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A171 
THE ANGLICAN CHURCH OF CANADA
GENERAL SYNOD 2023
RESOLUTION
Resolution Number: A171
Carried 
Subject: General Synod Pension and Benefits Plan
Moved By: Rt Rev Todd Townshend
Seconded By: Rev Dr Karen Egan
Be it resolved that this General Synod:

Confirm the amendments to the General Synod Pension and Benefits plans approved by the Council of General Synod as attached to this resolution.

Source: Pension Committee

Submitted By: Pension Committee

Does this motion contain within it any financial implications? 
No

If yes, has the General Synod Expenditures Committee considered the implications? 

Yes     No

EXPLANATORY NOTE/BACKGROUND

Confirmation of amendments previously approved by the Council of General Synod.

Pursuant to Canon VIII section 4(b), the Pension Committee is empowered to adopt and amend regulations regarding the pension and benefits plans that it administers, subject to the approval of the Council of General Synod. All such regulations must be confirmed by the General Synod at its next session in order to remain in effect. These amendments were duly adopted by the Pension Committee and ratified by the Council of General Synod during the last triennium. They are presented for confirmation by the General Synod as required by the canon referred to above. 

PROCEDURE FOR ADOPTION

 (G)

In the normal course, an ordinary motion must be passed by a majority of the members of General Synod present and voting together. 

Six members of General Synod may, prior to the question being put, require a vote by Orders, with a majority of each Order being necessary to pass.

If a question passes on a Vote by Orders, any six members (two from each of three different dioceses) may immediately before the next item of business require a vote to be taken by dioceses.  A motion passes if a majority (or a tie) of dioceses vote in favour.  

Source: Sections 4 and 5 of the Declaration of Principles and sections 18, 19 and 20 of the Rules of Order and Procedure.

  • on the no-debate list

GENERAL SYNOD PENSION PLAN RESOLUTIONS
APPROVED BY THE COUNCIL OF GENERAL SYNOD DURING THE QUADRENNIUM (2019 – 2023)

Resolution – Amendments to Regulations of Canon VIII

November 2019

Moved by: Ms. Kim Chadsey
Seconded by: Canon Hugh Mackenzie

Be it resolved:

See PDF for details of resolution

ADOPTED #CoGS 013-11-19

 

Resolution – General Synod Benefit Plans Administration and Expenses Regulation Pursuant to Section 4 of Canon VIII

November 2019

Moved by: The Most Rev. Gregory Kerr-Wilson
Seconded by: Mr. Chris Wood

Be it resolved:

That the Council of General Synod approves the recommendation of the Pension Committee to maintain 0.5% expense fund contribution  (General Synod Benefit Plans Administration and Expenses Regulation Made Pursuant to Section 4 of Canon VIII) effective January 1, 2020.

 ADOPTED #CoGS 014-11-19

Rationale: GSPP employers currently contribute 1.3% of earnings. Additional expense contributions in addition to contributions to the plan will be a deterrent to new groups. Analysis has shown that it is sustainable to pay administration expenses from the plan. As an interim measure, maintain 0.5% expense fund contribution until new groups join.

 

Resolution – Amendments to GSPP Trust Agreement

November 2019

Moved by: The Rt. Rev. David Edwards
Seconded by: Ms. Kim Chadsey

Be it resolved:

See PDF for details of resolution

ADOPTED #CoGS 015-11-19

 

Resolution – Amendments to SIDB

November 2019

Moved by: Canon Hugh Mackenzie
Seconded by: Canon Ian Alexander

Be it resolved:

See PDF for details of resolution

ADOPTED #CoGS 016-11-19

Resolution – Amendments to Regulations of Canon VIII – Regulation 1

November 2020

Moved by: Mr. Chris Wood
Seconded by: Canon David P. Jones

Be it resolved:

That the Council of General Synod approves the following recommendations of the Pension Committee to amend Regulation 1 of the General Synod Regulations effective January 1, 2020.

Bold indicates addition. Strikethrough indicates deletion

Amendments to Regulation 1 (“Definitions”)

Section 4 of Regulation 1 is edited to read as follows:

4. “Back Service” means the years served after ordination or after employment by any the Church organization, or any other body in the Anglican Communion, and before being enrolled in the Plan for which no funds were transferred to the Plan from any other pension program;

Rationale An amendment is proposed to Section 4 of Regulation 1 (Regulations of Canon VIII) to allow members to buy back service from any employer within the Anglican Communion (reference: General Synod Handbook) including a non-participating employer (effective January 1, 2020).

ADOPTED #CoGS 009-11-20

Resolution – Amendments to Regulations of Canon VIII – Regulations 3 and 5

November 2020

Moved by: Ms. Dale Drozda
Moved by: Canon David P. Jones

Be it resolved:

See PDF for details of resolution

ADOPTED #CoGS 011-11-20

 

Resolution – Child Allowance  

November 2020

Moved by: Canon David P. Jones
Seconded by: Mr. Chris Wood

Be it resolved:

That the Council of General Synod approves the Endowment Fund of the Anglican Church of Canada Regulation, made pursuant to Section 4 of Canon VIII, for enabling Child Allowance payments out of the Endowment Fund effective January 1, 2020. The Regulation is attached to this report as Appendix 1.

Rationale: Regulations of Canon VIII was amended to remove child allowance from the plan. Effective January 1, 2020, any new application for child allowance will be paid out of the Endowment Fund and a separate Regulation was drafted for enabling these payments out of the Endowment Fund. Any Child Allowance already in pay before the effective date will continue to be paid from the plan until the entitlement is satisfied. Attached to this report as Appendix 1 is the Endowment Fund of the Anglican Church of Canada Regulation, made pursuant to Section 4 of Canon VIII, for enabling Child Allowance payments out of the Endowment Fund.

ADOPTED #CoGS 012-11-20  

See A171 – Pension Committee November 2020 Appendix 1.

 

Resolution – General Synod Pension Plan – Canon VIII

May 2021

Moved by: The Most Rev. David Edwards
Seconded by: Canon David P. Jones

Be it resolved that The Council of General Synod approve the recommendation of the Pension Committee to make the following amendments effective July 1, 2021.

  • Reinstating the unreduced early retirement provision based on 35 years of contributory service for actives and restoring the pensions to those eligible, who retired since 2015, when this provision was removed.
  • Upgrading pensions accrued from 1.8% to 2.0% of pensionable salary, for the years 2010 to 2020 inclusive, for all retired, active and deferred members.
  • Applying a 5% increase to the total pension accrued to December 31, 2020 for active, deferred and retired members.

ADOPTED #CoGS 004-05-21

 

Resolution – General Synod Pension Plan – Canon VIII – Regulation 5 and Schedule A of Regulations of Cannon VIII

May 2021

Moved by: Canon David P. Jones
Seconded by: Canon Hugh Mackenzie

Be it resolved that The Council of General Synod approve the recommendation of the Pension Committee to make the amendments to Regulation 5 and Schedule A of the Regulations of Canon VIII, as attached to the report in Appendix A, effective July 1, 2021.

ADOPTED #CoGS 005-05-21

See A171 – Pension Committee May 2021 Appendix A.

Resolution  –  General Synod Pension Plan – Canon VIII – Regulation 12 of Regulations of Canon VIIIMay 2021

Moved by: Canon David P. Jones
Seconded by: Mr. Chris Wood

Be it resolved that The Council of General Synod approve the recommendation of the Pension Committee to make the amendments to Regulation 12 of the Regulations of Canon VIII, as attached to the report in Appendix B, effective January 1, 2021.

ADOPTED #CoGS 006-05-21

See A171 – Pension Committee May 2021 Appendix B.

Resolution – General Synod Pension Plan – Canon VIII – Motion 1

November 2021 

Moved by: Canon David P. Jones
Seconded by: Ms. Judith Moses

Be it resolved that the Council of General Synod approve the recommendation of the Pension Committee to make the amendments to Regulation 1 and 12 of the Regulations of Canon VIII, as attached to the report in Appendix 1, effective January 1, 2021.

ADOPTED #CoGS 004-11-21

See A171 – Pension Committee November 2021 Appendix 1.

Resolution – General Synod Pension Plan – Canon VIII – Motion 2  

November 2021

Moved by: Canon David P. Jones
Seconded by: The Most Rev. David Edwards

Be it resolved that the Council of General Synod approve the recommendation of the Pension Committee to cease contributions to Expense Fund and eliminate the 0.5% contribution that the participating employers are currently paying in accordance with the General Synod Benefit Plans Administration and Expenses Regulation, made pursuant to section 4 of Canon VIII, effective January 1, 2022.

ADOPTED #CoGS 05-11-21

Resolution – General Synod Pension Plan – Canon VIII – Part 1 (Revised Motion)

March 2022

Moved by: Canon David P. Jones
Seconded by: The Rev. Dr. Karen Eagan

(i) Be it resolved that The Council of General Synod approve the recommendation of the Pension Committee to approve the restated Regulations attached to the report in Appendix 1, with the following changes in Part 3 (Contributions) paragraph 1 (a) and paragraph 2 (a) to read “2.1 or 2.2.”

ADOPTED #CoGS 003-03-22

See A171 – Pension Committee March 2022 Appendix 1.

Resolution – General Synod Pension Plan – Canon VIII – Part II (Revised Motion)

March 2022

Moved by: Canon David P. Jones
Seconded by: The Rev. Dr. Karen Eagan

(ii) Be it resolved that The Council of General Synod approve the recommendation of the Pension Committee to increase pensions accrued to December 31, 2021 up to 9% starting on July 1, 2022, subject to Trustee discretion to reduce the amount and / or change the effective date of this improvement at their meeting in May 2022.

ADOPTED #CoGS 004-03-22

Resolution – GSPP Benefit Improvements

Email Ballot – June 2022;
Read into CoGS Minutes November 2022

Moved by: Canon David P. Jones
Seconded by: The Rev. Dr.  Karen Egan

That the Council of the General Synod approve the amendment to Schedule A of the regulations of Canon VIII proposed by the Pension Committee.

Background:

The proposed amendment reads:

Section 11 is added to Schedule A as follows:
11.The amount determined as of December 31, 2021 in accordance with Regulation 5.1 with respect to a Member shall be increased by 9.0% effective July 1, 2022. For greater clarity, this increase applies to all Active Members, Inactive Members and Retired Members as of December 31, 2021.

Email ballot distributed: June 9, 2022
Voting closed: June 13, 2022

Results

ADOPTED #CoGS 005-11-22

Resolution – General Synod Pension Plan – Canon VIII
November 2022

Moved by: Canon David P. Jones
Seconded by: The Rt. Rev. Andrew Asbil

Be it resolved that The Council of General Synod approve the recommendation of the Pension Committee to make the amendments to Regulations 7, 8, 9 & 12 of Canon VIII, as attached to the report in Appendix 1, effective January 1, 2022.

ADOPTED #CoGS 008-22-11

See A171 – Pension Committee November 2022 Appendix 1.

 

Resolution – General Synod Pension Plan – Canon VIII – Motion 1

March 2023

General Synod Pension Plan – Canon VIII – Motion 1

Moved by: Dr. Michael Siebert
Seconded by: The Rev. Dr. Karen Egan

Be it resolved that The Council of General Synod approve the recommendation of the Pension Committee to provide a 2% benefits increase to all active members, inactive members and retired members effective July 1, 2023, in respect of accrued pensions as at December 31, 2022.

ADOPTED #CoGS 009-23-03

General Synod Pension Plan – Canon VIII – Motion 2

March 2023

Moved by: The Rt. Rev. Andrew Asbil
Seconded by: Mr. Scott Wicks-Potter

Be it resolved that The Council of General Synod approve the recommendation of the Pension Committee to make the amendment to Schedule A of Canon VIII, as attached to the report in Appendix 1, effective July 1, 2023.

ADOPTED #CoGS 010-23-03

Rationale: This amendment allows for the increase of pension accrued to December 31, 2022 as the benefit improvement granted to utilize excess assets in 2023.

See A171 – Pension Committee March 2023 Appendix 1.

 

General Synod Pension Plan – Canon VIII – Motion 3

March 2023

Moved by: Ms. Judith Moses
Seconded by: Mr. Chris Wood

Be it resolved that The Council of General Synod approve the recommendation of the Pension Committee that a 10-year guarantee be added to normal form of pension for single active, retired (including Quebec members that have already made an election), deferred vested members, with effect from July 1, 2023.

ADOPTED #CoGS 011-23-03

 

General Synod Pension Plan – Canon VIII – Motion 4

March 2023

Moved by: Ms. Kim Chadsey
Seconded by: The Rt. Rev. Joey Royal

Be it resolved that The Council of General Synod approve the recommendation of the Pension Committee to make the amendment to Regulation 7 of Canon VIII, as attached to the report in Appendix 2, effective July 1, 2023.

ADOPTED #CoGS 012-23-03

 

Rationale: This amendment changes the normal form of pension for unpartnered members at retirement from a life only pension to a lifetime pension guaranteed for 10 years. This change is applicable to all members of the GSPP beginning on the effective date. For clarity, for current retirees who have been retired for less than 10 years and did not have a spouse at retirement, the pension will be guaranteed until the end of the 120 payments from the date of retirement. 

See A171 – Pension Committee March 2023 Appendix 2.

 

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Matthew 10:40-42

New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition

Rewards

40 “Whoever welcomes you welcomes me, and whoever welcomes me welcomes the one who sent me. 41 Whoever welcomes a prophet in the name of a prophet will receive a prophet’s reward, and whoever welcomes a righteous person in the name of a righteous person will receive the reward of the righteous, 42 and whoever gives even a cup of cold water to one of these little ones in the name of a disciple—truly I tell you, none of these will lose their reward.”

John 15:12-17

New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition

12 “This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. 13 No one has greater love than this, to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. 14 You are my friends if you do what I command you. 15 I do not call you servants any longer, because the servant does not know what the master is doing, but I have called you friends, because I have made known to you everything that I have heard from my Father. 16 You did not choose me, but I chose you. And I appointed you to go and bear fruit, fruit that will last, so that the Father will give you whatever you ask him in my name. 17 I am giving you these commands so that you may love one another.

John 21:15-19

New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition

Jesus and Peter

15 When they had finished breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon son of John, do you love me more than these?” He said to him, “Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.” Jesus said to him, “Feed my lambs.” 16 A second time he said to him, “Simon son of John, do you love me?” He said to him, “Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.” Jesus said to him, “Tend my sheep.” 17 He said to him the third time, “Simon son of John, do you love me?” Peter felt hurt because he said to him the third time, “Do you love me?” And he said to him, “Lord, you know everything; you know that I love you.” Jesus said to him, “Feed my sheep. 18 Very truly, I tell you, when you were younger, you used to fasten your own belt and to go wherever you wished. But when you grow old, you will stretch out your hands, and someone else will fasten a belt around you and take you where you do not wish to go.” 19 (He said this to indicate the kind of death by which he would glorify God.) After this he said to him, “Follow me.”

Luke 11:33-36

New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition

The Light of the Body

33 “No one after lighting a lamp puts it in a cellar or under a bushel basket; rather, one puts it on the lampstand so that those who enter may see the light. 34 Your eye is the lamp of your body. If your eye is healthy, your whole body is full of light, but if it is unhealthy, your body is full of darkness. 35 Therefore consider whether the light in you is not darkness. 36 But if your whole body is full of light, with no part of it in darkness, it will be as full of light as when a lamp gives you light with its rays.”

Matthew 8:1-4

New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition

Jesus Cleanses a Man

8 When Jesus had come down from the mountain, great crowds followed him, 2 and there was a man with a skin disease who came to him and knelt before him, saying, “Lord, if you are willing, you can make me clean.” 3 He stretched out his hand and touched him, saying, “I am willing. Be made clean!” Immediately his skin disease was cleansed. 4 Then Jesus said to him, “See that you say nothing to anyone, but go, show yourself to the priest, and offer the gift that Moses commanded, as a testimony to them.”