New Position or Change of Position
New position in the public sector
Transfer of the recognized years from a former pension plan to a new plan
If your former employer entered into a transfer agreement with Retraite Québec, the years during which you worked for that employer can be recognized in your new pension plan. The impact of the transfer on your pension depends on the provisions of your former plan and that of your new plan.
Before requesting a transfer, you must consult the list of organizations and plans affected by a transfer agreement and the eligibility requirements and steps to take.
The eligibility requirements vary based on the agreement between Retraite Québec and various organizations. It is therefore best to contact the person responsible for administering your new employer's pension plans as soon as possible after you start working.
Change of position in the public sector
If you change position and remain in the public sector, you will continue contributing to a public-sector pension plan. The information regarding your membership will be transferred to Retraite Québec by your new employer.
Return to the public sector
No refund of your contributions
If you did not receive a refund of your contributions after leaving your position in the public sector, your prior years of service could be recognized in your new pension plan, according to its provisions.
Transfer of your contributions to an LIRA or LIF
You could have your prior years of service recognized if you transferred the amounts accrued to a locked-in retirement account (LIRA) or a life income fund (LIF).
To re-establish your rights, you must have held your new employment for at least three months. You must send the following information to Retraite Québec by mail:
- your name;
- your identification number or your Social Insurance Number;
- the name of the organization you are currently working for;
- the information regarding the transfers carried out into your LIRA or LIF, that is:
- the amounts transferred;
- the interest accrued based on the plan's interest rates established for each period.
If the payable amount exceeded the fiscal limit, you may be required to pay Retraite Québec the amounts refunded directly to you because they could not be transferred to a LIRA or LIF.
Refund of your contributions
If you obtained the refund of your pension plan contributions, you will not be able to have your previous years of service recognized under your current plan.
Membership in the PPMP
To become a member of the Pension Plan of Management Personnel (PPMP), you must meet all the following requirements:
- You must be appointed to or hired for a non-unionized position.
- You cannot hold the position on an acting, temporary or casual basis.
- You must have the required classification for the non-unionized position.
- You must work in that position at least 20% of the full-time schedule of an equivalent position.
You are also a member of the PPMP if you meet all the following requirements:
- You must be hired to temporarily hold a non-unionized position.
- You must hold a non-unionized position on a temporary basis for one of the two following reasons:
- to fill a vacant position on a provisional or interim basis;
- to replace, during his or her absence, a person covered by the PPMP.
- You must hold another position covered by the PPMP simultaneously.
- You must have the required classification for the position held on a temporary basis.
- You must hold that position on a temporary basis for at least 20% of the full-time schedule of an equivalent position.
Qualification period for the PPMP
Qualification period for the PPMP starts on your first day of employment covered by the plan and ends at a time established by a percentage of the time worked for that position.
Therefore, the qualification period is of:
- 24 consecutive months if you hold a non-unionized position at least 40% of the full-time schedule for the same position;
- 48 consecutive months if you hold a non-unionized position at least 20%, but less than 40%, of the full-time schedule for the same position.
During that period, you contribute to the PPMP. However, except in the event of terminal illness or death, the provisions of the Government and Public Employees Retirement Plan (RREGOP) apply.
For more information, based on your employment and your situation, consult the Eligibility section of the publication entitled The PPMP.
Retirees in the public sector
Return to work in the public sector
If you are retired and return to work in the public sector, this may not have any impact on the retirement pension under a public-sector pension plan that you receive. You could continue receiving your pension in addition to your salary.
In most cases, by returning to work in the public sector, you will not be a member of a pension plan. Furthermore, you will keep the rights and benefits you had when you retired. However, there are exceptions for certain plans, according to your age and the type of position held. In certain cases, you must complete the Return to Work of a Retiree as a Member of a Public-Sector Pension Plan form (RSP-202-PRE). Before completing it, please consult the information regarding a return to work in your pension plan's guide.
Return to work in a private organization
If you are retired and return to work in a private organization, it has no impact on the retirement pension under a public-sector pension plan that you receive. Private organizations are not covered by public-sector pension plans.
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