Member Quarterly Q2 2026
Letter from the Chief Pension Officer
After a seemingly never-ending winter, it feels like spring has finally arrived. As the days get longer and warmer, I hope you’re able to get outside and spend time with your loved ones in this beautiful province of ours.
We have been busy over the past few months modernizing the ways we serve you. In January, we improved the process for purchasing a leave by giving members more choice, more time, more flexibility and more efficiency. Working members can now purchase all or part of their service while they are on leave – and up to two full years after completing a leave. We introduced more payment options and a new online experience in myOMERS, eliminating the need for paper forms. You can read more about it in the article below.
On April 1, OMERS launched an enhanced service purchase experience for members. This new digital process allows members to simply and efficiently initiate both purchases of past service and transfers of previous service from another plan, helping members navigate complex pension decisions with confidence. Read more on this new process below.
I’m also pleased to share that we will be launching another season of The Pension Blueprint this fall! Our fourth season will include conversations with leaders in the pension and retirement industries, exploring how people experience money, retirement and life decisions differently. No matter your age or stage in life, we have an episode for you. If you haven’t had a chance to catch up on our past three seasons, you can do so here.
In April, we held our Annual Meeting for a record number of our members, employers, sponsors and stakeholders. More than 1,700 of you joined us in person or online to hear our 2025 financial results, strategy for the future, how we are serving members throughout their career journey and retirement, and an update on our Climate Action Plan. It was wonderful to see so many of you and hear about what OMERS means to you. If you missed the meeting, a recording is available.
In our Q1 issue, we reported that the Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing had ordered the OMERS Sponsors Corporation to create a plan to wind up its affairs and to implement that plan by March 31, 2026. On March 31, 2026, the Sponsors Corporation ceased formal operations and will fully dissolve on a future date after the Sponsors Council is fully established and operational. OMERS management is working directly with Plan sponsors to engage them in the development of the Council’s initial bylaws, which we expect to have completed by early June. We look forward to supporting the new Council once it is operational.
I am also pleased to advise that, with the unanimous recommendation of the OMERS Administration Corporation (AC) Board, the Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing has reappointed George Cooke as Chair of the OMERS AC Board for a further three-year term, effective April 15, 2026. This decision extends George’s service as the independent chair, ensuring continuity and stability in Board leadership during the governance transition.
Finally, I’m looking forward to visiting with members in various communities across Ontario this year, including in the Greater Toronto Area and Collingwood, alongside OMERS President and Chief Executive Officer Blake Hutcheson. It brings us so much joy to hear about the important work you do in your communities and what the OMERS pension means to you. Until then, I hope you have a safe and enjoyable summer!
Celine Chiovitti
Recording of OMERS Annual Meeting available now
On April 23, we held OMERS Annual Meeting downtown at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre, where OMERS Chief Financial and Strategy Officer Jonathan Simmons shared our 2025 financial results, OMERS President and Chief Executive Officer Blake Hutcheson gave an update on our investments and strategy for the future, OMERS Chief Pension Officer Celine Chiovitti provided an update on pensions and the ways OMERS is modernizing to serve members and, finally, OMERS Chief Legal and Sustainability Officer Michael Kelly spoke about our Climate Action Plan and approach to sustainable investing before opening the floor to questions from those in the room and online.
This year’s event was our largest to date, with more than 1,700 members, employers and sponsors and stakeholders joining us in person and online.
If you weren’t able to attend the Annual Meeting, you can view the recording on omers.com. To learn more about the Plan, visit our member website.
Contribution rate changes starting January 1, 2027
The OMERS Sponsors Corporation (SC) Board reviewed contribution rates in 2024 and approved changes to contribution rates that will take effect on January 1, 2027.
The approved changes will redistribute contributions across member groups and employers, meaning some members and employers may see increases while others may see decreases. Overall, the total contributions to the Plan remain unchanged.
Who the changes apply to
The new rates will apply to every member working for an OMERS employer and contributing to the OMERS Plan on or after January 1, 2027. Working members can expect to see the new rates take effect during the first pay period of 2027.
Generally, normal retirement age (NRA) 60 members will pay more, as well as NRA 65 members whose earnings are above the Year’s Maximum Pensionable Earnings (YMPE). The 2026 YMPE is $74,600.
NRA 65 members whose earnings are below the YMPE will generally have lower contribution rates (this does not apply to NRA 60 members).
These changes do not affect:
Members who retire before 2027
Members who are no longer contributing to OMERS
The calculation of the OMERS defined benefit pension
What does this mean for me?
You and your employer make regular contributions to the Plan in equal amounts. Contribution rates vary based on your normal retirement age (NRA 60 or NRA 65) and how much you earn (i.e., your OMERS contributory earnings).
The estimated impact on member contributions depends on your level of contributory earnings. See an illustration of the approximate impact on members on the Contribution Rates Review webpage.
What are the new contribution rates?
The SC Board approved the following adjusted contribution rates that are effective January 1, 2027:
How can I learn more?
OMERS will ensure that you have clear, timely information about the contribution rate changes throughout the year ahead of the effective date. In each of our quarterly newsletters this year, we will share information focused on pay impact and what these changes mean for you. You can always read more about how your contributions are calculated on our New to the Plan webpage and explore a wide range of information sessions and webinars that will help you understand the Plan.
The Pension Blueprint podcast – Season four coming this fall
We are heading back to the studio to record a brand-new season of The Pension Blueprint! This season, we’re exploring how people experience money, retirement and life decisions differently.
The episodes this season will dive into how to start saving (and the role your pension plays) with personal finance expert Rob Carrick and financial planner Shannon Lee Simmons, how to live your best life at any stage with OMERS Chief Medical Officer, as well as the behavioural science behind your pension with a finance professor at Maastricht University in the Netherlands and the generational shifts that are reshaping public service with CUPE Local 416 and a couple of OMERS employers. OMERS Chief Investment Officer will shed light on how OMERS is investing your money and we will continue to dig deeper into what the future of retirement looks like, particularly for women, with a few fascinating external experts, plus share what we and other pension plans like the New York City Employees’ Retirement System and Nest in the U.K. are learning as we modernize to better serve tomorrow’s members.
Watch for our launch episode this fall featuring OMERS President and CEO Blake Hutcheson as he shares his perspective on long-term decision-making in a changing world.
Check out previous seasons’ episodes on omers.com, Spotify and Apple Podcasts.
New in myOMERS: Purchase past service or transfer a previous pension online
On April 1, we launched a new digital experience in myOMERS to help you grow your OMERS pension by purchasing past service or transferring a previous pension completely online, eliminating the use of paper forms. Here is what you can now do quickly and easily through your myOMERS account:
Start a past service purchase or pension transfer by answering a short questionnaire
Track progress with real-time updates
See how a transfer or purchase may impact your pension
Don’t have an account? Creating one is easy! All you need is your email address or phone number and date of birth.
What to expect from your annual pension statement
Your pension statement is one of the most important pension documents you receive from OMERS. It’s a helpful resource that includes all your important pension details at a glance, which can help you plan more effectively for retirement with clarity and confidence.
If you’re a working or deferred member, statements are distributed between now and the end of June – so some of you may have received yours already – but if not, keep an eye on your inbox or mailbox. As a retired member or survivor, your statement came out at the end of December 2025 with information about inflation protection for your pension in 2026.
Please make sure that your contact information is accurate and up-to-date with us, and that you have a personal email address on record to continue to staying informed about your pension. You can also adjust your communication preferences in myOMERS at any time.
A modernized approach to leave purchases
Did you know that purchasing a leave can help you maximize your income in retirement and may also allow you to retire earlier with an unreduced pension?
Although OMERS has always provided members the opportunity to purchase a leave, in the past, options were more limited and you had to wait until the end of your leave to make your decision. There are now more ways for you to build a better financial future with the new process for how a leave purchase works, which launched in January of 2026.
When purchasing certain leaves, your employer will also continue to match your contributions.
Reminder: What’s new
We’ve introduced changes that make leave purchases more attainable for all working members. This includes:
More choice: You’ll be able to purchase all or part of your leave and have the option to start that process while you’re still on a leave.
More time: You’ll have up to two full calendar years after a leave ends to make a decision about purchasing it and to complete your payments.
More flexibility: You can use your banking and savings accounts to pay by lump sum, a payment plan or a combination of methods.
More efficiency: Take advantage of the new online process through myOMERS to stay informed, save time and automate payments.
Explore your options
Along with our comprehensive member website, you can check out this short digital guide on leaves for a high-level overview or browse the leave purchases FAQ, where you’ll find answers to some of the most common questions from members.
Educational webinars are offered on a monthly basis and the next opportunities coming up that you can attend are June 9 and July 22. View our Information sessions & webinars page for additional dates later this summer and into the fall, once available.
Need more personalized support and guidance? Connect with the Member Experience team for more detailed, one-on-one conversations by phone or through secure messaging via your myOMERS account.
About your pension
Save more for retirement with AVCs
As an OMERS Plan member, you have the exclusive opportunity to save more for retirement by participating in the Additional Voluntary Contributions (AVC) program.
AVCs receive the same net investment returns as the OMERS Plan and are offered on a cost-recovery basis, which means no profit margin is built into the calculation of the fees and expenses. Our investment portfolio is strategically diversified across high-quality assets to help you take advantage of opportunities that will earn returns and support you and other OMERS members for generations to come.
Setting up an AVC account can be done quickly and easily online through myOMERS. Once you have an AVC account, there are two ways to contribute:
Fund transfers: You can make lump-sum transfers during the annual transfer-in window between January 1 and June 30 until the year you turn 70. Fund transfers to your AVC account may come from an RRSP, a locked-in retirement account (LIRA) or other registered retirement vehicles.
Automatic contributions: If you are a working member, you can make automatic contributions via preauthorized debit from your bank account or payroll deductions (if your employer offers this service) to the end of the year you turn 70. Visit our webpage on AVCs to find out your automatic contribution limits. Log in to myOMERS to start, stop or modify your automatic contributions at any time.
To learn more and discover whether AVCs are right for you, attend our upcoming webinar about AVCs on Thursday, June 11 from 12 to 12:30 p.m.
Payments to OMERS can now be made through your bank!
As we continue to modernize your experience, we've now enabled payments to be made to OMERS directly through your Canadian financial institution. You can now use your bank's online bill payment feature to make payments for transactions such as a purchase of past service, Additional Voluntary Contributions (AVCs), shortfalls on your transfer of previous pension to OMERS and more. This provides a secure way to submit payments without mailing a cheque or visiting a branch. Check directly with your bank to see if this option is available.
Stories from the OMERS Community
Check out the OMERS Community page to find news stories from around the OMERS world, including how our employers are making a difference and investments that can lead to a brighter future.
Keep your address up to date in myOMERS
Keeping your address and contact information up to date in myOMERS will ensure you don’t miss important updates from us.
You can easily update your address, phone number and email address through your myOMERS account by logging in, selecting “My Account” from the drop-down menu and then “Profile and Settings.” Make sure you use a personal email address so that you always have access to your account, even after you retire or leave your employer.
Choosing paperless communications from OMERS will allow you to:
Quickly access your pension information online, available 24/7
Reduce paper waste and environmental impact
Keep all your OMERS information safely stored in one place
Download printer-friendly copies if your needs change
If you don’t have a myOMERS account, creating one is easy and only takes a few minutes! All you need is your email address or phone number and date of birth. Register now.
Join CoCreate and help us improve your OMERS experience
CoCreate is our active research community of 9,000+ participants who influence the development of OMERS products and services. By opting in, you’ll have the opportunity to share your ideas and feedback with us through surveys, interviews, workshops and focus groups.
Currently, we are looking to increase our representation of younger member voices! If you are between the ages of 18 and 35, come help us shape new tools and features before they launch.
Participation is voluntary – and while not everyone who signs up will be contacted, if you do decide to join, you'll periodically receive emails from us with invitations to CoCreate research studies. You can change your opt-in choice under myOMERS communication preferences at any time.
To learn more, view FAQs or get in touch, visit the CoCreate page.
Get answers to your pension questions
An OMERS pension is one of your greatest retirement assets and it’s never too early to learn more about it. Our Pension Education & Relationship Management team can answer any questions you may have throughout your pension journey, from hire to retire – and beyond. Register for an upcoming webinar or in-person session on the information sessions and webinars page on our member site.
