What are the member groups?

The plan has specialized member groups for police officers and firefighters.

Group 1 is for general plan members (not police officers or firefighters).

Group 2 is for police officers and firefighters. Members in group 2 have an earlier normal retirement age because they work in public safety.

Group 5 is also for police officers and firefighters. Members in this group have the same earlier normal retirement age as members in group 2; however, they contribute more and have a higher benefit accrual rate, which provides an enhanced pension.

As of January 1, 2025, group 2 is closed to new employers. This means that if you work in public safety, you are in group 5 unless you work for an employer that started participating in group 2 prior to 2025 and that has not applied to move to group 5. Contact your employer if you are unsure which group you are in.

Firefighter means persons who are employed in the fire sector as firefighters, as a fire chief and any other person employed in, or appointed to, a fire department and assigned to undertake fire protection services, which includes fire suppression, fire prevention, fire safety education, communication, training of persons involved in the provision of fire protection services, rescue and emergency services and the delivery of all those services.

Police officer means a person appointed under the Police Act as a provincial constable, special provincial constable, designated constable, municipal constable, special municipal constable, auxiliary constable or enforcement officer, but does not include a person who is a member of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police.