA) between the Government of Canada and the Yukon Health Authority will stipulate that only “paid-up” pensionable service is eligible for transfer.

After ceasing to be a contributor to the Federal Public Service Superannuation Act (Federal PSSA), a transferring employee will receive notification of the balance owing for any prior pensionable service election, and provision is included for payment of all or part of the outstanding balance within 2 months after such notice is given. Possible tax-effective sources for the lump sum payment of the remaining balance of the elective service cost could include a direct transfer from a Registered Retirement Savings Plan (RRSP), severance pay, etc.

Otherwise, if payment is not made within the prescribed 2-month time period, then the transferring employee will only be deemed to have the paid-up portion of pensionable service to his/her credit for purposes of exercising a transfer to the Yukon Health Authority Pension Plan under the anticipated PTA.

If your intention is NOT to transfer your accrued Federal PSSA pensionable service to the Yukon Health Authority Pension Plan, you have the following options:

• Pay the remaining balance with a lump sum payment (including a direct transfer from a Registered Retirement Savings Plan (RRSP), severance pay, etc.
• Arrange with Public Works and Government Services Canada for the remittance of advance regular payments on either a monthly, quarterly or annual basis;
• Postpone payment of the remaining balance until a deferred benefit under the Federal PSSA becomes payable. However, please note that this latter option would entail additional interest charges, and the defaulted installments would be compressed over the remainder of the original payment schedule.

17. Are there any medical requirements for enrollment in the Yukon Health Authority Pension Plan?

No. All full-time transferring employees to the Yukon Health Authority will automatically be enrolled in the Yukon Health Authority Pension Plan.

18. What is meant by pension “vesting”?

Pension “vesting” typically refers to the minimum period of pensionable service required for pension plan contributor to be eligible for a regular monthly lifetime pension benefit.

Under the Federal Public Service Superannuation Act (Federal PSSA), a minimum of 2 years of pensionable service is required in order for a contributor to become “vested”. In the event a contributor terminates employment with less than 2 years of pensionable service, the only entitlement provided under the Federal PSSA is the return of the employee’s own pension contributions plus interest as prescribed by legislation.

The “vesting” period under the Yukon Health Authority Pension Plan is immediate.

19. Are part-time employees eligible to participate in the Yukon Health Authority Pension Plan?

Yes. Under the Yukon Health Authority Pension Plan, part-time employee participation is optional

20. When is the earliest time I can receive my pension transfer estimates under the current Pension Transfer Agreement (PTA)?

Under the anticipated Pension Transfer Agreement (PTA) between the Government of Canada and the Yukon Health Authority, the process for obtaining pension transfer estimates will probably only be initiated once a former Federal Government employee actually becomes an employee of the Yukon Health Authority. In the case of employees transferred under the proposed Yukon Health Authority transition, the earliest date for submission of a pension transfer estimate request (i.e. Appendix A2) would be the actual date of transfer. Please also note that the Government of Yukon and the Public Service Alliance of Canada (PSAC) will be consulting with both the Public Service Pension Center and the Yukon Health Authority to ensure that the pension transfer estimate process is conducted in as efficient and expeditious manner as is reasonably possible.

The experience of federal divestitures in the past is that the Public Service Pension Centre has assigned dedicated resources in anticipation of an influx of pension transfer estimates

21. Under the terms of the anticipated PTA, can I transfer only a portion of my accrued federal superannuation pensionable service to the YHA Pension Plan and retain entitlement to an eventual superannuation benefit payable under Federal PSSA?

21. Under the terms of the anticipated PTA, can I transfer only a portion of my accrued federal superannuation pensionable service to the YHA Pension Plan and retain entitlement to an eventual superannuation benefit payable under Federal PSSA?

No. It is anticipated that the PTA will require that all credited federal superannuation pensionable service be transferred from the Federal PSSA to the Yukon Health Authority Pension Plan subsequent to which the transferred employee will cease to be entitled to any benefit under the Federal PSSA.

22. Long Question: If I opt to retain my accrued federal pensionable service with the...............

22. If I opt to retain my accrued federal pensionable service with the Federal Public Service Superannuation Act (Federal PSSA) and eventually terminate my employment with the Yukon Health Authority and return to the Government of Yukon/Federal Public Service, will I be considered as a “new” employee under the Federal PSSA pursuant to the recent statutory amendments effective January 1st, 2013 which were implemented under Bill C-45 (Budget Implementation Act)?

No. Under this scenario, as you have retained your accrued pensionable service under the Federal PSSA, upon re-employment with the Government of Yukon/Federal Public Service, you would remain subject to the pre-January 1st, 2013 provisions of the Federal PSSA in regards to retirement eligibility requirements and employee contribution rates.

23. Long Question: In the event I opt for a) Return of Contributions, b) Transfer Value or c) transfer my accrued Federal PSSA pensionable...........

23. In the event I opt for a) Return of Contributions, b) Transfer Value or c) transfer my accrued Federal PSSA pensionable service to the Yukon Health Authority Pension Plan via the anticipated Pension Transfer Agreement and eventually terminate my employment with the Yukon Health Authority and return to the Government of Yukon/Federal Public Service, will I be considered as a “new” employee under the Federal PSSA pursuant to the recent statutory amendments effective January 1st, 2013 which were implemented under Bill C-45 (Budget Implementation Act)?

Yes. Should you exercise any of the foregoing options upon transfer to the Yukon Health Authority, upon subsequent re-employment in the Government of Yukon/Federal Public Service, you would be considered a “new” employee as per the provisions of the Federal PSSA. Additional information on pension eligibility requirements and employee contribution rate

2013 “new” employees can be reviewed at the following Treasury Board Secretariat website.

24. Upon my date of transfer to the Yukon Health Authority, will I be allowed to maintain my coverage under Supplementary Death Benefit Plan?

Yes. Any transferring employee with a minimum of two years of continuous employment is allowed to maintain coverage under the Supplementary Death Benefit (SDB) Plan as an “elective participant”. However, this arrangement requires payment of “commercial rate” premiums from participants. An estimate of the commercial rate premium for the SDB Plan can be obtained by contacting the Public Service Pension Centre at 1-800-561-7935.

Also, “elective participants” are required to make arrangements with the Public Service Pension Centre for payment of advance annual installments of the required SDB premiums.

It should also be noted that the Yukon Health Authority will also be providing employees with a life insurance coverage plan