Forward Regulatory Plan: 2021 to 2023: Amending the Public Service Superannuation Regulations (Optional Survivor Benefit, maximum service accrual for part-time service, medical and evidentiary requirements modernization) (Updated)
Title or working title of regulatory initiative
Amending the Public Service Superannuation Regulations (Optional Survivor Benefit, maximum service accrual for part-time service, medical and evidentiary requirements modernization)
Enabling act(s)
Description
Amendments to the Public Service Superannuation Regulations (PSSR) are necessary as the regulations deal only with an election for the Optional Survivor Benefit (OSB) made by a legally married pensioner. Statutory amendments to expand this OSB election opportunity to common-law relationships were enacted in 2012, but the supporting regulations have not been made. The amendments will also include changes to the treatment of part-time service in calculating the 35-year pensionable service maximum, changes to provisions respecting documenting proof of age and relationships (marriage and common law relationships), and to the various provisions dealing with requirements for medical assessments.
Key objective(s)
To deal with the operational details for an OSB election in a common-law relationship situation.
To modernize and simplify the regulatory requirements to provide proof of age and proof of relationship to align with other government programs.
To amend counting of part-time service in the calculation of the 35 years of pensionable service maximum to account for the pension benefit adjustments related to such service.
To modernize medical assessment requirements to permit greater administrative flexibility and align with comparator plans.
This regulatory initiative is associated with the department’s Regulatory Stock Review Plan: 2021 to 2031.
Regulatory cooperation efforts (domestic and international)
Regulatory cooperation is not required as this initiative is internal to the management of the public service pension plan.
Potential impacts on Canadians, including businesses
There are no expected impacts on Canadians, including businesses as this issue is internal to the management of the public service pension plan.
Consultations
The Public Service Pension Advisory Committee, comprised of employer, employee and retiree representatives, has been consulted on this initiative.
Public consultations are not applicable as this issue is internal to the management of the public service pension plan.
Links to additional information
Departmental contact information
Deborah Elder
Senior Director, Pensions and Benefits Sector
Office of the Chief Human Resources Officer
343-996-8639
Deborah.Elder@tbs-sct.gc.ca
This regulatory initiative was first included in the Forward Regulatory Plan: 2015-2017
For more information
Consult the Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat’s acts and regulations web page for:
- a list of acts and regulations administered by the Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat
- further information on the Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat’s implementation of government-wide regulatory management initiatives
Consult the following for links to the Cabinet Directive on Regulation and supporting policies and guidance, and for information on government-wide regulatory initiatives implemented by departments and agencies across the Government of Canada:
To learn about upcoming or ongoing consultations on proposed federal regulations, visit:
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