Once an employee is opting, they are entitled to $1,200 for financial and job placement counselling services. They also need to pick one of the following three options:
Option A: 12 Month Surplus Period
An Opting employee who chooses Option A will have surplus priority rights for appointment to other positions in the Core Public Administration for 12 months; effectively allowing them to be considered ahead of unaffected employees for open positions.
During this period, they have 12 months to find a reasonable job offer or else they will be laid-off. They can also participate in alternation during this period. Employees selecting Option A (12-month surplus priority) will also continue to work and earn pensionable time.
Option B: Transition Support Measure (TSM)
When choosing this option, the employee resigns and in exchange receives a taxable cash lump-sum payment based on years of service in the Public Service.
While the Employee must resign under this option, they will be considered laid off for purposes of severance pay, which is sperate from the TSM. Under this option, an employee may benefit from a pension reduction waive if they are between the ages of 55-59 years old, have at least 10 years of service and became a Public Service Superannuation Plan member before January 1, 2013, or are between the ages of 60-64 years old, have at least 10 years of service and became a Public Service Superannuation Plan member on or after January 1, 2013.
Information on exact TSM payments in weeks’ pay by year of service can be found in the WFAD (Appendix C).
Option C: Educational Allowance (+ TSM)
When choosing this option, the employee receives the TSM cash payment plus reimbursement of up to $17,000 as an Educational Allowance for receipted expenses for tuition fees, costs of books and relevant equipment.
The Employee has the opportunity to go on leave without pay (LWOP) for a maximum of two years rather than resign and receive severance, where they can continue to contribute to the pension plans and participate in benefits plans (they must pay the employee and employer portions).
However, you are not eligible for a pension reduction waiver under Option C