Pensionable Earnings – Guiding Principles
Pensionable earnings are the regular straight time portion of wages, salary and other amounts paid to members in relation to hours, weeks, or other specific periods of time for which a member is employed, and that form a regular and integral part of the member's remuneration.
Pensionable Earnings – Application
Common types of employment earnings are listed below that are pensionable and non-pensionable. Please note that this list is intended to be illustrative but is not exhaustive as compensation types may vary widely from employer to employer. The above guiding principles and the examples below should be used when determining whether earnings are pensionable or not. Please contact HOOPP if you are unsure whether a type of earnings or compensation is pensionable or non-pensionable.
Examples of Pensionable and Non-pensionable Earnings
Pensionable earnings | Non-pensionable earnings |
|---|---|
Regular wages and earnings related to straight time pay, including pay for overtime, up to fulltime hours. The regular pay portion or straight time pay for hours worked in a 27th pay period, even if full-time hours for the year were reached prior to the period. | Any pay for earnings that exceed regular full-time hours in any year that does not have a 27th pay period, or an additional amount paid above the regular hourly rate for working a specific shift. (i.e. overtime shift premium paid at rates exceeding regular rates). |
The regular pay portion or straight time pay for working a statutory holiday. | An additional amount paid above the regular hourly rate for working a statutory holiday. |
The regular pay portion or straight time pay for working a weekend, call-in or unscheduled extra shift. | Pay that exceeds regular straight time pay for working a weekend, call-in or unscheduled extra shift. |
Payments made in lieu of termination notice as required under the Ontario Employment Standards Act (ESA).* Payment made in lieu of notice of termination that are greater than the ESA requirements, if both employer and member agree to make contributions and if the employment relationship continues.* | Payment made in lieu of termination notice that exceed the ESA notice requirements if both employer and member agree not to make contributions and are paid as a lump sum. |
Severance pay if paid as salary continuance.* | Severance pay if paid as a lump sum. |
Retroactive pay for active or retired employees, for a period of time when the member was contributing to HOOPP. | Retroactive pay for members who are terminated or deceased. Retroactive pay for an active or retired employee for a period when the member was not contributing to HOOPP. |
Paid vacation. | Pay or percentage in lieu of vacation or a lump sum vacation payout. |
A regularly occurring bonus that represents a fundamental and recurring component of an employer's long-term compensation program. Contributions deducted for pensionable bonuses are treated the same as retroactive pay. When a pensionable bonus is paid for a previous calendar year, contributions must be deducted using the contribution rates in effect for the year in which the bonus applies, not for the year in which it is paid. | A one-time, unexpected or ad hoc bonus that is not part of an employer's long-term compensation program, even if an employee receives it in more than one year. |
Straight time pay for time off in lieu of overtime (banked hours). | Pay in lieu of benefits. |
The regular straight time portion of pay when called-in to work while on "stand-by." | Pay that exceeds regular straight time pay when called-in while on "stand-by." |
Paid sick days that are classified as an employer-approved leave or employer-approved health leave. | Unpaid days that are not classified as an employer-approved leave. |
Ongoing and regular payment for additional responsibilities. | Car allowances, meal allowances or reimbursements for similar types of expenses |
For more information on payments at the end of the employment relationship, see section 4.7 Contributions in Other Situations (Click Here) under “Contributions on Termination Payments”.
Important
In spring 2020, the Ontario government announced a temporary increase in the hourly wage of front-line workers such as those working in long-term care, retirement homes, community care, home care and some hospitals. HOOPP defines pensionable earnings as the regular wages or straight-time pay that is paid as part of base earnings. For HOOPP purposes, since the pandemic payments are temporary in nature and in addition to regular earnings, they are not considered pensionable earnings. Therefore, contributions should not be deducted from members on these payments.