lake with three sisters mountain in the background Canmore Alberta

Your pension, your choice.

$5 Billion – More Money in the Pockets of Albertans

Albertans pay too much into CPP for the benefits they receive. The report estimates that Albertans could save over $5 billion in the first year alone by moving from the CPP to an APP. That money could be used to increase pension benefits for Alberta seniors and paycheques for workers. This could also mean a reduction in costs for Alberta businesses.

There are many different options to combine pension contribution decreases for workers with benefit improvements for seniors in the design of a new APP. This will depend on how that $5 billion in savings is divided between reductions to contribution rates from workers and increases in benefits to seniors.

two seniors holding hands icon blue

Larger Pension Benefits for Alberta Seniors

The $5 billion in savings realized by an Alberta Pension Plan could be used to boost the annual pension benefits for Alberta seniors. That could include a significant increase to each senior’s monthly pension payment, or even a $5,000 - $10,000 bonus payment at retirement.

wallet with month going in icon blue

$1,425/Year – Bigger Paycheques

The report estimates the difference between the rate Alberta workers would pay in Canada Pension Plan premiums and Alberta Pension Plan premiums would save Alberta workers up to $1,425 every year while maintaining the same level of benefits for seniors. That extra take-home pay for Alberta workers could be used to meet the needs and priorities of their families.

shop icon blue

$1,425/Year – Business Savings

If you’re a business owner – small, medium, or large – you already match the Canada Pension Plan premiums paid by your employees.  That means that an Alberta Pension Plan could reduce the premiums businesses pay by up to $1,425 per worker, per year. Businesses could invest that money to buy equipment or hire more employees.

locked lock icon blues

$334 billion in assets –
A more stable pension plan

Along with more money in your pocket, an Alberta Pension Plan would be more stable than the current Canada Pension Plan. According to the report, an APP with an initial asset transfer from the CPP of approximately $334 billion, would have a much bigger pool of assets compared to its expenditures (benefits for seniors) than would the CPP by comparison.

Bottom line: an Alberta Pension Plan could mean greater pension benefit security for Albertans.

canada map icon blue

10 provinces and 3 territories –
Portability across Canada

An Alberta Pension Plan would work much the same way the Quebec Pension Plan works within Canada. The Government of Alberta would work with partners at the CPP and QPP to develop agreements that would allow individuals to move throughout Canada's ten provinces and three territories without disrupting or decreasing their pension benefits.

Alberta shape icon

$60 Billion –
More Alberta, Less Ottawa

For decades, Alberta’s young working population, higher employment rates and higher pensionable earnings have resulted in Alberta workers and businesses contributing approximately $60 billion more into the CPP since inception than has been paid out to Albertans during that same time period.

Moving to an Alberta Pension Plan would end that continued over contribution and free up those savings to benefit Alberta seniors and workers for generations.

couple walking up mountain with clouds in backgroundHappy family of three with toddler, sharing a meal at the dinner tableDowntown Banff street showing shops and mountainssenior couple sitting at top of mountain, smiling and looking forwardLady taping up a packing box for movingAlberta farm fields

Albertans will decide if we change plans

These steps will take place in the coming months, leading to a possible referendum.

We are here
2020 – June
Fair Deal Panel
Recommendation made to the Province by the Fair Deal Panel to develop a comprehensive plan to create an Alberta Pension Plan (APP).
We are here
2021
Report Development
LifeWorks, a national consultants firm recognized as a leader in actuarial and benefit analyses in Canada since 1966, is contracted to develop a report on an APP.
We are here
2023 – Sept
Report Released
The full APP report was shared with Albertans, who provided input through the engagement panel’s public engagement sessions and online survey.
View Full Report
We are here
2024 – Aug
Workbook Submissions
Albertans shared their feedback through a comprehensive workbook. Workbook submissions closed August 28.
We are here
2024
Reviewing Feedback
The submissions to the Alberta Pension Plan Engagement Panel are being reviewed.
We are here
2024 – FALL
Pension Opinion
Alberta's government expects the chief actuary of Canada's opinion on the amount owed to Alberta from the Canada Pension Plan if the province decides to withdraw.
We are here
2025 - 2026
Possible Referendum
If a referendum were held, Albertans would vote on whether or not to change from the CPP to an APP.