At LAPP, CVs are calculated using the same economic and demographic assumptions that are used to set funding targets, provide information used in setting contribution rates and form the basis of all other administrative calculations where it is necessary to estimate the cost of the benefits to be provided to members.
A determination of a member’s CV must be done at the time of termination from active membership, or in the case of a deferred member, at the time of retirement or withdrawal from the Plan. If you are already vested and are planning to retire or terminate from your employer, you can read about your options for your pension entitlement on the page, When Can I Retire?
Your Commuted Value Transfer Options Are:
- Transfer your commuted value to your LIRA and have any non-locked funds transferred to your Registered Retirement Savings Plan (RRSP).
- Transfer your commuted value to your LIRA and have any non-locked funds paid as a taxable cash lump sum payment.
Because there are limits to the amount of funds from a pension payout that you are allowed to tax shelter, your payout may also contain some funds known as tax rule excess that you have to take as taxable cash.
How much income tax is withheld from my payout?
If you live in Canada, the amount withheld is based on this table:
| Lump Sum Amount |
Federal Income Tax Rate
|
| Up to $5,000 |
10% |
| More than $5,000 up to $15,000 |
20% |
| More than $15,000 |
30% |
A T4A will be issued with your payment to show how much additional income you have received and how much tax you have paid. The amount of tax withheld will be based only on the value of this payment. When added to your employment income for the year, you may be required to pay additional tax when you file your income tax return the following year.
If you are living outside of Canada when you receive funds from the Plan, the amount withheld will depend on that country's income tax rates.
LIRAs have strict rules about how and when the funds within them can be accessed. Normally, money cannot be taken from a LIRA until the owner reaches age 50, but you can get more details about converting LIRA funds from the Government of Alberta Private Sector Pensions Information for Individuals website.
Once the transfer to the LIRA is made, you will not be able to change your mind.
How to Transfer to a LIRA
- Before the commuted value can be transferred, you will need a LIRA with a bank or financial institution. Your bank or financial institution can assist you with this.
- LAPP can only transfer locked-in funds to a financial institution that appears on the Alberta Superintendent of Pensions' list.
- LAPP will only send the locked-in funds directly to the approved financial institution, and not to a third party company (such as an investment broker or related company of the financial institution).
- There is no tax withheld from a transfer to a LIRA. All funds transferred to a LIRA and the investment earnings on those funds are typically used to purchase an annuity, such as a Life Income Fund (LIF) or Locked-In Retirement Income Fund (LRIF) that will provide monthly payments from pension commencement to the end of the life of the LIRA holder.
- Normally, the earliest a LIRA can be converted to an annuity, LIF or LRIF is the 50th birthday of the LIRA holder. The LIRA must be converted to an annuity before the end of the year in which the LIRA holder reaches age 71.
- Would you like the form to transfer funds from LAPP to a LIRA?
