The Enhanced Early Retirement Benefit (EERB) program allows LAPP members who receive a retiring allowance to purchase a pension enhancement with those funds if they retire within 6 months of ending employment.
The EERB is a way that members can minimize their early retirement reduction. To do this, a member would need to receive a retiring allowance from their employer, which exists under the tax rules and relate to a payment following retirement in recognition of long service or as severance pay.
You can apply for an EERB ("benefit enhancement") if:
The benefit enhancement can be purchased only with retiring allowance money that is eligible for rollover to a registered pension plan (RPP) or registered retirement savings plan (RRSP) under the Income Tax Act.
Normally, if you retire before age 65 without reaching your 85 factor, your pension is reduced. This reduction is 3% for every year early that you retire. If you purchase the enhancement, you can lower the reduction, to a minimum of 1.5%. More detail can be provided in a cost estimate.
You can ask your employer to have LAPP estimate:
If you ask your employer to request an estimate from LAPP, you will need to provide your employer with:
Estimates will be calculated as of the month in which we receive your request, based on your age when the pension will start and using estimated pensionable service and salary up to the date your employment will end.