Transfers Into MEPP

If you were a member of another registered pension plan before joining MEPP, you may be able to transfer that service into MEPP. MEPP has transfer agreements with a number of Canadian public sector pension plans.

A transfer agreement allows you to transfer previous eligible service from another pension plan into MEPP. You may also be able to purchase prior years of service.

Both of these options impact your pension calculation by increasing your pensionable service, which increases the amount of pension you will receive. This means you may be eligible to retire sooner with an unreduced pension.

We have the information and pension tools you need to get your transfer started, including a Pension Estimator where you can see how transferring service might affect your pension.

Which Plans Can I Transfer From and What Timelines Apply?

In Alberta:

Local Authorities Pension Plan (LAPP) and Public Service Pension Plan (PSPP)

After you join MEPP, we will inform you if you can transfer any service from LAPP or PSPP into MEPP.
If you did not receive your transfer information after joining MEPP, or if you have questions about this process, contact us.

Note: If you have a Combined Pensionable Service (CPS) relationship between MEPP and PSPP, you cannot transfer your service between these plans under a transfer agreement.

Alberta Teachers' Pension Plan and Private School Teachers' Pension Plan

To begin this transfer, you will need to complete the Application to Transfer Pension Entitlements between MEPP and Alberta Teachers' Pension Plans
You must have stopped participating in your former plan on or after Jan 1, 1995.
Your transfer application must be received by us within one year of the date you join MEPP.

Under the National Transfer Agreement: (Pension Plans of Other Provinces Listed Below)

To begin this transfer you will need to complete the Appendix A: Transfer Information Request and Authorization Form under the National Transfer Agreement
Your request to transfer must be received by us within one year of the date you join MEPP.

The National Transfer Agreement covers the following pension plans:

Under the Federal Transfer Agreement

To begin this transfer, you will need to complete the Appendix A2: Request for Transfer Estimate — Federal public sector transfer into MEPP.
Your request to transfer must be received by us within one year of the date you join MEPP.

The Federal Transfer Agreement covers:

Public Service Superannuation Act

Points to Consider Before Transferring

You cannot be an active member in your former plan, but your funds must still be held in that plan.
You must be a current member of MEPP when you apply to transfer other service into MEPP.
Some plans will not allow you transfer funds if you are entitled to an unreduced pension with them; check with your former employer or plan administration to see if this applies to you.
It is a good idea to send the transfer application to both your current and former plan.

Does It Benefit Me to Transfer Service from a Previous Pension Plan into MEPP?

With more pensionable service to your credit under one plan, you could become vested sooner, making you eligible for a lifetime pension.
With increased service, you may be able to retire sooner with an unreduced pension.
Increasing your pensionable service will increase your monthly pension amount.

Is There a Cost to Transfer Service?

Cost to transfer service depends on the previous plan and your unique circumstance.

Pension plans use different benefit formulas. Because of this, the benefit you earned in your previous plan might not match the cost of buying the same amount of service in MEPP.

If your previous plan service costs at least as much as the MEPP benefit, you may not have to pay anything else, and the full amount of service will be credited to MEPP.

If the cost of buying MEPP service is higher than the benefit from your previous plan, this will result in a shortfall. You will receive a portion of the service credit you had originally earned, and you will have the option of buying back the difference.

Paying for this shortfall means you could retire earlier with a larger MEPP pension than if you did not buy the service. If you choose not to purchase the service now but do so later on, the cost could be higher. A purchase like this can also affect your RRSP contribution room due to a Past Service Pension Adjustment (PSPA).

If you leave the plan before 55 years of age and take a lump-sum payment instead of a pension, the shortfall service you purchased will not be included in your commuted value calculation. Instead, you will receive a refund of what you paid for that service plus interest. You will not be entitled to receive a pension in the future if you select this option.

Once we have received your application, we will calculate the cost of transferring your previous service to MEPP. We will then send you an information package with the purchase details, including the cost and timelines so that you can decide whether or not you wish to proceed with the transfer.

What if I Have Service in a Plan that is Not on the List?

If your former plan is not on the list, you may still be able to buy your previously earned service through a process called a buyback.

Learn More About Buying Prior Service

How Do I Get Started with a Transfer?

We have the information and pension tools you need to get your transfer started, including a Pension Estimator where you can see how transferring service might affect your pension. If you do not see the transfer application form you require in this list, contact us by phone or request assistance via Secure Messaging in Your Pension Profile.