President's Message

BPG: the Voice of Bell Pensioners

The Bell Pensioners' Group (BPG) is a volunteer organization of Bell retirees dedicated to the understanding and protection of one of your most important assets: your Bell Canada pension and benefits promise.

We have a membership of over 10,000.  We encourage all Defined Benefit retirees and active employees of the Bell companies to join our organization. 

We were created by Bell pensioners in 1994 as a federally regulated 'not for profit' group, to represent the interests of Bell Canada Defined Benefit Plan members.

BPG is also a founding member of the Canadian Federation of Pensioners (CFP).   CFP was formed in 2005 to bring together retiree groups across Canada for the purpose of addressing Defined Benefit pension plan issues from a pensioner point of view at both the provincial and federal levels of government.

We are fortunate to be retirees of Bell Canada and on the Defined Benefit Plan.  The plan is currently well funded and Bell is on financially solid ground.  We will continue to monitor Bell’s financial situation and to meet with them at least twice a year, but at this point of time, we do not see any apparent risk looming there.

BPG has an excellent plan in place that focuses on responding to, and lobbying for specific changes to legislation, rules and regulations.  If there are any risks for us – it is in this area. 

BPG will continue to respond to government consultations and continue to meet with key government officials.  At this point, we are specifically focusing on:

·         Target Benefit Plans (TBPs)

• Federal Legislation was tabled Oct 21, 2016 to provide the framework for employers to offer TBPs.  Our focus is on ensuring that an individual’s earned Defined Benefit pension cannot be converted to this new type of plan without that individual’s consent.   We will continue our work in this area until the legislation has passed and the associated rules and regulations are final. 

·         Funding rules for Pension Plans

• The Ontario government is considering changes to the funding rules for plans that are regulated at the provincial level that we believe would place those lifetime pensions at a level of risk higher than today.  Although our Bell plan is regulated at the Federal level, we are concerned that if enough provinces go this way, the Federal government will also adopt new funding rules.

·         Bankruptcy Legislation  

• There is a need to improve Federal bankruptcy legislation to provide pensioners more protection in the event of the bankruptcy of their plan sponsor. Currently pensioners are treated as unsecured creditors which, in most bankruptcy cases, leads to a drop in their pensions.  We address this at every opportunity.

BPG hires experts such as actuaries, consultants and lawyers to assist in understanding and properly addressing issues related to pensions and benefits.  

One of our top priorities is keeping our membership informed on pension issues. We share with our members (through meetings, newsletters and our website) information that is of special importance to pensioners, such as the situation of Bell's pension plan, pension reform or tips and advice on benefits.

Our voice is strong but it could be stronger. If you are not already a BPG member, I hope that you will add your voice to the more than 10,000 colleagues who are already members. Please take the time now to fill out the application form and make your voice count. A $20 annual membership fee covers our administrative costs and the actions we may undertake on everyone's behalf.

We look forward to representing our membership and are ready to help with any pension or benefit problems you may have difficulty in resolving on your own.

Warmest regards,

Tony Lepine
President