Our history,
Our victories
Federal Retirees has a proud 60-year history of advocacy and, thanks to the collective power of our members and supporters, we’ve become a leading force.
Our Recent Achievements
Delivering strong representation for federal retirees on their pension, health and dental benefits and security
- Federal Retirees is the voice of all federal retirees in negotiations on the Public Service Health Care Plan (PSHCP) Partners Committee, the PSHCP Administration Authority, the Pensioners’ Dental Services Plan (PDSP) Board and the Public Service Pension Advisory Committee (PSPAC).
- Our committed volunteers and staff work year-round on Parliament Hill, and with provincial governments and partner organizations, to build relationships and advance the priorities of our members and all Canadian seniors.
- We challenged the government’s changes to Public Service Health Care Plan (PSHCP) premiums that saw most retirees’ contributions increase to 50 per cent from 25 per cent, beginning in April 2015. We gained important savings to protect low-income federal retirees, as well as recognition by the Federal Court of Appeal of retirees’ rights in future PSHCP negotiations.
Standing up for retirement income security
- Thanks to the strength of our membership, our efforts put a check on Bill C-27 — dangerous legislation first introduced in 2016 that would put pension security at risk. Federal Retirees and our partners within the Canadian Coalition for Retirement Security sent 50,000 emails to the federal finance minister and MPs. Our president met more than 100 MPs during his mission to protect promised and earned pensions.
- We’ve successfully lobbied governments in Nova Scotia and Manitoba to abandon plans for target-benefit pension plan conversions, similar to what was proposed in Bill C-27.
Working for veterans’ well-being
- We led meaningful conversations across Canada with the veterans’ community through our Veterans Outreach Initiative. We strengthened partnerships with veteran-focused organizations so that we can all better serve and advocate for veterans, make access to programs simple and clear, make communications more effective and seek equitable care and benefits.
- Our advocacy requests contributed to financial and service improvements for veterans in 2016.
Seeing seniors’ voices recognized in the federal cabinet
- Federal Retirees’ advocacy for a dedicated voice for seniors at the federal cabinet table paved the way for Prime Minister Justin Trudeau to name a seniors minister in July 2018. This cabinet role was retained following the 2019 federal election.
Delivering historic advocacy on behalf of federal retirees and veterans
- We challenged the $30-billion pension surplus grab from the public service, Canadian Armed Forces and RCMP superannuation accounts.
- Our lobbying led the government to increase annually the pensions of our members, retired public servants and their dependents, to keep up with the cost of living.
- In 2001, Federal Retirees’ advocacy efforts led to the creation of a dedicated dental plan — the Pensioners’ Dental Services Plan (PDSP) — for all federal retirees.
- We lobbied to continue survivor benefits for surviving spouses who remarry and to give federal retirees who marry after retirement the right to obtain a survivor pension for their spouses.
- We’ve worked to ensure that the Supplementary Death Benefit improves and increases for federal retirees and veterans.
Our past achievements
Fighting Bill C-27 and Target Benefit Plan conversions
- Nearly 50,000 emails and letters sent to the Finance Minister and Members of Parliament
- Over 75 meetings with MPs, Senators, Ministers, and Senior Government Officials
- Over 100 hours of collaborative planning with the Canadian Coalition of Retirement Security
Putting retiree Phoenix issues on the agenda
- Raising concerns on issues uniquely affecting retirees in the far-reaching Phoenix pay system boondoggle through in-depth survey and analysis
- Discussed in all meetings with MPs, senators, ministers, and senior government officials
Championing a National Seniors Strategy
- Supporting M-106, the motion that calls for the implementation of a strategy, in Parliament
- Making an in-depth presentation at the House of Commons Standing Committee on Human Resources, Skills and Social Development and the Status of Persons with Disabilities
- Attending community consultations and providing important feedback on how to best implement such a strategy in different parts of the country
Calling for the appointment of a Minister for Seniors
- Rolling out a 5-step plan to call on the government to appoint a Minister for Seniors as part of the National Seniors Strategy
- Celebrating a victory for Federal Retirees and all Canadian seniors – in July 2018, a Minister for Seniors was finally added to the cabinet
- Sending thousands of messages to the Minister and to Members of Parliament asking for a National Seniors Strategy to be a top priority
Facilitating meaningful discussion on challenges facing veterans and their families
- 12 town hall meetings hosted across the country as part of our successful Veterans Outreach Initiative
- Engaged with over 500 veterans and their families on the transition process and post-release services, and much needed improvements
- Publishing an in-depth report to amplify the voices and concerns and veterans and their families
- Hosting a day-long Veterans Summit with dozens of political and non-government organization leaders to critically review feedback and develop tangible solutions