Registered Pension Plan
The Horsemen’s Benevolent and Protective Association of Ontario (HBPA) began to offer a Registered Pension Plan (the Plan) on January 1st, 1999. The Plan is registered with the Financial Services Regulatory Authority of Ontario (FSRAO) and was designed for backstretch workers to provide them with some financial security when they retire from their career in racing.
What Do I Need To Do To Be Eligible To Enroll In The Pension Plan?
You must meet the following service requirements:
- You must be licensed by the AGCO and work at Woodbine and/or Fort Erie Race Track.
- You must be licensed and working in any of the following jobs: Trainer, Owner/Trainer, Assistant Trainer, Exercise Person, Groom or Hot Walker.
- You must have worked two consecutive years where you have worked 700 or more hours per year or earned more than 35% of the Year’s Maximum Pensionable Earnings (YMPE) per year.
How Do You Join The Pension Plan?
Just complete an enrolment form and return it to one of the HBPA’s offices. After you have completed your enrolment form and your application has been confirmed as eligible by the Pension Committee, your membership in the Plan will begin.
Please note that people 65 and over cannot join the Plan, even if they meet the eligibility requirements. A separate unregistered plan has been created for these individuals.
Keeping Track Of Your Service
In order for our consultants to calculate your pension benefit correctly it is important that the HBPA keep track of your service. Each year participants in the Plan are mailed an Annual Record of Employment Form. You will record all the jobs you had during the year; have it signed by your employer and then return it to one of our offices by January 31st.
A statement of your pension benefits is mailed to you later in the year so that you have an idea of what your pension will be when you retire.
For further information about our Pension Plan please contact the Administrative Office at 416-747-5252 or email us at general@hbpa.on.ca