Pension Modernization Questions and Answers

Email your questions to our Communications team at GCPMP-PMSSP@tpsgc-pwgsc.gc.ca and watch for your answer on this Web site!

Q. What pension system are you modernizing?

A.

As a common service provider for multiple pension plans for the Government of Canada and its employees, Public Works and Government Services Canada (PWGSC) has different responsibilities dependent on the pension plan. Currently the project is only modernizing the pension system for the administration of the Public Service Pension Plan (PSPP), which is the sole responsibility of PWGSC. The new pension solution is capable of managing multiple pension plans, which provides for the migration of other plans in the future. For example, we expect the Canadian Forces Pension Plan to be implemented on the new pension solution.

Q. Why are you modernizing the pension system?

A.

PWGSC has initiated the GCPMP to replace its approximately 40-year-old systems and business processes with a modern Pension Administration infrastructure. The current systems rely on outdated technology and limit PWGSC's ability to offer broader, more flexible and cost-effective services that compare to industry best practices. The new system and business processes will ensure the sustainability of PWGSC's pension administration, allow PWGSC to provide more client-focused services, and facilitate client access to compensation expertise and accurate information.

Q. With the upcoming new pension system, are there any plans to include the " Members of Parliament Pensioners" who are currently paid through the Regional Pay System?

A.

The project is currently focused on PSSA pension administration, but the GCPMP solution has the capability for multi-plan administration. The administration of other federal government pension plans may be migrated to the new solution once implementation has been completed.

Q. How will the product be rolled out - all at once or in bits and pieces?

A.

The new pension solution will be rolled out in a series of releases over four and a half years. Each release is designed to deliver the system, tools and business processes for a particular group of pension functions such as client services, services to contributors, administration of leave without pay, services to annuitants, and pension fund accounting.

Q. What are the timelines? Are they still on target?

A.

The project is on target, and all the work for preliminary project approval(PPA) has been completed. The timelines can be found on the Schedule portion of our Internet site.

Q. How will we stay on top of new information/technologies? Will there be training?

A.

Extensive briefings and training are being planned for each new release, and new procedures will be written.

Q. What does PMITS represent?

A.

PMITS stands for Product Management and Information Technology Services, and involves the maintenance and development support for pension systems. This includes the Pension Services Directorate, the Compensation System Management and Development Directorate, the Information Technology Services Branch - Application Management Services group, and small areas within the Superannuation, Pension Transition and Client Services Sector (SPTCSS). It also includes project areas for Web and Data Integrity within the Compensation Sector.

Q. What is your overall approach to modernizing the pension system?

A.

Opportunities to renew the systems in support of the pension vision were assessed by PWGSC. It was recommended that modernization was the first step towards the new pension vision. It was confirmed that this would be best achieved by replacing existing systems with a commercial-off-the-shelf ( COTS ) pension product solution in conjunction with business re-engineering. It was also determined that additional COTS products such as Customer Relationship Management (CRM) and workflow would be added to enhance member service and streamline business processes. Imaging could ultimately reduce the paper burden and data warehousing would enhance the planning, analysis and reporting capabilities. This approach included the procurement of the COTS products and, most importantly, the professional services of a systems integrator for the business transformation activities and the implementation of the COTS products.