You can still get a defined benefit pension with these Vancouver employers
Saving for retirement can seem like a distant dream in Vancouver, where covering the day-to-day bills is often a struggle in and of itself.
But like it or not, time is passing for all of us, and come retirement age, having a pension or retirement savings over and above the government’s allowance allows for more peace of mind.
Defined benefit pensions, once common in our parents’ or grandparents’ time, are becoming rarer. Many jobs don’t offer any kind of retirement help. Others may match RRSP contributions, but maximum contributions aren’t always high — sometimes maxing out between two and five per cent.
But some jobs still exist that offer the gold standard — a defined benefit pension. This type of retirement vehicle pays individuals a set amount monthly from time of retirement until they die. The exact amount is based on the number of years worked and the highest average salary.
There are several common pension plans operating in B.C., including the College Pension Plan, Municipal Pension Plan, Public Service Pension Plan, Teachers’ Pension Plan, and WorkSafeBC.
In these plans, employees’ salary contributions, along with employer matches, are lumped together and managed by actuaries. An actuary is a professional with special training in finance, complex mathematics, and risk theory — they’re experts on growing pension funds.
“For many of the members I’ve spoken with, being part of the Municipal Pension Plan significantly reduces the stress of planning for retirement,” Chelsea Kittleson, executive director or the Municipal Pension Board of Trustees, told Daily Hive.
She also said they are always happy to hear from employers in B.C. who are interested in joining the plan.
“New members and employers make the plan even stronger.”
Pensions are known for being a hallmark of public-sector employers such as municipalities and school boards. But several other employers also participate. Take a look at this list for job-hunting inspiration that takes your future into account.
United Way
Workers for this charity organization, including workers with its 211 support phone line, get set pension payments when they retire.
AgeCare
This organization operates several care homes in B.C., including the Arbutus Care Centre and Lakeview Centre in Vancouver.
BC Hydro
The province’s utility provider offers workers a different defined benefit pension that still gives set monthly payments for life.
BC Emergency Health Services
This organization hires paramedics and other ambulance staff in B.C.
Britannia Lodge
This facility provides mental health care in a comfortable and home-like environment.
Association of Neighbourhood Houses of B.C.
Oversees eight neighbourhood houses and operates more than 500 community programs.
Nurses and Nurse Practitioners of British Columbia
This organization represents all types of nurses working in the province.
Atira Women’s Resource Society
Atira supports women and children fleeing violence by providing supportive housing.
Battered Women’s Support Services Association (BWSS)
This Vancouver organization helps women who’ve survived domestic, sexual, and intimate partner violence.
BC Cancer Foundation
The fundraising partner of BC is the largest philanthropic funder of cancer care and research in the province.
BC Centre for Ability
This organization provides community-based services for children and youth with special needs.
BC Council for Families
This non-profit provides support and training for families on topics including mental health, parenting teens, and managing risk.
BC Family Hearing Resource Society
This organization provides support, education, and sign language instruction for families of children who are deaf or hard of hearing.
Switch BC
Formerly the BC Health Care Occupational Health and Safety Society, this agency focuses on supporting people working in healthcare.
BC Public Service
The BC Public Service comprises of government workers for the provincial government.
BC Indigenous Housing Society
This Vancouver-based organization provides safe and attainable housing to more than 1,000 Indigenous families living in B.C.
BCIT
This college offers practical applied education and has plenty of openings for faculty and staff positions.
BC Public School Employers’ Association
This union supports the public education sector in maintaining schools as safe and healthy workplaces.
BC Retired Teachers’ Association
This association liaises with retired teachers in the province and advocates for their concerns and well-being.
BC School Superintendents Association
This downtown Vancouver organization helps with professional development and leadership in public education.
BC School Trustees Association
This group advocates for the 60 democratically elected school board trustees in B.C.
BC Teachers’ Federation
This advocacy body supports the 50,000+ teachers working in B.C.
BC Women’s Health Foundation
A non-profit dedicated to advancing women’s and newborn health in B.C.
BCNET
A research and education network connecting staff and faculty in post-secondary.
Blenheim Lodge
A long-term care residence on Vancouver’s West Side.
The Bloom Group
This group responds to the most urgent needs of Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside.
Braddan Private Hospital
This Kitsilano nursing home provides care for residents in an ocean-side setting.
Britannia Community Services Centre
This centre in East Vancouver operates in collaboration with the Vancouver School Board, Vancouver Public Library Board, and City of Vancouver to deliver community programming.
BC College of Nurses and Midwives
This organization represents nursing and midwifery professionals in B.C.
BC College of Social Workers
The BCCSW provides guidance for ethical and competent social work practice.
Children’s Hospital Foundation
This charitable organization supports BC Children’s Hospital in Vancouver.
BC Schizophrenia Society
BCSS supports families and advocates for people who live with schizophrenia and other severe and persistent mental illnesses.
Broadway Lodge
A long-term care home in Vancouver’s False Creek neighbourhood.
Canadian Mental Health Association, BC Division
This charity collective responds to the most pressing mental health priorities in the province and across Canada.
CUPE BC
This is one of the largest unions in the province, representing more than 100,000 members.
Canuck Place Children’s Hospice
This Vancouver charity supports families of terminally ill children.
Villa Carital
An East Vancouver long-term care home that cares for seniors.
Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Vancouver
Founded during the Great Depression, this body of Catholic charities continues to provide community services, including shelters for homeless men, services for incarcerated people, and a refugee sponsorship program.
Children’s Hearing and Speech Centre of BC
This clinical education centre in East Vancouver provides listening and spoken language therapy to children with hearing loss.
Central City Lodge
This downtown Vancouver has 100 spaces for long-term care residents and 22 spaces for people in addiction recovery.
City of Vancouver
The municipal government employs thousands of workers, from recreation positions to engineers.
Coast Foundation Society
This community health union is part of the Hospital Employees Union.
College of Complementary Health Professionals of BC
This organization represents massage therapists, chiropractors, naturopaths and acupuncturists.
College of Health and Care Professionals of BC
This college regulates audiologists, dietitians, hearing instrument practitioners, occupational therapists, opticians, optometrists, physical therapists, psychologists, and speech-language pathologists.
College of Pharmacists of BC
This college regulates pharmacies and pharmacy professionals.
Community Builders
This agency provides safe, supportive, and affordable housing in Vancouver.
Community Legal Assistance Society
CLAS is a non-profit law firm serving clients who are disadvantaged or face discrimination.
Community Social Services Employers’ Association of BC
A multi-employer union that does collective bargaining and provides other human resources services for publicly-funded employees in the social services sector.
Crossreach
This organization supports aging adults in Vancouver to live independently.
Downtown Eastside Women’s Centre
This non-profit provides meals, housing, safe washrooms, advocacy, and other help to women who live or work in the Downtown Eastside.
Dr. Peter Centre
This non-profit provides clinical care, mental health support, and other services for people living with HIV/AIDS and other health challenges in Vancouver.
E-COMM Emergency Communications
Working here means you’ll help support 911 calls and rapid assignment of emergency services across the province.
Elizabeth Bagshaw Clinic
This Vancouver clinic provides reproductive and abortion care.
Emily Carr University of Art and Design
This East Vancouver post-secondary institution fosters creativity through design, digital, and fine arts programs.
Everywoman’s Health Centre
This Vancouver clinic provides abortion and other sexual health services.
Family Services of Greater Vancouver
This non-profit hosts programs to support families, including counselling, parent education, and mediation.
Federation of Post-Secondary Educators of BC
This organization advocates for the 10,000 or so faculty and staff working at universities and other post-secondary institutions in the province.
First Nations Health Authority
This province-wide agency manages the delivery of healthcare to Indigenous people living in B.C.
Focused Education Resources
This Vancouver-based non-profit supports schools by offering resources for kindergarten to Grade 12 education.
German-Canadian Benevolent Society of BC
This society operates a 132-bed care home in South Vancouver.
Government Finance Officers Association of BC
This organization supports local governments in B.C. with finance management.
Greater Vancouver Community Services Society
This Vancouver non-profit supports seniors and people with disabilities to help them live independently.
H.R. MacMillan Space Centre Society
This charity helps educate, inspire, and evoke a sense of wonder about the universe by supporting the H.R. MacMillan Space Centre in Vancouver.
Haro Park Centre
This campus of care in the West End provides assisted living, residential care, and independent housing so seniors can age in place.
Health and Home Care Society of BC
This non-profit supports seniors and caregivers.
Health Employers Association of BC
This organization represents more than 200 publicly funded health-care employers. It helps negotiate major provincial agreements for its members.
Healthcare Benefit Trust
This organization provides and administers health and welfare benefits to nearly 130,000 employees working in health and social services in B.C.
Louis Brier Home and Hospital
This South Vancouver care home is home to more than 200 residents.
Justice Education Society
This Vancouver non-profit seeks to promote human rights and improve access to justice.
Sanford Housing Society
A non-profit providing below-market homes for singles and families who don’t require other support services.
Kiwassa Neighbourhood House
A community program provider in Hastings-Sunrise.
Langara
This college in South Vancouver welcomes more than 19,000 students to classes every year.
Langara College Faculty Association
An association representing instructors and teachers at Langara College.
L’Chaim Adult Day Centre
This Vancouver organization operates programming for seniors.
Legal Services Society of BC
This society operates Crown Corporation Legal Aid BC to provide legal information, advice, and representation to people experiencing barriers to accessing the legal system.
Lord Tennyson Out-of-School Care
This non-profit operates childcare services out of an elementary school in Vancouver.
Michael Smith Health Research BC
This Vancouver-based organization supports health research to improve health and health care in the province and beyond.
Migrant Workers Centres BC
This Vancouver non-profit is dedicated to legal advocacy for migrant workers in B.C.
Milieu Children and Family Services
This Vancouver non-profit supports youth and families for a sense of belonging.
Mount Pleasant Childcare
This Mount Pleasant organization has a daycare and toddler program.
MPA — Motivation, Power & Achievement Society
A Vancouver organization providing housing support to people experiencing mental health challenges.
Municipal Insurance Association of B.C.
This Vancouver-headquartered organization is an insurance pool owned by participating local governments from across B.C.
Open Door Group
A Vancouver organization helping people with mental health challenges find meaningful work.
Optima Living
An operator of independent living, assisted living, supportive living, long-term care, and memory care communities in B.C. and Alberta.
Pacific Community Resource Society
Initially created as Nisha Children’s Society, this group provides education, housing, employment, mental health, and family support.
Pacific Legal Education OutreachÂ
A legal clinic for artists that strives to empower artists and non-profits to access justice.
Pacific National Exhibition
The PNE operates Playland, Fright Nights, and the PNE Fair in Hastings Park.
Pacifica Treatment Centre
A Vancouver treatment centre for people dealing with substance use challenges.
PHS Community Services Society
A charity providing housing and harm reduction services.
Post-Secondary Employers’ Association
PSEA acts as the employers’ bargaining agent in contract negotiations. It represents public colleges, teaching universities, and institutes in B.C.
Providence Health Care Society
A charitable organization that provides health care, geriatric rehabilitation, and continuing care.
Providence Living
A faith-based senior care organization established by Providence Health Care.
Provincial Health Services Authority
A health authority providing specialized health services throughout B.C.
RainCity Housing
Provides housing and support programs to more than 2,000 people in the Lower Mainland and Sunshine Coast.
RayCam Co-operative Centre
A community-run service centre in Strathcona that runs childcare programs, summer camps, and more.
St. Paul’s Foundation
This charity supports St. Paul’s Hospital in downtown Vancouver.
SUCCESS Multi-Level Care Society
A Vancouver organization providing care for seniors allowing them to age in place.
Vancouver School Board
The Vancouver School Board employs teachers and other educators as well as support staff.
The Children’s Foundation
This organization helps children thrive when they’re facing complex challenges.
Elizabeth Fry Society of Greater Vancouver
A community organization supporting women, girls, and children who are affected by the justice system.
Little Mountain Neighbourhood House
This Vancouver community hub provides help settlement help for new arrivals, English language classes, and child care.
The Kettle Society
A Vancouver organization supporting people living in poverty or who are homeless with mental health, substance use, housing, and employment help.
Kopernik Lodge
A long-term care home in Vancouver.
Three Links Care Centre
Provides affordable and quality residential care for seniors and older adults with special needs.
Vancouver Coastal Health
The health authority for Vancouver, North Vancouver, Richmond, and surrounding communities employs both clinicians and support staff.
Vancouver Community College
A downtown Vancouver post-secondary institution with a variety of programs from design to business to culinary arts.
Vancouver Elementary and Adult Educators’ Society
A labour organization that works with the BC Teachers’ Federation.
Vancouver Firefighters Local 18
The labour union representing firefighters in Vancouver.
Vancouver Hospice Society
This team of professionals, staff, and volunteers provide compassionate end-of-life and bereavement care out of an eight-bed facility.
Vancouver and Lower Mainland Multicultural Family Support Services Society
A non-profit organization dedicated to ending family and intimate partner violence.
Vancouver Maritime Museum Society
Supports the Kitsilano museum and educates visitors on the history of the waters that surround Vancouver.
Vancouver Museum Society
Supports the Museum of Vancouver, a civic history museum illuminating the city’s past.
Vancouver Police Union
A union representing front-line police officers, jail guards, and special constables.
Vantage Point Strategies Society
An organization providing training and resources for B.C.’s nonprofit sector.
VRS Communities
This community organization works to secure accessible housing for people with disabilities and seniors.
WISH Drop-in Centre Society
This agency works to improve the health, safety and well-being of women in Vancouver’s street-based sex trade.
WorkSafeBC
This provincial agency keeps workplaces safe and deals with workplace injury claims.
Yaletown House Society
A long-term care facility for seniors and older adults.
Curious about employers in other cities that offer a defined benefit pension? Here’s a list of all the employers that participate in the Municipal Pension Plan. This list isn’t exhaustive — there are other employers that are part of different pension plans, too.