Employer Monthly - February Issue
We’ve heard from many of you that the first quarter of the year has been busy for many reasons. Our team has been partnering with you on your annual reconciliation – through phone calls, e-Correspondence or completing transactions – and as of today, 445 employer groups have completed the process!
Here at OMERS, we’ve also been preparing for the release of our 2020 Annual Report. This past year was challenging – for our members, sponsors, OMERS and you, our employers. You faced new and unpredictable situations and uncertainty while making difficult decisions to help keep communities safe and functioning. Thank you for your leadership. You can find a link to the Annual Report as well as details on our upcoming Annual Meeting below.
In this issue, you’ll find resources on job share administration, updates on e-access, upcoming webinars and our Employer Satisfaction Survey.
OMERS 2020 Annual Report
OMERS 2020 Annual Report is now available. Read about our investment results after a challenging year, our funded status and more. You can also learn more about our 2025 Strategy and how we’re focusing on the long term. We are confident in our strategy and are always making the appropriate changes to better position our platform for the future.
Read the 2020 Annual Report Highlights
OMERS Annual Meeting
To hear more about OMERS 2020 financial results and our plans for the future, join us for our Annual Meeting. The event will be hosted via webcast on April 6 at 9:00 a.m.
Job sharing
In October 2020, the Supreme Court of Canada’s Fraser v. Canada decision dealt with a challenge under the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms related to the RCMP pension plan. OMERS has carefully reviewed the decision and determined that it does not change our approach to job sharing programs.
For OMERS purposes, it is the employment relationship that dictates whether a job sharing arrangement is a period of reduced pay or a change in employment conditions. Once we’re provided with this information, we administer the OMERS Plan accordingly.
We’ve updated job sharing information, which is available in section 23 of the Employer Administration Manual, to help you understand the difference and ensure that you’re reporting accurately and consistently. You can also find answers to frequently asked questions on omers.com.
Coming soon to e-access: Leave period election
Since introducing our early iteration of a new and improved e-access in 2020, we’re continuing to build a system that works for you. The next feature to be introduced at the end of March will be the Leave period election (e-Form 165b). Visit the e-access Information Portal to find training resources or sign up for a webinar:
Monday, March 15 – 1 p.m. to 1:45 p.m.
Wednesday, March 17 – 10 a.m. to 10:45 a.m.
Wednesday, March 24 – 10 a.m. to 10:45 a.m.
With the upcoming release of the e-Form 165b, we’ve made some enhancements to the form that will improve administration, including the following:
More detail will be provided on the form to let members know how their leave election date influences what will (and won’t) form part of their membership record should they purchase the service. It’s critical that member elections are sent promptly to OMERS so that we can update our records.
The form will clearly identify all payment options, including Additional Voluntary Contributions (AVCs).
Additionally, the reporting process in e-access is being improved so that you can report purchases with AVC funds more efficiently.
Helpful hints for the legacy system
Until the development of the new e-access system is complete, certain processes are only available through the legacy system. We know there have been some service interruptions when trying to access that system, so here are some helpful tips to keep in mind:
Legacy e-access is only supported by the Internet Explorer browser.
Please do not bookmark the link.
To access the legacy system, you should manually type the following URL into the address bar: e-access.omers.com
Helpful resources during busy season
When it comes to understanding OMERS administration, there are plenty of ways to access the information you need:
Visit the Annual Reconciliation (e-Form 119) page on our website to find e-Learning modules.
Access our general administration webinars, which provide you with a deeper understanding of OMERS topics and procedures while giving you the opportunity to ask questions of our Education & Training team.
Upcoming webinars (10 a.m. – 11 a.m.)
Leave Period Administration (e-Form 165) – Tuesday, March 2
Member Events (e-Form 143) – Wednesday, March 3
See more webinars and register today!
Sign up now for a two-part workshop that will cover a variety of topics including enrolments, disabilities and member events.
Take the Employer Satisfaction Survey
Hearing your feedback on a regular basis is vital to improving our services. Tell us about a recent interaction you’ve had with OMERS or share suggestions on how we can better work together. Fill out the survey today by clicking the link below – it will only take a few minutes.
Your thoughts are greatly appreciated.
We’re here to help. Contact Employer Services:
Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Phone: +1 416.350.6750
Toll-free: +1 833.884.0389
Email: employerservices@omers.com
Thank you for helping us administer the Plan and deliver a wonderful experience to our members.