You can start receiving an early retirement pension up to 10 years before your normal retirement age (NRA) provided you have stopped working for your OMERS employer. For OMERS, early retirement is when you start your pension before your normal retirement date.
You may retire up to 10 years before your normal retirement date. If you have left employment with your OMERS employer before your earliest unreduced retirement date, your pension will be reduced. Learn more about how your early retirement reduction is calculated.
This is the earliest date at which you would be entitled to an unreduced lifetime pension. If you don’t meet certain age and service milestones or are affected by the 2013 benefit changes, your earliest unreduced retirement date will be your normal retirement date.
This is the last day of the month in which you turn 65 (if you have an NRA 65) or 60 (if you have an NRA 60). You may choose to continue working beyond your NRA. Your pension is unreduced at your normal retirement date. Learn more about normal retirement age.
Under the Income Tax Act, you must start collecting your OMERS pension by December 1 of the year you turn 71. This is the case even if you have continued to work for your OMERS employer.
You can find your NRA in your Pension Statement or by signing in to your myOMERS. If you don’t have a myOMERS account you can create one in just a few steps. All you need to get started is your email address or phone number and your date of birth. Register with a personal email address so that you still receive updates from us once you retire.
Get an estimate of your future OMERS pension, based on the information we have on file, using the Retirement Planner in myOMERS. You’ll find estimates for milestones like your early and normal retirement dates or any other dates you are considering.
You can also enhance your estimate by including predicted income from personal savings, the Canada Pension Plan (CPP) and Old Age Security (OAS). The tool even provides a snapshot of your estimated net income before and after retirement.
Your OMERS pension will provide you with secure and stable income for as long as you live, making it a foundational part of your retirement income.
In addition to your OMERS pension, you may have other sources of retirement income depending on your personal circumstances. We have a detailed guide that explains government sources such as CPP and OAS, as well as additional savings tools such as OMERS Additional Voluntary Contributions (AVCs), RRSPs and TFSAs.
The process of applying for an OMERS pension varies depending on whether or not you are still working for an OMERS employer when you are planning to retire.
Notify your employer of your intent to retire
Inform your employer that you would like to start your OMERS pension.
Your employer will gather the required documents and initiate the pension application process on your behalf.
Your employer completes and submits the application to OMERS.
Download and complete Form 144 – Application for Retirement Pension (Deferred Members).
Gather all required supporting documentation.
Log in to your myOMERS account.
Go to Secure Communications, start a new conversation, attach your files and submit them directly to OMERS.
Submit your application no earlier than 60 days before your retirement start date.
Review the Dual Membership FAQs for guidance
Contact OMERS Member Experience if you need additional assistance.
Preparing for retirement is a crucial step in ensuring a smooth transition into the next chapter of your life. To support this transition, we’ve developed a pre-retirement checklist that can help you navigate important aspects of retirement planning.
Learn about how and when you will receive your pension.
Learn about the lifetime pension formula and early retirement.
Learn about Canada Pension Plan (CPP) and Old Age Security (OAS).