Sandra's Story
Watch the story of Sandra, who was widowed suddenly with a young family. See how OMERS provided survivor benefits and how Member Experience supported her through this difficult time.
When you lose someone you love and someone who sustains your family there's a feeling of fear.
My name is Sandra. My husband John he was an executive director for the city of Toronto for over 28 years.
We have four children and the children at the time of his death were ranged from each from 13 to 21.
We did everything together. We travelled a lot.
John always found time to teach his kids wonderful skills both about life about how to be handy.
John died suddenly overnight, heart Attack.
I didn't expect it, nobody expected it. I don't remember much after John passed away those first days.
I do remember someone telling me to get in touch with OMERS client services which I did and I do remember that first connection and how relieved and comforted I felt.
John and I got married when I was 22 and he had just started working for the city of Toronto.
We were young we were enjoying life, we never really thought about retirement or savings.
I knew about the OMERS plan through John in the city of Toronto but I never really knew what it would mean for me one day.
Six years later I'm still contacting client services at OMERS. Every time I call client services I'm told don't worry, I'll note it and we'll take care of it.
The OMERS pension and the OMERS client services team combined are my lifeline. I rely on it and because of it I know that everything is going to be just fine.
Social Value of the Plan
The OMERS defined benefit plan isn’t just important to our members. Research confirms that the OMERS Plan generates social and economic value for communities in Ontario, underscoring the importance of preserving OMERS as a defined benefit pension plan.
