Retirees

CPP benefits increase by 2.8 percent effective January 2012: Yearly Maximum Pensionable Earnings (YMPE) for 2012 set at $50,100

“The CPP offers an already existing administrative structure and framework to improve retirement benefits for working Canadians at relatively low cost.”

“Canada does not need yet another voluntary tax-assisted retirement savings program. It needs public pensions that provide all Canadians with a basic guarantee of adequate income.”

RRSP system is one of Canada's most expensive social programs, costing the federal and provincial governments over $17 billion in foregone tax revenue

The CBC asks the question "What is it like being poor in Canada?" on a live phone-in show. Call in to have your voice heard.

Dignity Denied 2011 illustrates the flaws in our current system of long-term care and offers common sense solutions for positive change.

Retirees 4 Change will champion issues of retirement security and long-term care as part of NUPGE's All Together Now! campaign.

"Workers are being told to work longer, pay more and receive less," said James Clancy, NUPGE National President. "We stand in solidarity with each and every UNISON member in the fight for decent pensions. Enough is enough."

"This is an opportunity to thank our seniors who have done so much to build our city and our community,” said Trevor Morin, Local 1101 President.

The Pension Protection Act moves pensioners to the front of the line of creditors to be paid out during bankruptcy

Many Canadians living pay cheque to pay cheque and unable to save, faced with the prospect of working longer before retirement.

The percentage of the labour force covered by a pension plan declined, from 34% in 1999 to 33% in 2009.

The CPP Fund's assets reached a record high of $148.2 billion at the end of its fiscal 2010. That surpassed a previous high of $127.7 billion in June 2008, months before the onset of the global financial downturn.

Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) reports cost of elder care could triple in next forty years.

Participation of women in pension plans continues the trend upward which began in 1998.

The evidence clearly demonstrated that the government was required to and did put aside real funds to deal with its pension obligations, along with funds collected from plan members' contributions.

Among retired people with debt, 17 percent owed $100,000 or more.

Main split on pensions comes down to continuing to rely on a failed private sector model, or improving and expanding our public pension system.

In the past 12 months, there has been a significant rise in the number of retirees returning to the workforce because they need the income

Ruling sets a precedent for providing greater benefits to pension plan members in cases of corporate insolvency

Review of pension plans in the broader public sector misses the mark completely for the tens of thousands of workers who have no pension coverage at all.

Small GIS increase to go only to those seniors with less than $2,000 income a year.

QPP contributions will increase while workers who retire before age 65 will have their QPP benefits further reduced

"As a mechanism for addressing the deficiencies in Canada’s retirement income system, PRPPs are greatly inferior to an expanded CPP."

Two thirds cite lack of funds as reason for not making RRSP contribution.

Payments under OAS and GIS will rise 0.5 percent.

Canadians believe they'll work longer than the traditional retirement age of 65, they're less confident about their retirement outlook, and they're concerned about their financial well-being.

Canadians 35-54 years of age are the most likely to have withdrawn money from their RRSP

There's very little evidence these tax cuts will lead to more jobs. In fact, they come with no strings attached so companies that eliminate jobs are actually rewarded - James Clancy, NUPGE national president.

"We brought together an excellent group of union activists for this committee. We are lucky to have them," James Clancy, NUPGE national president

Study highlights concerns raised by NUPGE that big pharmaceutical companies were lobbying governments for proposals that would drive up profits and health care costs.

On January 19, 2011, NSGEU president Joan Jessome sent the following letter to the editor of the Chronicle Herald in response to an article by Dan Leger. It has yet to be printed.

'Rarely in my memory has a government come forward with a policy as blatantly unfair.' - Warren (Smokey) Thomas.

"Conservatives are like fiscal anorexics. They just can't stop obsessing over portion reduction." John Moore, Special to the National Post.

Workers leaving sector in droves because of unstable work environment.

Satirical video called People for Corporate Tax Cuts makes the point that public employees and public programs must not lavish unnecessary billions on corporations.

Province already facing shortage of doctors, nurses and health care practitioners, says medical society.

“The notion that small businesses will join a PRPP because it’s simpler than existing employee-sponsored options is a bit of pipedream.”

Tim Hudak is misleading voters by pretending that an attack on public sector jobs and wages will deal with a financial mess that the financial sector has caused, says James Clancy, NUPGE's national president.

'Could save taxpayers the cost of high management fees associated with the private sector insurance business and make pension coverage more effective and affordable.'

“Alberta simply don’t believe that there should be a public response to what they consider to be a private issue. It’s not a view that the government of Nova Scotia shares.

The percentage of paid workers covered by a pension plan declined, from 41% in 1998 to 38% in 2008.

In a four-part series on aging in the Calgary Herald newspaper, Health Science Association of Alberta (HSAA/NUPGE) member and retiree activist, Louise Yarrow is one of the "retired" worke

38% will work out of financial necessity while 5% are waiting to win a lottery.

'2010 has been an important year for NUPGE and its Components. I’m proud of what we’ve achieved together. But the struggle continues. The labour movement will face many challenges in 2011.'

Finance Minister Jim “Flip Flop” Flaherty backtracks on commitment to enhance Canada Pension Plan; now pushing for a private sector voluntary plan.

'I'm pleased Minister Sheridan believes that its time to increase benefits under the CPP.' - Shelley Ward.

The Gilded Age of the 1920s is back for the super-rich while the middle class treads water or struggles to keep from sliding backward.

Expanding the CPP would ultimately save governments money, by making future retirees less financially dependent.

A $35,000-a-year caregiver in a nursing home doesn’t usually get much news coverage.

'This is a great opportunity to voice your support for Medicare and send a message about the kind of health care system you want!'

Take two minutes to e-mail Prime Minister Stephen Harper demanding that the Canada Health Act be enforced.

'There will be a major human and economic cost if deficits are eliminated before a real recovery has been achieved.' - Andrew Jackson.

"Dwight Duncan is cutting almost $5 billion in corporate taxes in the next three years despite Ontario having one of the lowest tax rates in the industrialized world." - Warren (Smokey) Thomas.

'We're a 130,000 member union and we are also working together with other unions to make sure our message is heard.'

BC Health Coalition calls on province to reverse its directive requiring health authorities to charge fees to patients who need hospital care to recover from illness or injury. 

Alberta government increasing long-term care fees by three per cent. A seniors advocate says the increase is "unconscionable." 

Eye-opening website lets employees see the annual cumulative losses a public sector freeze will mean to their personal purchasing power.

'The Harper government’s priorities are dead wrong.' - NUPGE president James Clancy.

'This poll confirms what we’ve long known.' - BCGEU president Darryl Walker.

Elimination of two-for-one pre-sentencing credits will add 160 days to two years to the costs of keeping federal inmates behind bars.

Brief calls for higher CPP and GIS benefits and a national pension insurance program.

59% of Canadians would be in trouble if their pay was delayed by a week.

Released after 12 months of hearings, workshops and submissions from Alberta groups and citizens.

Quebec also 'lukewarm' to national pension reforms under consideration by Canada's finance ministers.

Employees fighting freeze say money saved in wages would be scooped up by long-term care executives and private shareholders.

'No decisions have been taken yet to reduce any benefit or increase contributions.'

Canadian Health Coalition says ‘affordability’ no longer an excuse for inaction.

Toronto pension lawyer says precedent set by court could affect retirees depending on other financially stressed pension funds across Canada.

Labour organizations gathering at 10 a.m. at Health Resource Centre.

Maximum coverage of $1,000 a month when company pensions fail falls far short of recommended $2,500 level of support.

Municipalities across the province are being urged to support a resolution by Victoria and New Westminster at UBCM meeting in September.

Province negotiates deal after Ontario paves the way with legislated cuts in generic drug prices.

“Expanding the CPP would address the issue of coverage, security of benefits, and low cost of administration – all the key objectives of pension reform.”

'A secure, enjoyable retirement should be the right earned by workers for decades of contributions to one’s community and Canada’s economy.' - James Clancy.

Ottawa (25 November 2009)—Canada’s Old Age Security system needs improvement in order to help ensure the economic security and dignity of Canadians in retirement, says a new report released today by the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives (CCPA).

NUPGE has launched a new program designed to help those who are often overlooked. Contract workers, the self-employed, workers on leave and retirees just to name a few can find themselves on the outside looking in.

Five million Canadians provide care for their loved ones with long-term health problems.

DB plans can deliver the same retirement income at 46% lower cost than DC plans

Survey of 69 employers by AON Consulting Inc.