News

• Pension application deadlines if you plan to retire at the end of this school year

  May 31, 2023

  If you are at least age 55 and retiring in June, in order to receive your first pension payment in July, you must submit a completed pension application with all supporting documents no later than June 15. Completed pension applications received between June 16 and July 31 will be processed for payment in August retroactive to July (In other words, you will receive two payments that month).

  A late application will result in lost income since pensions are not paid retroactively.

  Registering for Online Services is a pre-requisite for anyone who applies for pension. Register for or log in to Online Services to apply for pension and to share your completed application and other supporting documents with TRAF through our secure online platform.

  You may apply for pension up to 12 months before you want to receive your first payment. There is no need to wait to apply for your pension until you have notified your employer. It is best that you notify us of your intent well in advance of notifying your employer, and we recommend you do so at least three months in advance of your retirement date.

  For more information, review Apply for Pension.

   

• May pension change notices for retired members available online

  May 23, 2023

  Pension change notices for May are now available in Online Services. Notices are available online only, but may be printed from your account. This notice will only be added to your account if there has been a change in your net monthly pension payment. To view your notice, register for or log in to your Online Services account and choose “My TRAF Documents.”

   

• Spring 2023 newsletters are available now

  May 2, 2023

  Read the spring 2023 editions of The Link (for active and deferred members) and The Horizon (for retired members). News stories include Account B (Province account) sustainability, 2022 investment results and 2023 cost of living adjustment.

   

• 2022 investment return

  April 28, 2023

  In 2022, the TRAF investment portfolio generated a negative return of -0.42% net of investment expenses, exceeding the benchmark return of -5.04%. For a breakdown of the investment returns, net of expenses, for the total portfolio and each asset class over the one-year, five-year, 10-year and 20-year periods, see Investment Performance.

   

• 2023 cost of living adjustment

  March 24, 2023

  Effective July 1, 2023, TRAF will grant a cost of living adjustment (COLA) of 1.50% to eligible members receiving a TRAF pension.

  To learn more, visit Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA).

   

• Current contact information required for electronic deposit of pension payments

  March 23, 2023

  In order for you to receive electronic deposit of your pension payments, TRAF must have a current mailing address, email and phone number. It is imperative that you keep us fully informed of any changes to your contact information.

  If your mail is returned to TRAF undelivered, we will attempt to contact you by email and by telephone for an address update. If we are unsuccessful, you will no longer be eligible for the electronic deposit of your pension payments. Your monthly pension cheques will be printed and held in our office until contact has been re-established.

  Register for and log in to Online Services and click "Account Profile" to update your information.

   

• Your 2022 T4A is now available

  February 27, 2023

  Your 2022 T4A is now available in your Online Services account. Log in or register today. Paper copies were mailed in mid-February.

   

• Returning to teach or work after retirement

  January 9, 2023

  If you return to teach under contract in a position covered by TRAF while collecting your pension and work more than 120 full days in a school year (including substitute service), your pension will be suspended on the 121^st day and you must again contribute to TRAF. You are required to notify your employer(s) that you are receiving a TRAF pension and you will be required to track the number of days you work and notify your employer(s) and TRAF when that number reaches 120 days. Your employer is also required to notify TRAF in writing when the number of days is expected to reach 120 days.

  The 120-day rule does not apply if you are age 65 or older and have at least 15 years of qualifying service before reaching your 121^st day.

  If you have returned or plan to return to teaching (or any other position covered by TRAF) after retirement, it is important that you understand all of the rules that apply, including both the 120-day rule and the 90-day rule, and the impact they may have on your pension.

  For more information, please refer to the Teaching After Retirement fact sheet. We also encourage you to contact us to discuss your personal situation.

   

• Annual statements now available

  December 1, 2022

  2022 annual statements are now available through Online Services.

  Your annual statement provides important information such as when you are eligible to apply for your pension, projected gross monthly pension estimates, your termination benefit and your pre-retirement survivor’s benefit. It also confirms your beneficiary designation in the event you pass away before your pension begins.

  Log in or register for Online Services to review this important information.

   

• Bill 208 expands number of TRAF Board members to nine

  November 7, 2022

  Bill 208, The Teachers' Pensions Amendment Act, which increases the number of TRAF Board members from seven to nine, received Royal Assent on November 3. One of the new members will be appointed from a list of nominees provided to the Minister of Education and Early Childhood Learning by the Retired Teachers' Association of Manitoba. The other will be a citizen member selected by the Province of Manitoba. Both additional members will be appointed by an Order in Council. We will post an update when the appointments have been made and communicated to us.