2012-12-19_Supplemental Agenda Packet--Dossier de l'ordre du jour supplémentaireCity of Saint John
Common Council Meeting
Wednesday, December 19, 2012
Location: Council Chamber
Supplemental to Agenda
1.1 Committee of the Whole: Memorandum of Understanding regarding The City of
Saint John Pension Plan
1.4 Committee of the Whole: OMG Benefits Consulting Inc. Agreement
The City of Saint John
Seance du conseil communal
Le mecredi 19 decembre 2012
Lieu: Salle du conseil communal
Ordre du jour supplementaire
1.1 Comite plenier: memorandum d'accord concernant de City of Saint John regime de
retraite
1.2 Comite plenier: accord OMG Benefits Consulting Inc.
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MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING REGARDING
THE CITY OF SAINT JOHN PENSION PLAN
THIS AGREEMENT made the day of December, 2012.
LT UIFXII e V;
SAINT JOHN FIRE FIGHTERS ASSOCIATION, INTERNATIONAL
ASSOCIATION OF FIRE FIGHTERS, LOCAL 771
( "IAFF ")
and
SAINT JOHN POLICE ASSOCIATION
( "SJPA ")
and
CUPE, LOCAL 18, SAINT JOHN CITY OUTSIDE WORKERS
( "CUPE 18 ")
and
CUPE, LOCAL 486
( "CUPE 486 ")
(IAFF, SJPA, CUPE 18 and CUPE 486 are collectively referred to as the
"Unions ")
and
THE CITY OF SAINT JOHN
(the "Employer ")
WHEREAS the City of Saint John Pension Plan (the "City of Saint John Plan ") was
established under The City of Saint John Pension Act, ch. 112, Acts of New Brunswick 1994
(the "City of Saint John Pension Act ");
AND WHEREAS the City of Saint John Pension Act was repealed by An Act to Repeal
the City of Saint John Pension Act, ch. 41, Acts of New Brunswick 2012 (the "Repealing Act ");
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AND WHEREAS under the Repealing Act the pension plan established by the City of
Saint John Pension Act (as amended) (i.e., the City of Saint John Plan) continues in force until it
is amended, replaced or wound up in accordance with the Pension Benefits Act (New
Brunswick);
AND WHEREAS the Pension Benefits Act shall be amended to give the council for the
City of Saint John the power to amend by resolution the pension plan established by the City of
Saint John Pension Act for the purpose of converting the City of Saint John Plan to a shared risk
plan;
AND WHEREAS the City of Saint John Plan is significantly underfunded;
AND WHEREAS on September 15, 2011, the Honourable Blaine Higgs, Minister of
Finance, appointed a Task Force consisting of Pierre - Marcel Desjardins, W. Paul McCrossan and
Susan Rowland to review public sector pension plans by respecting, among other things, the
principles of sustainability, affordability, and secure benefits;
AND WHEREAS the Task Force, in consultation with the Unions, (the bargaining
agents) and the Employer to the City of Saint John Plan, has reviewed the City of Saint John
Plan and has proposed a redesigned pension plan which it recommends be adopted by the Unions
and Employer to this Memorandum of Understanding;
AND WHEREAS the Unions and the Employer have agreed to convert the City of Saint
John Plan in accordance with this Memorandum of Understanding and the enabling legislation;
NOW THEREFORE the Unions and Employer enter into this Memorandum of
Understanding in respect of the full -time and part-time members of the Unions who are now, or
who will become members of the City of Saint John Shared Risk Plan (as defined below) under
the changes set out hereinafter;
ARTICLE I
1.1 The Employer and the Unions will take all such further actions, execute and
deliver such further agreements, instruments and documents in writing and do all such other acts
and things as may be necessary and/or desirable to achieve the conversion of the City of Saint
John Plan to the City of Saint John Shared Risk Plan, including amending the relevant Collective
Agreements (as defined below).
ARTICLE II
2.1 Definitions:
"ancillary benefit" has the same meaning as is set out in the enabling legislation,
and, for greater certainty, also includes future Cost of Living Adjustments
( "COLA");
"base benefits" means, the amount of pension paid or payable to a member at any
given time as described under this Memorandum of Understanding. For greater
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certainty, the amount of pension paid is the amount paid to a retired member or
eligible dependent at the relevant date and the amount of pension payable is the
amount accrued to the credit of an active or deferred member for service rendered
in the past and includes any COLA granted up to the relevant date and payable in
accordance with any vested early retirement provisions at the relevant date;
"Board of Trustees" shall mean the board of trustees for the City of Saint John
Shared Risk Plan, which shall be the plan administrator;
"City of Saint John Plan" means the City of Saint John Pension Plan,
Registration #026920;
"City of Saint John Shared Risk Plan" means the City of Saint John Plan that is
converted to a Shared Risk Plan as at the Conversion Date under the enabling
legislation;
"Claimant" means the spouse or estate of the member, or the member's
beneficiary;
"Collective Agreements" means the following collective agreements covering
employees represented by the bargaining units of the Unions: Collective
Agreement between The City of Saint John, N.B. and the Saint John Fire
Fighters' Association, Local Union No. 771; Working Agreement between The
City of Saint John, N.B. and The Canadian Union of Public Employees, Saint
John City Hall Employees' Local Union No. 486, C.L.C.; Working Agreement
between The Board of Police Commissioners for the City of Saint John and The
Canadian Union of Public Employees, Saint John City Hall Employees' Local
Union No. 486, C.L.C.; Working Agreement between The Saint John Board of
Police Commissioners and The Saint John Police Association; and Working
Agreement between The City of Saint John, N.B. and The Canadian Union of
Public Employees, Local #18 (Outside Workers).
"contribution holidays" means the full or partial reduction of the contributions
normally paid by Employees and the Employer into the Shared Risk Plan where
required under the Income Tax Act, and as defined in the Funding Policy;
"Conversion Date" means January 1, 2013;
"Council" means the Common Council of the Employer;
"enabling legislation" means the Pension Benefits Act (New Brunswick) and the
regulations thereto, as it may be amended from time to time;
"Employees" means the relevant full -time and part-time employees covered by
the Collective Agreements who now are, or who will become members of the City
of Saint John Shared Risk Plan by virtue of their inclusion as full -time and part-
time employees in the bargaining units covered by the Collective Agreements;
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"Funding Policy" means the funding policy for the City of Saint John Shared
Risk Plan established in accordance with the enabling legislation and the
parameters set out in Appendix A;
"Income Tax Act" means the Income Tax Act (Canada) and the regulations
thereto, as it may be amended from time to time;
"member" means a member of the City of Saint John Plan and/or City of Saint
John Shared Risk Plan, as the context requires and, for greater certainty, includes
an Employee;
"totally and permanently disabled" means in relation to a plan member,
suffering from a physical or mental impairment that prevents the member from
engaging in any employment for which the member is reasonably suited by virtue
of the member's education, training or experience and that can be reasonably
expected to last for the remainder of the member's lifetime;
"Shared Risk Plan" means a shared risk plan as defined and described in the
enabling legislation, and shall have all of the characteristics set out in Article III
of this Memorandum of Understanding;
ARTICLE III
3.1 The City of Saint John Plan shall be converted to a Shared Risk Plan which will
have the following characteristics:
Purpose
(a) The purpose of a shared risk plan is to provide secure pension benefits to
members of the plan without an absolute guarantee but with a risk focused
management approach delivering a high degree of certainty that base benefits can
be met in the vast majority of potential future economic scenarios.
(b) The enabling legislation will extinguish all accrued rights to automatic future
COLA adjustments for all members of the City of Saint John Plan and the
automatic benefit from the effect of future salary increases on the current best
average salary formula for all active members of the City of Saint John Plan.
These automatic future adjustments will be replaced by contingent indexing as
allowed under the Funding Policy.
(c) The required funding and risk management framework will be established
pursuant to the enabling legislation mandating that an appropriate allocation be
made within the required contribution formula to accrue additional funds such
that there is a reasonable expectation (not guaranteed) that COLA can be granted.
(d) The required funding and risk management framework will also be designed to
result in a very low probability of base benefits ever being reduced. The Funding
Policy will contain specific steps to recover from unacceptable funding levels that
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will take priority over any reduction of the base benefits. However, in highly
unlikely circumstances, base benefits may need to be reduced and if this occurs,
priority will be given to the recapture of this reduction once funding levels allow,
as specified under the Funding Policy.
Benefits
(e) The base benefit for retired members, eligible dependents in receipt of a pension
and deferred members (which includes, for greater certainty, former members as
defined under the City of Saint John Plan) shall be the amount of pension paid or
payable at the Conversion Date, plus all COLA adjustments as may be granted by
the Board of Trustees from time to time but at no time will include potential
future COLA adjustments.
(f) The base benefit accrual rate for active members:
(i) shall remain unchanged at 2% of salary (including overtime pay) for
periods of eligible service prior to the Conversion Date until a change is
required under the Funding Policy or is agreed to between the Unions and
the Employer;
(ii) shall be 1.8% of salary (excluding overtime pay) for periods of eligible
service on or after the Conversion Date until a change is required under
the Funding Policy or is agreed to between the Unions and the Employer.
(g) With respect to pre- Conversion Date benefits: (i) The normal form of pension on
retirement for a member who does not have a spouse is a life pension. (ii) The
normal form of pension on retirement for a member who has a spouse is a life
pension with a survivor pension equal to 60% of the pension the member was
receiving prior to his/her death.
(h) With respect to post- Conversion Date benefits: (i) The normal form of pension
on retirement for a member who does not have a spouse shall be a life pension.
(ii) The normal form of pension on retirement for a member who has a spouse
shall be a life pension with a survivor pension equal to 60% of the pension the
member was receiving prior to his/her death. Members with a spouse at retirement
will be subject to the minimum survivor benefits and spousal waiver rules in the
enabling legislation. For greater certainty, members are entitled to elect to receive
an actuarially adjusted pension for the member's lifetime and the same pension
thereafter for the lifetime of the member's surviving spouse in lieu of the
foregoing, as contemplated in section 13 of the City of Saint John Plan.
(i) With respect to pre- Conversion Date service, members are entitled to the spouse
and dependant pension payable on death prior to retirement where death occurs as
a result of an accident arising out of or in the course of the member's employment
(subject to section 26 of the City of Saint John Plan). With respect to post -
Conversion Date service, survivors of members are entitled to the termination
value of the member's pension.
(j} With respect to pre- Conversion Date service, members are entitled to the
following death benefits: the surviving spouse of a vested member who dies prior
to retirement is entitled to an annual pension equal to 60 per cent of the annual
pension that would have been payable to the member had the member been
entitled to a normal retirement pension at the time of the member's death. If the
member dies with no spouse (or if such spouse dies) but leaves children surviving
him or her, such children are entitled to a child's pension in accordance with the
provisions of subsections 24(2), (2.1) and (4) of the City of Saint John Plan. If the
member dies with no spouse or children, the provisions of subsection 24(4.1) of
the City of Saint John Plan, which provide for a discretionary dependent pension,
apply. With respect to post - Conversion Date service, survivors of members are
entitled to the termination value of the member's pension.
(k) The minimum benefit set out in section 25 of the City of Saint John Plan shall
continue to apply.
(1) The base benefit for each active member shall be calculated as follows:
(i) for active members with credited service under the City of Saint John Plan
prior to the Conversion Date, the base benefit accrual rate as defined in
3.1(f)(i) above multiplied by the best 3 consecutive year average salary
(including overtime pay) as defined in the City of Saint John Plan at the
Conversion Date times years and fractions thereof of credited service in
the City of Saint John Plan at the Conversion Date, subject to the
maximum set out in section 3.1(m) below; PLUS
(ii) for service on or after the Conversion Date, the base benefit accrual rate in
3.1(f)(ii) times the salary (excluding overtime pay) earned during the
relevant year; provided that the maximum salary (excluding overtime) for
the purposes of this calculation is $120,000 (excluding overtime) in 2012
(such maximum salary shall be indexed every year after 2012 to the rate
used to index the Year's Maximum Pensionable Earnings under the
Canada Pension Plan for the year); PLUS
(iii) all COLA adjustments as may be granted by the Board of Trustees from
time to time, but at no time will include potential future COLA
adjustments.
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(m) For the purposes of paragraph 3.1(1)(i), the base benefit amount determined at the
Conversion Date cannot exceed the amount determined under subsection 27(1) of
the City of Saint John Plan as at the same date.
(n) The eligibility for an immediate pension (early retirement rules) which is also an
ancillary benefit shall be as follows:
(i) for service prior to the Conversion Date, an unreduced pension when the
total of the member's age and pensionable service (which service shall
include service before and after the Conversion Date) equals 851. If a
member is not entitled to an unreduced pension, but has at least 2 years of
service and is within 10 years of normal retirement date (or is retired on
the order of the Council), a reduction of 5% per year applicable for the
period from pension commencement date to the date at which the member
would have reached 85 points had the member continued in employment
(or age 65 if earlier).
(ii) for service on or after the Conversion Date for IAFF and SJPA members,
who are employed in Public Safety Occupations, an unreduced pension at
age 60 with a reduction of 6% per year early for retirements between ages
55 and 60. The normal retirement date for IAFF and SJPA members shall
be age 65.
(iii) for service on or after the Conversion Date for CUPE 18 and CUPE 486
members and any IAFF and SJPA members not covered under (ii) above,
an unreduced pension at age 65 with a reduction of 6% per year early for
retirements between the ages 55 and 65.
(o) Section 14 of the City of Saint John Plan, which provides for an unreduced
pension for members who have attained age 50 and whose employment is
terminated by reason of abolition of the member's position by the Council, shall
not be a benefit included under the City of Saint John Shared Risk Plan.
(p) In the event a member terminates (includes division of pension on marriage
breakdown) from the City of Saint John Shared Risk Plan prior to reaching
eligibility for an immediate pension, the following shall apply:
(i) The current 50% excess contribution rule will be replaced by a 100%
excess contribution rule with respect to all service;
(ii) The transfer value of a member or a Claimant will be the termination
value as determined in accordance with the enabling legislation.
' For example, a 54 year old with 29 years of service at the Conversion Date retiring in one year would get an
unreduced pension on 29 years of service — the pre- Conversion Date service (he or she would have attained Rule of
85 by the day that is one year from the Conversion Date, taking into account post and pre Conversion Date service)
and a reduced pension on 1 year of service because this is post Conversion Date service.
WE
Unless otherwise elected by the member, the amount shall remain in the City of
Saint John Shared Risk Plan until the retirement, death or marriage breakdown of
the member and the member shall be subject to all future changes, including
entitlement to future enhancements, declared by the Board of Trustees.
(q) Members of the IAFF shall be entitled to the disability and death benefits set out
in An Act Respecting The Saint John Firefighters' Association, S.N.B. 2010, c.9.
(r) For members who are totally and permanently disabled and in receipt of an annual
disability pension for life (the "LTD Pension Benefit ") as of the Conversion
Date, the Employer will pay directly such LTD Pension Benefit to each member
in accordance with the terms of the City of Saint John Plan until such member
attains age 65 or ceases to be totally and permanently disabled, if sooner. For
greater certainty, if a member returns to work then subsequently becomes totally
and permanently disabled again, the member will be treated as being totally and
permanently disabled as of the Conversion Date and the Employer shall pay
directly such LTD Pension Benefit to such member in accordance with the terms
of the City of Saint John Plan. As of the Conversion Date the LTD Pension
Benefit under the City of Saint John Plan shall be terminated. Such members who
are totally and permanently disabled as of the Conversion Date shall be reinstated
as active members of the City of Saint John Shared Risk Plan and shall continue
to accrue pensionable service under such plan until the earlier of (i) attaining age
65, (ii) attaining 30 years of pensionable service, (iii) the date upon which the
member reaches the maximum pension under subsection 27(1) of the City of Saint
John Plan, or (iv) the date the member ceases to be totally and permanently
disabled. Such members shall not be required to make contributions to the City of
Saint John Shared Risk Plan during such period. With respect to accrued benefits
under the City of Saint John Plan up to the Conversion Date, such members shall
be deemed to have accrued pensionable service under the City of Saint John Plan
from the time the member became totally and permanently disabled up to the
Conversion Date (as if they had contributed to that date while disabled). For
greater certainty, such pensionable service shall be pre- Conversion Date service.
If such member remains totally and permanently disabled until age 65, the salary
used in the calculation of such member's pension shall be the current salary
earned by other Employees covered under the classification in which such
member was covered before he or she became totally and permanently disabled or
its equivalent.
(s) Members who become totally and permanently disabled on or after the
Conversion Date shall be entitled to continue to accrue pensionable service under
the City of Saint John Shared Risk Plan and shall not be required to make
contributions to the City of Saint John Shared Risk Plan as long as the member
continues to be totally and permanently disabled.
(t} The Employer shall obtain long term disability insurance for all its Employees
effective as of the Conversion Date. Such long term disability insurance must be
IM
covered under an insured policy with a life insurance company on such terms as
the Employer and Unions agree upon.
Fundin and Risk Mana ement
(u) The Employer (on its own behalf and on behalf of the Employees) will remit
monthly contributions to the Board of Trustees of the City of Saint John Shared
Risk Plan as is required by the Board of Trustees from time to time. Initially,
subject to the Income Tax Act, the contributions required shall be 9% of covered
payroll (excluding overtime) from CUPE 18 and CUPE 486 Employees and 12%
of covered payroll (excluding overtime) from IAFF and SJPA Employees and
thereafter as may be required from time to time by the Board of Trustees subject
to the triggering mechanism and limitations imposed by the Funding Policy.
Initially, the contributions required from the Employer shall be 11.4% of covered
payroll (excluding overtime) on behalf of CUPE 18 and CUPE 486 Employees
and 15.2% of covered payroll (excluding overtime) on behalf of IAFF and SJPA
Employees, representing an average contribution rate of 13.0% of total covered
payroll (excluding overtime) and thereafter as may be required from time to time
by the Board of Trustees subject to the triggering mechanism and limitations
imposed by the Funding Policy. For greater certainty, Employees who were IAFF
or SJPA members employed in Public Safety Occupations before accepting non -
unionized positions may elect the Employer and Employee contributions
described in 4.1(g) below. Commencing April 1, 2013, the Employer shall also
be required to make temporary contributions of 17% of covered payroll
(excluding overtime) that will cease in 15 years or when the plan achieves a
minimum funding level of 150% of liabilities using a 15 year open group method,
if earlier, provided that under no circumstances shall such temporary
contributions cease before April 1, 2023, subject to the Income Tax Act. In the
event that the Income Tax Act requires the cessation of such temporary
contributions prior to the expiry of the 10 year period, once such contributions are
again permissible under the Income Tax Act, they shall re- commence until an
aggregate 10 years of such temporary contributions have been made. For greater
certainty, covered payroll (excluding overtime) for purposes of the temporary
contributions shall be in respect of all members of the City of Saint John Shared
Risk Plan including non -union members referred to in paragraph 4.1(g). The
Employer, in its sole discretion, shall be allowed to contribute temporary
contributions in advance. Such advanced temporary contributions shall be
credited with the net fund rate of return, and shall be used to satisfy the Employer
requirement to make future temporary contributions when they become due,
subject to the enabling legislation and the Income Tax Act.
(v) Contributions will be defined at the inception of the City of Saint John Shared
Risk Plan to provide the desired security levels for base and ancillary benefits. As
such, the standards established by the Task Force and the enabling legislation are
such that the required contributions:
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(i) Must result in at least a 97.5% probability that base benefits will not be
reduced over the 20 year projection period;
(ii) Must result in total expected average COLA adjustments of not less in
total than 75% of the Consumer Price Index (CPI) on active member
benefits plus 75% of the indexing that would have been provided to
pensioners' pensions had the plan not been converted;
(iii) Must be sufficient to meet the target funding level established at inception
of the City of Saint John Shared Risk Plan over a 15 year open group
method;
(iv) Must not be increased automatically by more than allowed under the
Funding Policy; and
(v) Subject to paragraph 3.1(w) below, must not be automatically decreased
by more than allowed under the Funding Policy.
(w) Contribution holidays will only be permitted if required under the Income Tax
Act, will apply to both Employees and the Employer equally and will only be
applied in the manner allowed under the Funding Policy.
(x) A Funding Policy must also be established in accordance to the parameters
accepted by the Unions and Employer (attached hereto as Appendix A) to provide
the rules that shall be followed for determining both the timing and level of
contribution rates, the level of COLA that may be allowed depending on the
financial position of the plan and the limits under the Income Tax Act, the level of
ancillary benefits. the funding deficit recovery plan and reductions in base
benefits and the funding excess utilization plan, among the key features. The
Funding Policy must be specifically adopted by the Unions and the Employer.
(y) The Funding Policy shall at a minimum contain:
(i) Definition of the key terms used in the Funding Policy.
(ii) A clear statement of the funding goals. Such funding goals shall meet or
exceed the minimum set out in the legislation.
(iii) A description of the cost sharing between the Employees and Employer.
(iv) A description of the required contributions and changes allowed under
what conditions. Such changes in contributions shall be at the sole
discretion of the Trustees and shall be implemented when required and in
the amounts allowed by the Funding Policy.
(v) A clear statement as to responsibility for plan expenses. For the City of
Saint John Shared Risk Plan, all expenses are paid by the plan unless
otherwise agreed.
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(vi) A deficit recovery plan that shall contain both the priority order and the
level of changes allowed. The deficit recovery plan shall be such that
reduction of base benefits would occur as a last step in the deficit recovery
plan.
(vii) Funding excess rules that specify at what funding level excess funds can
be used for improvement of benefits and how much of the excess can be
allocated for that purpose at each of the annual actuarial valuation of the
plan.
(viii) A description of the financial measurement basis adopted by the plan
Governance
(z) A Board of Trustees comprised of 8 trustees will administer the City of Saint John
Shared Risk Plan. Four trustees shall be appointed by the Mayor and City
Council of the Employer. The other four trustees shall be appointed by the
Unions as follows: CUPE 18 shall appoint one trustee, CUPE 486 shall appoint
one trustee, SJPA shall appoint one trustee and IAFF shall appoint one trustee.
The Board of Trustees must be established by February 1, 2013. In the meantime,
the current City of Saint John Plan board of trustees (known as the Pension
Board) shall assume the responsibility of the Board of Trustees. At the first
meeting of the Board of Trustees, the Board of Trustees shall unanimously select
a person who shall be called upon to cast the deciding vote in the event that the
Board of Trustees is deadlocked. Such person shall not be a member of the Board
of Trustees.
(aa) After the Conversion Date, the Employer will have no financial obligations or
responsibilities for the City of Saint John Shared Risk Plan save and except for
the obligation to make contributions to it as per the terms of this Memorandum of
Understanding, the Funding Policy, and any past contributions due for the period
prior to the Conversion Date.
(bb) Morneau Shepell shall be the interim actuaries for the City of Saint John Shared
Risk Plan. The Board of Trustees once constituted shall determine the actuaries
for the City of Saint John Shared Risk Plan as soon as practicable.
(cc) The Board of Trustees shall be responsible for:
(i) All measurements and reporting required by the enabling legislation
including regular actuarial valuations and stochastic modelling of the
assets and the liabilities of the City of Saint John Shared Risk Plan;
(ii) Establishing an investment policy subject to annual review for the purpose
of ensuring that the desired security for both the base benefits and the
ancillary benefits that are expected to be achieved;
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(iii) Administering the plan in accordance with the Funding Policy and, for
greater clarity, this includes the power to increase or decrease
contributions and benefits in accordance with the Funding Policy; and
(iv) All other requirements of an administrator under the enabling legislation.
ARTICLE IV
CONVERSION DETAILS
4.1 The following items describe the key principles of the proposed conversion:
(a) The Shared Risk Plan will be effective from and after the Conversion Date. All
conversion benefit calculations will be made as of that date without regard to any
administrative changes required to effect the conversion.
(b) The City of Saint John Shared Risk Plan will be subject to the enabling legislation
and the Income Tax Act.
(c) Pursuant to subsection 100.52(4) of the enabling legislation, the administrator of
the City of Saint John Plan shall transfer all of the assets of the plan to the City of
Saint John Shared Risk Plan on the Conversion Date.
(d) The Unions confirm that they do not require membership ratification in order to
enter into this Memorandum of Understanding or any subsequent agreement
concerning the re- design of the City of Saint John Plan.
(e) This Memorandum of Understanding does not affect the terms and conditions of
employment established through the collective bargaining process negotiated
from time to time between the Unions and the Employer, other than as required to
convert the City of Saint John Plan to the City of Saint John Shared Risk Plan.
(f) Conditions favourable to City of Saint John Plan members not expressly or by
necessary implication set out in this Memorandum of Understanding are to be
preserved in the City of Saint John Shared Risk Plan.
(g) Notwithstanding any other provision of this Memorandum of Understanding, the
benefits for employees (full time and part time) of the City of Saint John who are
not members of any of the Unions, shall be subject to the terms set out in this
Memorandum of Understanding. For greater certainty, such employees shall be
required to contribute 9% of covered payroll (excluding overtime) and the
Employer shall be required to contribute 11.4% of covered payroll (excluding
overtime) on behalf of such employees. In addition, where benefits herein are
distinguished between (i) CUPE 18 and CUPE 486 members, and (ii) IAFF and
SJPA members, such employees shall be entitled to benefits on the same basis as
the CUPE 18 and CUPE 486 members. However, any such employees who were
IAFF members or SJPA members in Public Safety Occupations before accepting
a non union position may elect to contribute 12% of covered payroll (excluding
overtime) (and the Employer will contribute 15.2% of covered payroll (excluding
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overtime)) and receive early retirement benefits on the same basis as the IAFF
and SJPA members in Public Safety Occupations.
(h) Prior to the Conversion Date, the Employer shall pay any outstanding
contributions receivable to the City of Saint John Plan by the Employer, including
any unpaid required special payments and employer current service costs up to the
Conversion Date.
{i) Reciprocal transfer agreements in effect as at the Conversion Date shall be
suspended as of the Conversion Date. The Board of Trustees shall have the
power to enter into reciprocal agreements with the sponsors of other pension plans
from time to time. Such agreements may provide for the transfer of funds in
respect of an Employee who transfers from one pension plan to the other and may
also provide for the transfer of some or all, of the Employee's credited service.
(j) Prior to the Conversion Date, Employees may purchase service (including past
service, refunded service, service in respect of periods of leaves of absence or
other leaves) under the terms of the City of Saint John Plan. On and after the
Conversion Date, purchases of service (including purchases of past service,
refunded service and service in respect of leaves of absence or other leaves) shall
be suspended. The Board of Trustees shall have the power to determine rules
regarding purchases of service under the City of Saint John Shared Risk Plan,
which rules must be based on the principles underlying the City of Saint John
Shared Risk Plan. Initial rules regarding purchases of service must be adopted by
the Board of Trustees by no later than one year from the Conversion Date.
ARTICLE V
GENERAL
5.1 Counterparts
This Memorandum of Understanding may be executed in any number of counterparts
(including by way of facsimile) and all of such counterparts taken together will be deemed to
constitute one and the same instrument.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, each of the signatories hereto has caused this Memorandum
of Understanding to be signed by its respective duly authorized officers or representatives
as of the date first above written.
WITNESS:
Name:
WITNESS:
Name:
WITNESS:
Name:
THE CITY OF SAINT JOHN
Per:
Name:
Title:
SAINT JOHN FIRE FIGHTERS
ASSOCIATION, INTERNATIONAL
ASSOCIATION OF FIRE FIGHTERS,
LOCAL 771
Per:
Name: Paul Stackhouse
Title: President
SAINT JOHN POLICE ASSOCIATION
Per:
Name: Jamie Hachey
Title: President
CUPE LOCAL 18, SAINT JOHN CITY
OUTSIDE WORKERS
Per:
Name: Michael Meahan
Title: President
WITNESS:
CUPE, LOCAL 486
Per:
Name:
Name: Paul Johnson
Title: President
Appendix A — Parameters Used under Risk Management Framework
The risk management framework tests conducted on the City of Saint John Shared Risk Plan
were carried out using the following assumptions and parameters. Any change to these
parameters will change the results of the tests and the required contribution rates to meet the
funding goals required by the enabling legislation. The adopted Funding Policy shall adhere to
these parameters unless changes are agreed to by the Unions and Employer.
Discount rate: 4.5% per annum with future discount rates to be determined
consistent the objectives of the plan
Mortality basis: UP -94 Generational Table using a projection scale reflecting the
most recent life expectancy improvement data. In the future, this
assumption will be changed as may be required to reflect latest
available information on life expectancy.
Other assumptions: Current valuation assumptions except that retirement pattern
assumptions were adjusted to allow for the anticipated effect of the
retirement rules considered in the costing.
Retirement rules: Unreduced at age 60 for IAFF and SJPA members with a reduction
of 6% per year early, only applicable to service on or after the
Conversion Date. Unreduced at age 65 for CUPE 18 and CUPE
486 members with a reduction of 6% per year early, only
applicable to service on or after the Conversion Date.
Funding level: Measured using the 15 year open group method. Valuation assets
equal to the market value of assets plus the present value of excess
contributions over the normal cost for base and ancillary benefits
other than potential future COLA divided by the total liabilities,
both at the relevant valuation date.
Initial contributions: The level of initial contributions is set at 9% of covered payroll
(excluding overtime) for CUPE 18 and CUPE 486 Employees,
12% of covered payroll (excluding overtime) for IAFF and SJPA
Employees and Employer contributions shall be 11.4% of covered
payroll (excluding overtime) on behalf of CUPE 18 and CUPE 486
Employees and 15.2% of covered payroll (excluding overtime) on
behalf of IAFF and SJPA Employees, representing an average
Employer contribution rate of 13.0% of total covered payroll
(excluding overtime). A different retirement rule or change to other
parameters would lead to a different contribution level.
Temporary Contributions: Commencing April 1, 2013, the Employer shall make temporary
contributions of 17% of covered payroll (excluding overtime) that
will cease in 15 years or when the plan achieves a minimum
funding level of 150% of liabilities using a 15 year open group
method, if earlier, provided that under no circumstances shall such
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temporary contributions cease before April 1, 2023, subject to the
Income Tax Act. In the event that the Income Tax Act requires the
cessation of such temporary contributions prior to the expiry of the
10 year period, once such contributions are again permissible
under the Income Tax Act, they shall re- commence until an
aggregate 10 years of such temporary contributions have been
made. The Employer, in its sole discretion, shall be allowed to
contribute temporary contributions in advance. Such advanced
temporary contributions shall be credited with the net fund rate of
return, and shall be used to satisfy the Employer requirement to
make future temporary contributions when they become due,
subject to the enabling legislation and the Income Tax Act.
Contribution increases: Initial contribution rates are subject to an increase should two
future valuations in succession reveal a funding level of less than
100% (with such funding level including the present value of 15
years of excess contributions, but excluding any such increase).
Should this occur, Employee initial contribution rates will be
increased by 25 %, with this increase being capped at 2.75% of
covered payroll (excluding overtime). Any such increase will be
100% matched by the Employer. Any such increase will be
eliminated once a future valuation reveals a funding level greater
than 105% (with such funding level including the present value of
15 years of excess contributions, excluding any such contribution
increase).
Contribution decreases: Subject to the priorities established in the funding excess
utilization plan in the Funding Policy (discussed below), initial
contribution rates are subject to a decrease should a future
valuation reveal a funding level of 150% or over (with such
funding level including the present value of 15 years of excess
contribution, but excluding any such decrease). Should this occur,
Employee initial contribution rates will be decreased by 1.5% of
covered payroll (excluding overtime). Any such decrease will also
apply to the Employer initial contribution rates. Any such
decrease will be eliminated once a future valuation reveals a
funding level of less than 140% (with such funding level including
the present value of 15 years of excess contributions, excluding
any such decrease).
COLA Annual allocation of funding excess for purposes of granting
COLA is 1/50' of the excess funds that make up the difference
between the open group funding level at the valuation date to a
maximum of 140% and 105 %, provided there are no contribution
increases in effect. Funding excesses above 140% would first be
used to recapture any COLA not previously granted up to the
Income Tax Act limits in a manner that, to the extent practical,
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gives priority to recapturing missed COLA in the order in which it
was missed. COLA applies to all members in equal proportion
regardless of status at the date COLA is granted.
Target Asset Allocation: Initially, 50% Fixed Income, 30% Equity, 10% Real Estate and
10% Infrastructure.
Deficit recovery plan: Based on the following steps applied in succession until funding
goals are met:
(1) Increase contributions as allowed under the Funding
Policy;
(2) Reduce base benefit accrual rate for future service after the
date of implementation of the deficit recovery plan by not
more than 5 %;
(3) Reduce base benefits on a proportionate basis for all
members regardless of membership status for both past and
future service in equal proportions.
If steps (2) and (3) are implemented, then priority must be given to
reversing these changes in reverse order of application before any
future COLA is granted.
Excess Utilization plan: After the priorities set out in the enabling legislation, the first
priority shall be COLA on career average and pension benefits for
current year. The second priority shall be COLA on career average
and pension benefits for any past years that were missed. The third
priority shall be improvements in ancillary benefits. The Unions,
in their sole discretion, may determine the priorities of ancillary
benefit improvements to include in the Funding Policy up to those
that are comparable to the ancillary benefits under the City of Saint
John Plan. In addition, the Unions may include in the Funding
Policy a reserve for future COLA for up to 10 years as permitted
under the enabling legislation. As a fourth priority, potential
contribution rate decreases for both Employees and the Employer
based on the following:
• Contribution rates may decrease only if a valuation reveals
a funding ratio of 150% or greater;
• If this occurs, Employee contribution rates will be
decreased by 1.5% of pay;
• Any such decrease will be 100% matched by the Employer
and shall reduce first the Employer's temporary
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contribution rate if temporary contributions are still in
effect at the time of the decrease; and
• Any such contribution rate decreases will be eliminated
once a future valuation reveals a funding ratio of less than
140 %.
/6146841
AGREEMENT
This Agreement made in duplicate copies this _ day of December, 2012.
BY AND BETWEEN: THE CITY OF SAINT JOHN, having its City
Hall at 15 Market Square, Saint John, New
Brunswick, a body corporate by Royal Charter,
confirmed and amended by Acts of the Legislative
Assembly of the Province of New Brunswick,
(hereinafter called the "City ")
OF THE FIRST PART
/:Rll
OMG BENEFITS CONSULTING INC., a body
corporate duly incorporated under the laws of the
province of New Brunswick having its registered
office at 860 Main Street, Suite 300, Moncton, New
Brunswick, (hereinafter called "OMG ")
OF THE SECOND PART
WHEREAS the City requires Long Term Disability ( "LTD ") coverage for its employees;
AND WHEREAS the Common Council of the City at is meeting of December 17th 2012
resolved to engage OMG to assist the City with a Request for Proposals ( "RFP ") process that
will be engaged for the purpose of obtaining LTD coverage for its employees, certain particulars
of which are set out below;
AND WHEREAS OMG has advised the City that the aforementioned RFP process will
require the use of certain personal information, as that term is defined in the Right to Information
and Protection of Privacy Act of the Province of New Brunswick, Chapter R -10.6, S.N.B. 2009
as amended, (the "RTIPPA ") respecting City employees;
AND WHEREAS OMG has further advised the City that the aforesaid personal
information must be provided to the firms that choose to respond to the RFP;
AND WHEREAS the City has obligations arising under the RTIPPA which obligations
are sought to be reflected in these presents;
NOW THEREFORE THIS AGREEMENT WITNESSES that the parties for and in
consideration of the mutual covenants and agreements hereinafter contained, and for other good
and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which is hereby acknowledged, the
parties covenant and agree as follows:
1. That any and all information provided by the City to OMG which information constitutes
personal information as that term is defined and used in the RTIPPA (hereinafter "PI "), shall
a. Subject to subsections b. and c. hereof, hold, secure and preserve that PI in
whatever format provided by the City and in any and all formats to which it might
be converted by OMG, so as to make it available to only those employees of
OMG whose access to such PI is necessary to permit OMG to fulfill the terms of
its engagement with the City as identified in the second recital hereof and in
Article 4 below;
b. Return to the City's Access and Privacy Officer within 5 business days of the
City's entering into an agreement with a provider of LTD coverage referred to in
the first recital hereof, all PI provided by the City with respect thereto in the
format in which it was provided by the City;
i]
c. Destroy within 5 business days of the City entering into an agreement with a
provider of the LTD coverage referred to in the first recital hereof any and all PI
possessed by or under the control of OMG, except that returned to the City
pursuant to subsection (b) hereof, relating to employees of the City;
d. Refrain from providing the PI or any part thereof to any person except one that
requires such PI for the purpose of responding to the RFP for the LTD coverage
referred to in the first recital hereof;
e. Refrain from providing to any person any PI pursuant to subsection (d) hereof
unless and until OMG obtains the proper execution by that person of an
agreement with OMG containing the same provisions as contained herein with
only those changes necessitated by the identity of the parties being different;
f. Deliver to the City's Access and Privacy Officer, within 2 business days of having
provided personal information to any other person, a copy of each agreement
required pursuant to subsection (e) hereof.
2. In the event that OMG knows that there has been an unauthorized disclosure of PI in its
custody or under its control, OMG shall immediately notify in writing the City's Access
and Privacy Officer.
3. OMG shall comply with any applicable provisions of the RTIPPA and with any direction
given by the City pursuant to this agreement.
4. Further to the second recital hereof, OMG shall, for the sum of $15,000 plus HST to be
paid by the City at intervals agreed to by the parties as work is completed by OMG,
provide services that shall include but not be limited to the following:
a. Carry out the work required to secure, on an urgent basis, interim LTD coverage
for the City's employees, as is addressed and more fully described in a separate
agreement between the City and OMG, dated , recognizing that the
timeframe for the City's RFP process, as described in the second recital hereof
and in subsection (b) below, will be informed by the results of the work being
undertaken by OMG to secure interim LTD coverage for the City's employees;
b. Assist the City with the RFP process described in the second recital hereof. This
shall include but not be limited to:
i. Providing professional guidance and advice, as required, to the City's
administration, including the City's Acting Manager of Materials
Management, to facilitate the City's RFP process, which shall include
guidance and advice respecting the subject matter of LTD coverage and
for which Mr. Gordon Cosman, CEBS WMA shall serve as the primary
resource person/point of contact for the City from OMG for this purpose;
ii. Working with the City's Acting Manager of Materials Management to
develop any and all documentation required for the City's RFP process in
accordance with the parameters established by the City for LTD coverage;
iii. Working with the City's Acting Manager of Materials Management to
develop a public advertisement for the City's RFP process;
iv. Working with the City's Acting Manager of Materials Management to
compile a comprehensive list of LTD coverage providers who may be
interested in responding to the public advertisement for the City's RFP
process;
v. Assisting the City's Acting Manager of Materials Management with the
development of criteria for measuring and evaluating proposals submitted
in response to the City's RFP;
3
vi. Assisting the City's Acting Manager of Materials Management with any
questions that may arise during the RFP process from parties interested in
responding to the City's RFP;
vii. Assisting the City's Acting Manager of Materials Management with the
evaluation of the proposals submitted in response to the City's RFP;
viii. Assisting the City's Acting Manager of Materials Management with the
preparation of a report(s) analyzing the proposals submitted in response to
the RFP and making recommendations arising from same;
ix. Assisting the City with the implementation of LTD coverage, as required,
following the completion of the City's RFP process, and
x. Any other services that are incidental to the City's RFP process.
c. In addition to the work described in subsection (b) hereof, OMG shall, should the
City so decide, provide any and all necessary employee educational
sessions /training (which shall include but not be limited to the preparation of any
necessary supplementary or explanatory written material) subsequent to the
conclusion of the City's RFP process and the implementation of LTD coverage
for the sum of $5,000 plus HST to be paid by the City.
d. OMG shall charge and the City shall pay an hourly rate of $250.00 plus HST for
Mr. Cosman's professional time for work which falls outside the scope of
subsection (b) or (c) hereof and shall charge an hourly rate of $100.00 plus HST
for any administrative support work that is carried out by OMG which falls
outside the scope of subsection (b) and (c) hereof.
5. In addition to any other rights of termination or other recourse which the City might have
under this agreement or otherwise by law, the City may by written notice given to OMG,
terminate this agreement without penalty or any other financial obligation to OMG, upon
the failure by OMG to comply with any of the terms and conditions of this agreement.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF the parties have duly executed this agreement the day
of December, 2012.
SIGNED, SEALED & DELIVERED
In the presence of:
THE CITY OF SAINT JOHN
Per
Mayor
Common Clerk
Common Council Resolution:
OMG BENEFITS CONSULTING INC.
Per:
4
COUNTY OF SAINT JOHN
PROVINCE OF NEW BRUNSWICK
I, of , in the County of
and Province of New Brunswick, MAKE OATH AND SAY:
1. THAT I am the of OMG Benefits Consulting Inc., the contractor named in the
foregoing instrument and have custody of the corporate seal of the said company and am duly authorized
to make this affidavit.
2. THAT the seal affixed to the foregoing agreement and purporting to be the corporate seal of
OMG Benefits Consulting Inc., is the corporate seal of the said OMG Benefits Consulting Inc., the
contractor named in the foregoing instrument and it was affixed by the officer authorized to so affix the
seal.
3. THAT the signature " " subscribed to the said instrument is my
signature and as I am duly authorized to execute the said instrument.
4. THAT the said document was executed as aforesaid at the City of Saint John in the Province of
New Brunswick on the day of December, 2012.
SWORN TO before me at the City of )
Saint John, in the County of Saint )
John and Province of New }
Brunswick, this day of }
December, 2012. )
Commissioner of Oaths )
Being a Solicitor )