National

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



Become a member

  • BILL C-228 APPROVED - A VICTORY FOR BELL PENSIONERS

    April 19th, 2023

     Bill C-228 has been passed by the Senate

    Read more ...

  • Travel Insurance is coming!

    April 11th, 2023

    Exclusively for BPG members….

    Read more ...

  • BCE reports 2022 Q4 and full-year results, announces 2023 financial targets

    February 7th, 2023

    5.2% annual dividend increase to $3.87 per share

    Read more ...

  • A Message from the BPG

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  • Good news!

    December 15th, 2022

    C-228 passed 2nd reading in Senate

    Read more ...

  • Your Urgent Action Is Needed!

    December 7th, 2022

    Bill C-228 is now before the Senate. We need your help to ensure it passes the Senate and receives Royal Assent.

    Read more ...

  • Bell Let's Talk starts the new year

    January 13th, 2023

    by committing an additional $10 million for mental health programs

    Read more ...

  • PIC Report

    December 5th, 2022

    The PIC report has been posted online at PIC.

    In addition, BPG has provided highlights on the 2021 Bell Canada pension plan along with a 2022 update will be provided in your Holiday newsletters. Another value add offered by BPG.  If you're not a member, sign up now. 

    Read more ...

  • Cost Of Living Adjustment for 2023 for Bell Canada, Bell Aliant, BCE and Telebec

    November 16th, 2022

    Read more ...

  • Amendments to insolvency legislation would secure DB pensions, say retiree organizations

    October 25th, 2022

    Read more ...

  • Two new reports prepared for the Federal, Provincial and Territorial Ministers Responsible for Seniors Forum

    September 9th, 2022

    We are pleased to let you know that two new reports prepared for the Federal, Provincial and Territorial Ministers Responsible for Seniors Forum are now available online

    Read more ...

  • Do you know the BPG Board of Directors

    June 22nd, 2022

    BPG Board – 2022-2023

    Read more ...

  • Volunteering is so rewarding

    May 30th, 2022

    Share your stories !

    Read more ...

  • Preliminary Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA) for BCE

    October 20th, 2022

    To be confirmed by Bell

    Read more ...

  • CANADIAN PENSIONERS DESERVE PROTECTION

    May 5th, 2022

    URGE YOUR MP TO SUPPORT BILL C-228

    Read more ...

  • BPG Members! Help Us Out...

    March 24th, 2022

    Read more ...

  • Update on Pension Protection Legislation

    March 17th, 2022

    The Canadian Federation of Pensioners has developed a strategy to pressure the government to act

    Read more ...

  • BPG is looking for individuals to serve on the Board of Directors

    March 8th, 2022

    to help protect your pension and to support our members.

    Read more ...

  • Bell Canada Pension Plan 1998 Indexation Update

    February 28th, 2022

    BPG continues to investigate the Bell Canada pension plan 1998 indexation matter and whether any redress is available to pensioners.

    Read more ...

  • Class Action Tax Deductibility Clarification

    February 18th, 2022

    BPG has now obtained professional advice regarding the deductibility of legal expenses incurred by the affected pensioners for the indexation class action pertaining to the year 2017.

    Read more ...

  • Bell ranked once again as Canada's fastest 5G mobile network

    February 3rd, 2022

    Read more ...

  • Bell Let's Talk Day 2022 sets a new record for Canadian mental health with 164,298,820 messages of support

    January 27th, 2022

    Read more ...

  • Bell Let's Talk announces $1M in funding for post-secondary student mental health programs

    January 14th, 2022

    Read more ...

  • COST OF LIVING ADJUSTMENT FOR 2022

    December 17th, 2021

    The Cost of Living Adjustment on Bell Canada pensions should be 2% in 2022 for pensioners under 65 years of age and 2.82% for pensioners 65 years and over - Updated for BCE, Bell Aliant and Télébec

    Read more ...

  • Bell Let's Talk Day

    January 7th, 2022

    The world's biggest conversation about mental health is January 26 

    Read more ...

  • 2022 Pay dates

    January 21st, 2022

    Bell will be sending that information out by the end of January

    Read more ...

  • Just another example of the value of BPG

    November 18th, 2021

    BPG's response to our members' questions on Pension Indexation court approved deductions
    being deductible as expenses

    Read more ...

  • 1998 Indexation Issue

    November 3rd, 2021

    BPG is already aware about the 1998 indexation issue on the Bell Pension Plan 

    Read more ...

  • Bell and The Personal: A partnership that delivers tangible benefits

    October 27th, 2021

    This year, The Personal will be distributing a total of $6.8 million to participants of the Bell home and auto insurance plan

    Read more ...

  • Class Action Update

    October 22nd, 2021

    Bell will be mailing out the personalized retroactive pension indexation adjustment statements from October 22nd to October 25th

    Read more ...

  • BCE reports third quarter 2021 results

    November 3rd, 2021

    Read more ...

  • New Pensioner Representatives on the Bell Pension Information Committee (PIC)

    August 19th, 2021

    Read more ...

  • BCE Q3 2021 results to be announced November 4

    October 14th, 2021

    Read more ...

  • BCE reports second quarter 2021 results

    August 5th, 2021

    Read more ...

  • Bell 5G ranked as the fastest 5G mobile network

    July 21st, 2021

    Read more ...

  • Class Action Update

    July 21st, 2021

    After a hearing held July 9th, the Court approved the implementation plan

    Read more ...

  • Bell partners with Google Cloud

    July 16th, 2021

    to deliver next-generation network experiences for Canadians 

    Read more ...

  • Canadian Pensioners Deserve Protection

    September 3rd, 2021

    Election 2021: Urge the Federal Party Leaders and Your Local Candidates to take the 100% Pension Promise Pledge before September 20th

    Read more ...

  • National Pensioners Federation

    July 20th, 2021

    Summer 2021 Newsletter

    Read more ...

  • The winners of the AGM $100 gift certificates

    June 25th, 2021

    We would really like to thank our partner The Personal

    Read more ...

  • Class Action Update

    May 12th, 2021

    The Notice to all class members (participants to the Bell pension plan) has now been approved by the Court and is in the process of being sent to pensioners

    Read more ...

  • ARE YOU LOOKING FOR AWAY TO HELP OUT BPG? HOW ABOUT VOLUNTEERING?

    January 18th, 2021

    We are looking for a volunteer willing to help us with our internal documents and storage on our repository. 

    Read more ...

  • BCE reports first quarter 2021 results

    April 30th, 2021

    BCE also announces election of Directors

    Read more ...

  • Go Green contest reminder!

    June 2nd, 2021

    Please note that the Go Green with Bell contest ends July 2, 2021

    Read more ...

  • Bell to advance fibre, wireless and rural network rollouts

    February 4th, 2021

    At least $1 billion in accelerated capital investment over the next 2 years.

    Read more ...

  • Update on Class Action

    April 26th, 2021

    The court has scheduled a conference of the parties on April 30th. 

    Read more ...

  • Cost of Living Adjustment for 2021

    November 18th, 2020

    The Cost of Living Adjustment on Bell Canada's pensions should be 1% in 2021.

    Read more ...

  • Update on the Bell Canada Indexation of the Pension Plan Class Action

    January 29th, 2021

    This is the latest information

    Read more ...

  • January 29th, 2021

       

    Now more than ever! Bell Let's Talk Day sets new records. 

    Read more ...

  • BCE reports third quarter 2020 results

    November 5th, 2020

    Click HERE for more information

    Read more ...

  • Virtual AGM held September 15th.

    September 16th, 2020

    See the minutes, all the presentations along with the new Board of Directors. Click on "Read more" below.

    Read more ...

  • Premium for Plan B of the Health Care Program for Dependents

    July 9th, 2020

    Please note that from now on, this premium will be adjusted in January of each year rather than in July. 

    Read more ...

  • Bell connecting Canadians at home for the holidays with free TV programming and no extra usage fees on residential Internet

    December 19th, 2020

    The company announced today it will be waiving residential Internet overage fees until January 4 

    Read more ...

  • Online Claims

    July 9th, 2020

    With the pandemic and its consequences (e.g. mail delay), it is recommended that you submit your Health Care Program claims to ManuLife online.

    Read more ...

  • COVID-19 and our pensions - Update

    May 15th, 2020

    In presenting its 1Q2020 results on May 7, 2020, BCE noted that the solvency ratio for the Bell DB pension plan declined from approximately 101% at the end of 2019 to approximately 100% at the end of March, 2020.

    Read more ...

  • COVID-19 and our pensions

    March 31st, 2020

    Should BPG members be worried about their Bell pensions under current circumstances?  The answer is no.

    Read more ...

  • Update on class action instituted against Bell

    April 24th, 2020

    On February 21, 2020, the appeal court rendered its decision which allowed the appeal and awarded judgment to the class action plaintiffs on behalf of all members of the class.

    Bell had 60 days from the date of the Ontario Court of Appeal's decision to apply for leave to appeal to the Supreme Court of Canada. We understand that Bell has sought an extension to this deadline of an additional 60 days.

    Read more ...

  • Bell Let’s Talk Day - Thank You!

    February 1st, 2020

     

    On Bell Let’s Talk Day, Canadians and people around the world joined in to help create positive change for people living with mental health issues.

    Read more ...

  • Cost of Living Adjustment for 2020

    November 20th, 2019

    The Cost of Living Adjustment on Bell Canada's pensions should be 2% in 2020.

    Read more ...

  • Submission to the Senate about Pension Security

    June 29th, 2019

    What is your BPG  membership fee used for? Here is another example.

    Read more ...

  • 2019 Board Elections

    June 29th, 2019

    Do you know your Board members?

    Read more ...

  • 2018 Financial Statements

    April 25th, 2019

    In readiness for our AGMs (annual general meeting) of the BPG members, please consult the 2018 Financial Statements on the website. We hope to see you at your upcoming AGM.

    Read more ...

  • Cost of Living Adjustment for 2019

    November 23rd, 2018

    The Cost of Living Adjustment on Bell Canada's pensions should be 2% in 2019.

    Read more ...

  • BPG Board Meeting

    November 11th, 2018

    The BPG Board of directors held its bi-annual meeting in Ottawa

    Read more ...

  • Pension Glossary

    September 4th, 2017

    Is there a pension-related term that you aren’t sure about?  Why not consult our Glossary?

    Read more ...

  • Update

    July 11th, 2018

    Class Action Regarding 2017 Pension Indexation

    Read more ...

  • To better understand your pension plan

    April 13th, 2018

    With pension plans so much in the news recently, we thought some of you might have additional questions, so we prepared a short Q&A document.

    Read more ...

  • The BPG Board of directors

    May 8th, 2018

    The BPG Board of directors held its bi-annual meeting in Montreal on April 26th & 27th 2018.

    Read more ...

  • CARP Proposes Federal Minister for Seniors

    June 1st, 2018

    Did you know that the Federal Government does not have a Minister dedicated to Seniors’ issues?

    Read more ...

  • Class action on Bell’s interpretation of the 2017 indexation

    January 18th, 2018

    A Bell pensioner has commenced a class action on behalf of all Bell defined benefit pensioners.

    Read more ...

  • COST OF LIVING ADJUSTMENT FOR 2018

    November 17th, 2017

    The Cost of Living Adjustment on Bell Canada's pensions should be 1% in 2018.

    Read more ...

  • Your Manulife contract numbers have changed

    January 20th, 2016

    January 20, 2016 - Effective January 1, 2016 your Manulife contract numbers have changed. You should have received a new card in the mail

    Read more ...

  • BPG members on the PIC

    August 14th, 2015

    August 12, 2015 - Peter Dilworth, Sue Dawes (substitute), Michel Doyon and Yvan Dutrisac (substitute) are the PIC representatives for 2016-2018.

    Read more ...

  • EVERYTHING YOU WANT TO KNOW ABOUT PENSION PLANS...

    August 13th, 2016

    Every month you receive a payment covering your Bell pension. Have you ever wondered what backs up these payments, and what steps have been taken to make sure the payments keep coming? This article covers some of the basics of the Bell Canada defined benefit pension plan.

    Read more ...

  • THINKING OF JOINING BPG?

    November 27th, 2010

    Read what others have to say.

    Read more ...

  • In Touch Newsletter

    March 18th, 2014

    The In Touch newsletter is published three times a year, in March, June and October. Do you have difficulty receiving it?

    Read more ...

  • Who is Eligible to Join BPG?

    September 20th, 2014

    October 3rd, 2013 - Since June, the Bell Pensioners’ Group includes pensioners from Télébec, Télébec Mobility and BCE as well as active employees from Bell/BCE companies.

    Read more ...

  • Help us limit our postage costs

    May 9th, 2014

    May 9, 2014 - With the price of stamps going up, imagine how much it will cost to send BPG newsletters to thousands of members every year. Subscribe to our electronic distribution list to obtain your newsletters by email.

    Read more ...

  • Follow us on Facebook

    May 9th, 2014

    May 9, 2014 - BPG now has its Facebook page to increase its visibility and, foremost, to make itself known to non-members.

    Read more ...

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