Pension Plan for the Members of Parliament as at 31 March 2022 – Highlights

Report type
Members of Parliament

Message from the Chief Actuary

We have prepared the report on the actuarial valuation as at 31 March 2022 to:

  • Determine the state of the Members of Parliament Retiring Allowances (MPRA) account and the Members of Parliament Retirement Compensation Arrangements (MPRCA) account;
  • Set the parliamentarians’ contribution rates for calendar years 2024, 2025 and 2026; and
  • Assist the President of the Treasury Board in making informed decisions regarding the financing of the government’s pension benefit obligation.

The previous statutory actuarial report was prepared as at 31 March 2019 and the next periodic review is scheduled for no later than 31 March 2025. As of 1 January 2025, and to reflect the improved benefits provided under the Canada Pension Plan, the Chief Actuary changed the coordination factor used to determine the member’s contributions and allowances from 0.4% to 0.684%.

Main findings

Main findings. Refer to Main findings text description below.
Main findings - text description
Cost (in % of pensionable payroll)
Calendar year Total current service cost Parliamentarians' contribution ratesTable 1 footnote 1
2024 44.30 22.15
2025 43.60 21.80
2026 43.60 21.80

Table 1 footnotes

Table 1 footnote 1

Upon reaching the maximum pension accrual, members contribute 1% of their pensionable earnings. Members' contributions account for 50% of the total current service cost.

Return to table 1 footnote 1

Key assumptions

Key assumption. Refer to Main findings text description below.
Key assumptions - text description
Ultimate best-estimate economic assumptions
Assumption Current
valuation
Previous
valuation
Level of inflation 2.0% 2.0%
Real increases in remuneration 0.5% 0.6%
Real increases in YMPE and ELTable 1 footnote 2 0.9% 1.0%
Valuation rate 4.0% 4.5%

Table 1 footnotes

Table 2 footnote 2

Earnings Limit (EL) as defined under the Members of Parliament Retiring Allowances Act, based on the applicable coordination factor.

Return to table 2 footnote 2

Demographic assumptions
Assumption Current valuation Previous valuation
Cohort life expectancy at age 65
Male 23.9 23.7
Female 25.3 25.2
Average retirement age 63.9 65.0

Summary of membership data

Summary of membership data. Refer to Main findings text description below.
Summary of membership data - text description
Summary of membership data per group, number, and average age
Group Number Average age
Parliamentarians 428 55.2
Pensioners in pay 593 75.1
Deferred pensioners 44 49.1
Surviving spouses 183 81.1
Surviving children 4 N.A.
Summary of membership data per group and percentage
Group Percentage
Parliamentarians 34%
Pensioners in pay 47%
Deferred pensioners 4%
Survivors 15%