Summer 2026
UPDATES FROM THE BOARD
The Pension and Benefits Board met on March 11 for the annual spring meeting. The board reviewed the financial position of the pension plan and received up-to-date reports presented by the actuaries, the chief financial officer, the various sub-committees and the trustee board.
Upon review of the pension plan funded status and in consultation with our actuaries, the Pension and Benefits Board agreed to proceed with filing another formal valuation report as at December 31, 2024. This allowed the plan to achieve another three-years of contribution certainty and included a provision for potential benefit increases up to January 1, 2027. The next valuation must be prepared as of a date no later than December 31, 2027.
The pension plan funded status at December 31, 2025 remains strong with an estimated going concern funded ratio of 126.6% and an estimated wind-up ratio of 128.6%.
PENSION PLAN FUNDING AND BENEFITS POLICY AND COST OF LIVING INCREASE
The Funding and Benefits Policy approved by the General Assembly formally documents the pension plan’s funding objective as it relates to sustainability of the pension plan, stability of contributions, surplus management, intergenerational equity and ensuring there are sufficient assets to provide promised benefits. The policy also sets out parameters to grant pension increases, removing the requirement for General Assembly approval each year as long as the increases are made in accordance with the policy.
The Pension and Benefits Board reviewed the funding criteria and confirmed the financial metrics were met to support a cost-of-living increase of 2.4 (100% of CPI) effective January 1, 2026. As such, the increase was granted and the appropriate amendment was filed with the regulators. The board will perform the next review in October to determine if the financial status supports a January 1, 2027 increase.
To access the Pension and Benefits Board report and recommendations to the 2025 General Assembly, visit the PCC website at:
www.presbyterian.ca/gao/ga2026
Health and dental benefit fraud and abuse is on the rise. We want to make sure our member’s are knowledgeable about what to look out for to prevent any inaccurate claims.
What are some examples of fraud and abuse by providers?
- Changed procedure codes and dates of service for previously declined claims
- Excessive and unusual invoice submissions
- Submission of services that patients never received
- Submission of inflated fees for financial gain
- Offering inappropriate incentives
What is the impact of fraud and abuse on benefit plans?
Higher insurance premiums and loss of benefits can occur because it can increase the cost of plan premiums and could threaten group plan sustainability.
Example 1
Some providers or vendors of medical equipment will promote incentives to encourage purchases, such as giving free merchandise (such as shoes, glasses, bags, gift cards or cash back), and will inflate the cost of the medical device or service to cover the cost of the incentive.
Example 2
Substitution is another example of fraud. This occurs when a provider gives a patient a product that isn’t covered (like non-prescription glasses) but bills the insurance company for a covered item (like prescription lenses).
How to Protect Yourself and Your Benefits Plan Against Fraud and Abuse
1. Check your coverage to understand what amounts you will pay that aren’t reimbursed under the benefits plan. Check your claim’s history and explanation of your benefits regularly.
2. Check your explanation or breakdown of the service provided to ensure the service or products you received were claimed accurately, never sign a blank claim form, and keep your receipts for at least one year.
3. Report service providers and vendors who offer to waive amounts not covered by the benefit plan, or who offer inappropriate incentives.
If you suspect fraud or benefit plan abuse, please report it to Sun Life.
Email:
Phone: 1-888-882-2221
With the rise of global warming, summers have become noticeably hotter. What you choose to wear, eat and do during these unavoidable hours can impact your health and wallet. Here are a few inexpensive ways to stay cool:
The Power of Water
Tired of drinking cups upon cups of water to stay hydrated? Try eating your water instead! Cucumber, iceberg lettuce, celery, tomatoes, watermelon and strawberries are healthy and hydrating choices, that are all made up of over 90% water.
A cold shower is the quickest way to relieve some heat from your body, but if a shower isn’t accessible, take some ice cubes and rub the ice on the body’s pulse points; wrists, neck, the insides of elbows and tops of feet. Blood vessels there are closer to the surface of your skin, so the ice can cool the blood that passes through them more easily.
Fabric Matters!
Try wearing clothing made of natural fabrics, such as cotton or linen, as these materials are cooling and breathable due to their bigger pores in their woven threads that allow for air circulation and sweat to evaporate, therefore cooling the body. Colour is also important, as black not only takes in heat faster than white but that it also gives off heat much faster compared to white clothing or fabrics. While behind your neck runs some of the body’s busiest blood flow, so by covering this area against direct solar radiation, it reduces the heat load on the body.
Indoor Cooking Alternatives
Keep your oven off during peak hours and try these options instead:
- BBQ your meals to keep heat out of the house
- Meal prep at night when the temperature has cooled down and freeze meals to microwave during the day
- Ingredient prep vs meal prep: have fresh fruits and vegetables cut and washed so they are readily available for a quick snack or easy dinner
- Share cooking duties with friends and family! Take turns hosting or meal prepping to minimize cooking & try new recipe
THE PCC PENSION PLAN HUB: YOUR 2026 BIENNIAL PENSION STATEMENT
In 2025, the pension and benefits office announced that you will be able to access your next Biennial Pension Statement digitally through a secure portal: The PCC Pension Plan Hub. This is a secure online portal where you will be able to access your pension information, such as our Pension Booklet (which describes the main terms of the pension plan that are applicable to you) and your Biennial Pension Statements.
Unless you have opted out of electronic communications, pension communication including your pension statements will be sent to you electronically, and paper copies will not be mailed to you. This ensures timely access to your biennial statements and other pension-related communications, with the ability to download copies for your records. You can opt out of electronic communications at any time. To opt out, please contact the Pension and Benefits office at .
Keeping Your Records Up-to-date…
Life moves fast and making changes to your information can often slip your mind. To help make sure you are always informed and to keep your records updated, we ask that you contact us with any changes to your information.
This includes:
- Changes to your address, phone number or email
- Life events that include marital status changes, birth, adoption or death
- A second contact or Power of Attorney
- Any changes that may include your Beneficiaries
Presbyterian Church – Pension and Benefits Department
50 Wynford Drive
Toronto, ON M3C 1J7
Phone: 1-800-619-7301
www.presbyterian.ca
Sun Life Customer Care Centre
Phone: 1-800-361-6212
www.mysunlife.ca
App: MySunLife
ComPsych Guidance Resources Program
Phone: 1-866-641-3847
TDD: 1-877-373-4763
www.guidanceresources.com
App: GuidanceResources Now
| 2025 | 2026 |
|---|---|
| The Rev. John F. Allan Mr. Kenneth E. Allen Mrs. Marie C. Anderson The Rev. Priscilla Anderson The Rev. James S. S. Armour The Rev. Keith E. Boyer The Rev. Robert J. Calder The Rev. Jennifer L. Cameron The Rev. Dr. John R. Cameron The Rev. Samuel Choi The Rev. Gabor Dezse The Rev. M. Rosemary Doran Mrs. Phyllis J. Humphrey The Rev. Young Hwa Lee The Rev. Douglas E. W. Lennox The Rev. Donald E. MacLeod Mrs. Azalia Matheson Mrs. Carolyn A. McNeil Mrs. Heather E. Mulchey The Rev. G. Walter T. Read Mrs. Dorothy C. Ruddell The Rev. Peter M. Szabo The Rev. Mervyn E. Tubb The Rev. Linda L. Whitehead Mrs. Dorothy C. Williams The Rev. Dr. Glynis R. Williams The Rev. Joseph E. Williams Mrs. Alida Zegerius |
Mrs. Marion Bannerman Mrs. Marilyn J. de Bruijn Mrs. Jean Burnett-Farris The Rev. Joyce E. C. Elder Mrs. Mary Ann M. Firth The Rev. Victor M. Ford Ms. Mary-Lou Funston The Rev. Byron Grace The Rev. J. Desmond Howard The Rev. Leo E. Hughes Mrs. Karen Jacobs-Williams Mrs. Grace Jess Mrs. Mary Lou Johnston The Rev. Douglas B. Lowry The Rev. Dr. D. Barry Mack Mrs. Marion McCuaig The Rev. Jo-Anne Symington The Rev. Florence C. Palmer The Rev. Laszlo Peter The Rev. Gwendolyn M. Roberts Dr. M. Wilma Welsh The Rev. David A. Whitehead Mr. Norman A. Wills The Rev. Ian S. Wishart The Rev. George P. Yando |
About this newsletter
This newsletter provides summary information about the Presbyterian Church in Canada pension and benefits plans. It is not intended to be complete or comprehensive, or to provide legal or medical advice. If there are any discrepancies between this newsletter and the wording in the legal documents that govern the plans, the legal documents will apply in all cases. Our Pension Plan registration number is 0368902.