A win-win for employers and employees
Contributions to the Plan are funded equally by members and employers. The Plan includes features and provisions to accommodate some of the unique circumstances faculty and staff experience in their careers.
Employer benefits
Balance sheet relief
No PBGF or solvency funding obligations, simplified accounting
Defined funding policy
Clearly laid out guidance for plan funding
Talent recruitment and retention
Employers of any size can offer a premier, portable benefit designed for the university sector
A turnkey solution
Centralized pension administration and investments, under a strong risk-shared governance model
Shared benefits
Best-in-class value
Top value for contributions among peer defined benefit pension plans
Enhanced cost and risk efficiency
UPP is designed to deliver enhanced security and value with scale
Joint decision-making
Equal employee and employer sponsor responsibility in decisions on the terms and conditions of the plan, plan amendments, appointing a plan administrator, and setting terms for and approving new entrants.
Expert investment management
Contributions invested by experienced professionals with expertise in pension sustainability and responsible investing
100% matched contributions
Employee benefits
Secure, predictable retirement income for life
Predictable, secure retirement income for life based on an average of best 48 months of earnings and years of service
Additional tailored features
Funded conditional indexation, early unreduced retirement, flexible survivor benefits
Service excellence
Dedicated team of pension experts complemented by a secure digital member portal with tools and resources.
Career flexibility
Eligible plan members can seamlessly move between UPP participating employers, and combine part-time service at multiple UPP participating employers*
*For eligible employment classes
UPP is a jointly sponsored pension plan (JSPP)
A JSPP is a special type of defined benefit plan in which employee and employer sponsors are equally responsible for decisions about plan funding and design, as well new entrants to the plan. Joint sponsorship ensures a high degree of accountability and transparency while putting the interests of Plan members at the centre of every decision.
UPP’s joint sponsorship is customized for the variety of voices and groups within the university sector.
Equal employee and employer sponsor responsibility in decisions about plan funding and design, as well new entrants to the plan.
Transparent plan operations, funding, decision-making
Clear, explicit risk sharing
It’s these characteristics that afford JSPPs unique benefits like solvency exemption and stable, predictable contributions.
Exploring UPP for defined benefit and hybrid plans
We can accommodate a wide array of past and present plan types – even those without a prior plan. We’re here to provide comprehensive transition and onboarding support, from start to finish, and look forward to starting the conversation.
UPP is open to all universities and organizations in Ontario’s university sector
UPP’s team is available to discuss plan features, answer questions, provide calculations and estimates, and deliver presentations about what joining UPP would look like for your organization. To get started, contact:
Andrew Naples
Managing Director, University Sector and Stakeholder Engagement
- © 2025 University Pension Plan