Disability Pension and Retention

[CountDC]

Of the multiple RCAF members this would affect, it was determined that ~5 were deemed essential and a request was submitted to CMP for an exemption to the IREM CRA60 policy. It was looking favorable that the exemptions would be approved.

Hmm, have a meeting later to discuss so will bring this up as a possible

I obviously don’t know your personal situation, but you may wish to consider a 3B release as a bit of a gift. It opens up a whole range of benefits not otherwise available in a normal 5 series release.

In my case there isn't a lot of benefit out of it. Keep in mind that I will be 64 when releasing and for the most part the benefits of a med release are geared towards those much younger.

Nope the bridge is part of the pension, always has been. All part of the funding formula.

Damn, I talked to the WO I work with and he understood it the same as I did. Even in the release seminars I attended over the years they always just mentioned 2% pension per year and never distinguished the bridge was part of that. Better let him know so he can plan accordingly as that makes a big difference. I am looking at an income reduction of over $2k a month then.

Thanks all for the info.

 

[AmmoTech90]

Bridge dissapears at 65. You keep it until then even if you draw CPP at 60, calculate the difference might be worth taking CPP early.
Also, you get OAS at 65, right now 727.

 

[CountDC]

shhhhh, we are not supposed to mention oas on here.

 

[AmmoTech90]

shhhhh, we are not supposed to mention oas on here.

OAS and CPP are the reason for the bridge benefit.
No shade on you, but why was it that as a Cpl I knew about the bridge benefit but so many of my seniors and peers are firing up the outrage bus when they learn about it. They become strangely silent when told that their pension contributions would be significantly more is it was life time.
And then, a month later jump on someone else's bus ...

 

[dapaterson]

If you have RRSPs it may be to your advantage to draw them down and delay CPP and OAS.

 

[daftandbarmy]

OAS and CPP are the reason for the bridge benefit.
No shade on you, but why was it that as a Cpl I knew about the bridge benefit but so many of my seniors and peers are firing up the outrage bus when they learn about it. They become strangely silent when told that their pension contributions would be significantly more is it was life time.
And then, a month later jump on someone else's bus ...

I recall another Corporal who knew alot more about admin details than his superiors too...

 

[AmmoTech90]

I recall another Corporal who knew alot more about admin details than his superiors too...

Yeah, I was a Cpl for longer than it took me to get from MCpl to CWO. Guess knowing admin as a Cpl is wrong, but right for supervisors.

 

[CountDC]

OAS and CPP are the reason for the bridge benefit.
No shade on you, but why was it that as a Cpl I knew about the bridge benefit but so many of my seniors and peers are firing up the outrage bus when they learn about it. They become strangely silent when told that their pension contributions would be significantly more is it was life time.
And then, a month later jump on someone else's bus ...

Can't answer for others on why they are firing up the outrage bus or why they become silent. I basically gave up explaining that it's not a claw back and having it for life would cost more, it is just to get them to CPP.

It's great that either it was explained to you properly or you dug deeper into it. That is my real issue and is on me for being lazy - for once I trusted fully what I was told and didn't dig deep into the policy myself, I am assuming others have done the same as they were under the same impression. I do take issue though with the fact that I attended several SCANs in which that was not stressed. Always have been told the pension was 2% a year without mention that the bridge was part of that 2%. In reality it is even more complicated now that I looked into it some:

Annual lifetime pension​

1.375% × total pensionable service × average earnings up to the AMPE (average maximum pensionable earnings)
+
2.0% × total pensionable service × average earnings above the AMPE

Annual bridge benefit paid until you reach age 65 or until you become eligible for a Canada Pension Plan/Quebec Pension Plan disability pension​

0.625% × total pensionable service × AMPE or your average earnings (whichever is lower)

I should have realized I needed to look more into it after I had to address to one presenter that it was not based on current income but an average of several years.

it was mentioned that a med release would give 90% pay so started looking into that (not falling for it again) - what appears to be a key component is that you have to be in rehab or have a diminished earning capacity due to the health problems that qualify you for IRB. If rehab stops then IRB stops. The IRB is to 65 unless you qualify under DEC that prevents occupation that pays equal to at least 2/3 of CAF salary in which case it could be lifetime (after 65 it is at 70 percent). Figuring I will give it a go and see what happens, worse case is they say no and I continue to not have what I don't already have.

 

[CountDC]

Of the multiple RCAF members this would affect, it was determined that ~5 were deemed essential and a request was submitted to CMP for an exemption to the IREM CRA60 policy. It was looking favorable that the exemptions would be approved.

Do you know if this was done by the career managers, members requesting or the air force command to CMP? My CofC wants to keep me and is trying every avenue but don't know how to approach this one. Trying to get an answer out of the career manager but it is a but busy there right now and slow to get replies.

 

[captloadie]

The requests came up from the CoC of the members, through the Air Staff to the Comd, then over to CMP for approval. There was a staff check over to DMCA to get their concurrence/support. However, from what I can see, they are still awaiting the approval from CMP.