OMERS has launched our new podcast series, The Pension Blueprint! Each episode explores different aspects of the pension landscape across Ontario and provides pension education to help listeners learn about the OMERS Plan and kick-start their retirement planning.
The podcast features in-depth conversations led by members of the OMERS Pensions team. The episodes are packed with educational content about the OMERS Plan – everything from factors to consider when choosing the best time to retire to ways to maximize monthly retirement income. Some episodes take a deeper dive into the latest buzzworthy topics around pensions and retirement.
Listeners will hear from OMERS leaders including Blake Hutcheson, President and CEO; Celine Chiovitti, Executive Vice President and Head of Pensions; as well as Michael Kelly, Chief Legal and Sustainability Officer and Katharine Preston, Vice President of Sustainable Investing along with members of our Pension Education and Relationship Management team. We also welcome two special external guests:
Rob Carrick, Personal Finance Columnist at The Globe and Mail
Dr. Samir Sinha, Director of Geriatrics at Sinai Health and University Health Network and Director of Health Policy at the National Institute on Ageing.
Check out our new podcast!
Download the following episodes on Spotify, Apple Podcasts and Google Podcasts or click on the thumbnails below to view the video version of each episode:
Episode 2: The Pensions North Star
Celine Chiovitti, Executive Vice President and Head of Pensions at OMERS, explains the Pensions North Star: to be the most trusted partner in empowering OMERS members through their pension journey – from hire to retire. She discusses the shifting demographics of members and how the OMERS pension extends beyond the cheque, with positive outcomes trickling into Ontario communities.
Episode 3: A guide to retirement for every generation
Rob Carrick, Personal Finance Columnist at The Globe and Mail, visits with OMERS and provides his views on the retirement landscape, including the value of a defined benefit pension plan and why living within your means is so important. Rob also shares his views and strategies for how young people can manage their savings during a rising cost-of-living environment.
Episode 4: An innovative outlook on retirement
Gareth Gibbins, Vice President of Pension Governance & Advisory at OMERS, shares research OMERS commissioned by the Canadian Centre for Economic Analysis, which found that retirees with a defined benefit pension are more satisfied with life. Also, what are Naturally Occurring Retirement Communities (NORCs) and why is it important for us as a society to start thinking about retirement in innovative ways?
Episode 5: Healthy outcomes for an aging population
Celine Chiovitti welcomes Dr. Samir Sinha, Director of Geriatrics at Sinai Health and University Health Network and Director of Health Policy at the National Institute on Ageing (NIA), to discuss Healthy Outcomes, a new report from the NIA on the link between a secure and stable income in retirement and positive health outcomes in older age. Plus, Dr. Sinha provides his views on reframing the idea of retirement as people are living longer and what aging in the right place means to him.
Episode 6: What does ESG really mean?
Michael Kelly, OMERS Chief Legal and Sustainability Officer, and Katharine Preston, OMERS Vice President of Sustainable Investing, talk about the three pillars of ESG – environmental, social and governance – and how each impacts OMERS long-term investment strategy. They also delve into OMERS net-zero 2050 emission goal and how we’ll get there.
Episode 7: When should I retire?
OMERS Pension Education and Relationship Management team weighs in on the most frequently asked question from our members: What factors should I consider when I am deciding when to retire? Our pension staff discuss how they talk to members about this question and also discuss the psychology of retirement and how to mentally prepare for that next chapter.
Episode 8: How to maximize your pension
Fotini Eliopoulos, OMERS Vice President of Member Experience, elaborates on what a defined benefit pension is, the formula used to calculate a member’s OMERS Plan benefit, and how to maximize your pension if you can purchase or transfer service.
Episode 9: How big life changes could affect your pension
Life changes such as leaving a job, taking a parental leave or going through a separation/divorce could affect your pension. OMERS Pension Education and Relationship Management team considers these and other life changes and explains how to use myOMERS to assist you along the way.
Episode 12: Expanding your portfolio with AVCs
Discover whether an Additional Voluntary Contributions (AVC) account – another way to invest in the OMERS Plan outside of your pension – is right for you. OMERS Pension Education and Relationship Management team discusses registered retirement vehicles, how to contribute to the AVC account and what the AVC Income Option means.
Members of the OMERS Plan are encouraged to review all of the resources available to them to understand their benefits and seek independent professional advice to assist with their retirement planning. The summary information, content and material provided at each link on this page is provided for general informational purposes only and does not address every scenario. It is also not intended to be (or substitute for) individual financial, legal or medical advice. Further, external speakers have been invited to provide their own viewpoints and do not reflect OMERS views.
OMERS members also have access to a number of additional resources if they want to dive deeper into any of the OMERS Plan-related topics introduced by the podcasts. You can refer to the Member Handbook or check out the various topic-specific pages on OMERS.com for more detailed information. You can also contact our Member Experience team.