Alberta pension plan: Analysis of costs, benefits, risks and considerations

By LifeWorks

Alberta Treasury Board and Finance (ATBF) has engaged LifeWorks to prepare a detailed analysis
of the costs, benefits and structure of a potential Alberta Pension Plan (APP). This analysis includes
actuarial, economic, legal, and technical information regarding the establishment and ongoing
operation of an APP. This analysis will give ATBF a clearer picture on what a future provincial pension
plan may look like and help answer key questions that Albertans are asking about the costs and
benefits of such a move.

This report does not contain any recommendations or endorsements relating to the creation and
operation of an APP; nor does it contain any opinion or recommendation in relation to the current or
future operation of the Canada Pension Plan (CPP).

It should be noted that analysis like this is complex when dealing with a social security program like the
CPP that has been in operation for over 55 years and covers nearly all working and retired Canadians
outside of Québec. We have reviewed considerable amounts of data and legislation, built and calibrated
a complex valuation model and performed significant analysis in order to summarize the information
and prepare this report. We have prepared our cost estimates based on publicly available information
and aggregate data, and methodology consistent with that used to determine contribution requirements
under the CPP. While we have confidence in the reasonableness of the results provided, a final APP
contribution rate based on actual data including asset amounts and individual CPP membership data
as well as a different methodology/philosophy for funding benefits could produce different outcomes.

Get the report “here”