As a member of MEPP, you are eligible to receive a pension when you have:
- reached retirement age or you have met the age plus eligibility service requirements; and
- terminated employment with a MEPP employer and have no intention of returning to work with a MEPP employer in any significant capacity; or
- not committed to or discussed returning to work for your current employer after retirement.
At the time of your retirement, there cannot be any arrangement in place for continued employment that would require you to contribute to the Plan.
Employment permitted
The only employment permitted by the Plan, whether it is prearranged or not, is you may train a successor on a short-term basis for your former position.
Employment not permitted
Other than the exceptions listed, you may not engage in prearranged employment after you retire. Cases in which employers and members discuss or make commitments that members will return to work after they retire are of particular concern.
If you return to work
We understand your personal situation may change. For instance, you might apply for a position with a MEPP employer after you retire. If you are a successful applicant, whether you re-join and contribute to the Plan depends on the retirement option you chose when you retired.
If you are receiving a pension from the Plan:
- you may not rejoin and contribute to the Plan; and your employer may not make any contributions on your behalf; and
- you cannot earn any pensionable service on your post-retirement employment. Because you are not earning service, your pension amount cannot increase as a result of your employment after retirement.
If you transferred the value of your MEPP pension out of the Plan when you retired:
- you must rejoin and contribute to the Plan; and
- your employer must make matching contributions on your behalf.
Your options when you terminate from this position will depend on how long you have been employed since returning to work after you retired.
Learn more about Termination Options for General Members.