Employer Monthly - October Issue
In this issue you’ll find contribution rates for 2020, a link to our new Employer Satisfaction Survey, an important e-access maintenance advisory and much more.
Upcoming e-access maintenance
Please be advised that e-access will be unavailable beginning at 11:59 p.m. EDT on Thursday, October 24, 2019 for an update to our internal systems.
System access will resume the morning of Monday, October 28, 2019 for normal business hours. Thank you for your cooperation.
Further outages are scheduled for the following times:
Friday, November 29, 3:00 p.m. EDT - Saturday, November 30, 8:00 a.m. EDT
Monday, December 9, 4:00 p.m. EDT - Tuesday, December 10, 8:00 a.m. EDT
Reminders will be communicated closer to these dates.
OMERS contribution rates for 2020
As part of ongoing plan governance, OMERS Sponsors Corporation (SC) regularly reviews the Plan to determine whether there is a need for benefit or contribution rate changes based on the Funding Management Strategy (FMS). After reviewing the financial health of the plan, the SC has determined that no changes will be made to the current contribution rates for 2020. Although the Plan remains underfunded, the SC elected not to impose changes under the terms of the FMS, given the short-term improvement in the Plan’s financial health. The SC will continue to regularly monitor the health of the plan to make OMERS a sustainable, affordable and meaningful plan over the long term.
Omers.com will be updated with the 2020 contribution rates once the year's maximum pensionable earnings (YMPE) are announced by the Canada Revenue Agency.
e-Learning requirement for e-access
Effective November 1, 2019, new OMERS administrators will be required to complete the Introduction to OMERS Administration e-Learning module. This is to help ensure that administrators are familiar with the system and avoid errors that could cause problems for both members and employers. Topics include the following:
Reporting responsibilities when administering the OMERS plan
Best practices for administering the OMERS plan
Resources to assist with OMERS administration tasks and responsibilities
Once OMERS receives the Employer contact information/e-access user form – Form 109, a link to the module will be sent via email. This learning module must be completed by new OMERS administrators prior to receiving their e-access log-in credentials.
Employer Satisfaction Survey
To ensure we are providing you with the information and resources you need to continue to support members, we will be launching an Employer Satisfaction Survey. Based on feedback, this voluntary survey will replace the current after-call survey and will give you an opportunity to provide OMERS with input on the services we deliver. Your feedback will help us improve the services and tools we provide and enhance the employer experience. You will have an opportunity to complete this every month.
We appreciate your participation in our survey and the valuable information you provide.
Feedback workshop: e-access
There is still time to register for our e-access feedback workshops. Please join us for a half day workshop where we will explore your needs and wants for our new administration system. Follow the link below to find a location.
E-access Workshops
Annual Reconciliation Workshops
To support the successful completion of your annual reconciliation process, the OMERS Education and Training team has launched a series of workshops to help you learn the latest tips and helpful hints.
Annual Reconciliation Workshops
Employer Administration Workshops
Our in-person Employer Workshops and Webinars will provide you with a deeper understanding of OMERS administration topics and procedures.
Upcoming in-person Employer Workshops:
Kingston – October 31
Toronto – November 13
Click here to register today!
Upcoming Employer Webinars (10:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. EDT)
Member Events (e-Form 143) – Tuesday, October 29
Offering Voluntary Enrolment –
Pension Benefits Act
(PBA) Rules – Thursday, October 31
Contributions, Remittances and the e-Form 105 – Tuesday, November 5
We’re here to help. Call 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
If contacting us by phone, please have your zone number ready.
Thank you for helping us administer the Plan and deliver a wonderful experience to our members.