What is the best interest of pension plan members to receive their pro rata share of a partial wind-up on partial termination of an employee pension plan?

Ontario, Canada


The following excerpt is from Lacroix v. Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation, 2012 ONCA 243 (CanLII):

Deschamps J. held that the best interests of plan members required that they receive their pro rata share of the surplus on partial termination, rather than waiting for a full wind-up of the plan. She cited the following policy considerations in support of her conclusion: [See Note 11 below] -- No unfairness to plan members would result as the fund would still be in surplus after distribution; -- not recognizing the beneficial interest of the downsized employees at the time of partial termination would put them in a worse position than the ongoing employees, as they have lost their jobs and their level of pensionable earnings has been reduced; -- the downsized workers should be subject to the risks of the plan while they are part of it but not after termination; -- if the downsized employees are required to wait for a full wind-up at an indeterminate date in the future, some may no longer be reachable; and -- because the actuarial surplus becomes an actual surplus and vests in the plan members upon plan termination, [page106] distribution on partial wind-up is consistent with the trust principles outlined in Schmidt v. Air Products.

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