MemberConnect invitations coming by mail and email
Our member portal, MemberConnect, has officially launched, and over the next year, we will be gradually inviting members to join MemberConnect, starting with active working members. The gradual rollout will help us monitor and refine the portal so we can better serve you.
No need to call us unless you move, your invitation will be sent directly to you by mail and email.
Pension benefit improvements for service earned as of January 1, 2022
The board of trustees of the IWA–Forest Industry Pension Plan is pleased to announce a 41% increase in the benefit level to $85 per month for service earned after January 1, 2022, and an increase in the annual credited hours threshold to 1800 hours. Combining the benefit level increase together with the change in credited service threshold allows for a higher benefit improvement for members.
The new $85 benefit level will be retroactive to January 1, 2022, for all current active members and retirees who earned credited service in 2022.
These benefit improvements are due to the trustees’ successful implementation of the plan’s long-term investment strategy and vision for the plan.
Through strong governance and prudent management, our trustees are working to provide sustainable benefits to members and beneficiaries well into the future.
We look forward to providing updates about the improvements and will be in contact with members in receipt of these changes over the coming months.
Improvements to LTD benefits effective September 1, 2022
The trustees of the IWA–Forest Industry LTD Plan recently increased the gross monthly long-term disability (LTD) payment for members by $250 (before tax). For most members, this means their gross payment increased from $2,500 to $2,750 per month. This change became effective September 1, 2022.
Members on claim will have the LTD payment increase applied automatically, starting with their September cheque or direct deposit. Members with offsets like WCB awards, CPP Disability, or third-party settlements may not receive any payment if their total offsets exceed their gross payment.
Certificates of existence will soon be arriving by mail for a small group of pensioners. The Plan Office has a legal duty to verify whether a member is living and that their pension benefit is being paid to the correct individual. This process is designed to prevent fraud and error so that every payout goes to the correct recipient. It is important that the Plan Office be notified promptly of the death of any member to avoid having to recover overpayments, and intended estate representatives should be advised of this.
Every July, certificate of existence forms are mailed out. Not all members will receive this form as we have a large number of pensioners. A smaller group of pensioners and beneficiaries is selected each year. We also use these forms to update and confirm the information we have on file. If you receive a form, please complete and return it as soon as possible. If the form is not completed, we must withhold pension payments until it is received.
We're looking forward to connecting with members again! On Sept 6 - 9, we will be heading to Vancouver Island to meet with you in person. Learn about our plans at the Plan Office seminar in Nanaimo or book a one-on-one consultation in Port Alberni or Nanaimo to meet with a pension specialist to find answers to your pension plan questions.​ Please register to reserve your spot for the following locations:
Seminar in Nanaimo: Tue, Sept 6 at 5 pm | REGISTER HERE
One-on-one consultation in Nanaimo: Tue, Sept 6 to Wed, Sept 7 | REGISTER HERE
One-on-one consultation in Port Alberni: Thu, Sept 8 to Fri, Sept 9 | REGISTER HERE
These time-slots book up quickly, so be sure to RSVP right away. We do not accept drop-in appointments, but there will be a cancellation list. See you there!
We are pleased to present the LTD plan annual report for the year ending December 31, 2021. Along with key financial information and member data, read about:
We are proud to present the pension plan annual report for the year ending December 31, 2021.
Along with key financial and member data, read about:
The trustees of the IWA–Forest Industry Pension Plan and the IWA–Forest Industry LTD Plan are pleased to announce the appointment of Mark Guiton as Chief Executive Officer. Mark has been with the Plan Office as General Counsel since 2017, bringing in-depth knowledge about both the pension and LTD plans to his role as CEO. The trustees of both boards look forward to supporting and working with Mark as we move into this next phase for the Plan Office.
We also welcome Brandon Wiebe to his new position as General Counsel. Brandon’s experience as Legal Counsel at the Plan Office, gained over the last two years, will be invaluable during this transition.
We would like to extend our gratitude to outgoing CEO Derrick Johnstone for the significant contributions he made to the operation and progression of the Plan Office over the past nine years. He will be missed, and we wish him all the best in his new role.
To all pensioners:
Your 2021 annual pension benefit statement will be coming in the mail in May. It contains details about your monthly pension, your pension option and any beneficiary coverage you may have. Please read carefully and verify that all your information is accurate and up to date.
To all active and deferred members:
Your 2021 annual pension statement will be coming in the mail in June. It contains details of your pension as of December 31, 2021, as well as your current beneficiary on file. Please review carefully and notify us if there are any errors or changes required. The longer errors go unnoticed, the more difficult they are to correct, and you don't want to risk not receiving credit for hours owed.
Included with all statements is a copy of the Spring/Summer 2022 After Work newsletter. The newsletter contains important information about your pension and LTD plans, retirement webinars, in-person meetings, returning to work when retired and more.
You’re never too young to take steps in planning for your future. So, whether your retirement is coming up soon or is decades away, join us to learn about your pension plan options. This helpful 45-minute information session will cover a variety of topics, such as:
Date: Tues, July 5, 2022
Time: Noon (Pacific Time)
Register today to reserve your spot:
If you are unable to attend, sign up anyway as we will send a link of the recording to everyone who registered. All you need to attend the webinar is a device such as a computer, table or smartphone with internet access and sound.