Did you know that ARTA stands for Alberta Retired Teachers’ Association?
While that name speaks to ARTA’s origins, it doesn’t mean our benefit plans are exclusively for teachers, or exclusively for Alberta residents. We welcome professionals from across countless industries to participate in our benefit plans.
Multiple different groups and thousands of potential retirees, in both the public and private sector, are eligible to join ARTA Benefits for their retirement benefit needs.
So… how can you join? Are you part of a qualifying professional group? How do you know which professional group you belong to?
This blog is here to help shine some light on the matter, to help you understand which professional groups qualify for ARTA Benefits.
Education Sector
This is the “teachers” part of the Alberta Retired Teachers’ Association.
If you have worked as a teacher in Alberta and have contributed to the Alberta Teachers’ Retirement Fund (ATRF) for 5 or more years, then this is you.
But grade school teachers aren’t the only educators in Alberta. Post-secondary instructors, post-secondary support staff, and Alberta school support staff all count as education sector and are eligible for membership, as long as they have contributed to a government-sponsored pension plan for at least 5 years during their career.
Do you count as any of these listed above? If so, then Education Sector is where you start when building your retirement benefits plan.
Public Sector
This is for all of you wonderful public sector retirees or soon-to-be retirees. This professional group contains Government of Alberta staff, UNA nurses, HSAA employees, municipal members (such as Strathcona County, Cypress County, CSU 52, etc), and so many more.
If you are vested in or receiving a government sponsored public pension (such as LAPP, PSPP, SFPP, or MEPP) then you are eligible to sign up. If you have withdrawn your pension, then unfortunately you are no longer eligible.
For UNA, HSAA, and Alberta Municipalities Benefits Plan members, you need to have been a member for at least two years during your career, but you do not need to be a member when applying.
Do you fall into more than one participating group? That’s ok. You can choose which ever category you prefer when you apply, your rates will still be the same wherever you fall under the Public/Private Rates.
Private Sector
ARTA Benefits is proud to partner with many private sector groups to provide retirement benefits for their members.
MNP employees, CPA members, CPHR members, Real Estate Council of Alberta…. The list goes on.
Each group has specific eligibility requirements, so make sure to visit your group’s specific landing page to make sure you meet the criteria.
Much like the Public Sector, you might cross over between participating groups. Maybe you are a CPA who works for MNP or Servus Credit Union. That fine. You’re still going to be using the Public/Private rate sheet.
Joining ARTA Benefits
Now is the time to get started planning your retirement benefits.
It’s never too early to start looking ahead. Start here to check your eligibility and start building your benefit plan.
Got any questions? You can always contact our Member Services team at [email protected] or by calling 1-855-444-2782.
Find the rate sheets for your group here:
artabenefits.net/benefit-booklets
View all participating groups here:
artabenefits.net/partners
Get more Tips & Insights in planning your retirement here:
artabenefits.net/posts