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Registered Plans Directorate Newsletter, no. 95-2R1
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Basic request: | Answer during the first call |
Simple request: | Call back with answer within one working day |
Complex request: | Call back with answer within two working days |
Very complex request: | Call back with answer within two working days, or tell caller to submit the enquiry in writing if it goes beyond the scope of telephone advice |
Written enquiries
We deal with all written enquiries that relate to any of our processing operations on a first-in-first-out basis. We also receive a large volume of correspondence on other issues of either a general or case-specific nature. Our current service delivery standard is to reply within 60 days and to meet this standard 80 % of the time. Please mail written enquiries to the address specified in section 5, "How to contact us."
Pension plan registration
The registration process occurs in two distinct stages: deemed registration and registration.
Registered pension plan termination
We have published two newsletters outlining policies that are designed to streamline the termination process. Please follow the recommendations we make in Newsletters 94-3, "Using Assumptions to Compute the Present Value of Benefits," and 94-4, "Wind-Up Valuation Report."
Although our previous standard for reviewing a request to terminate a plan was 180 days, the pension industry told us that reviewing amendments to registered pension plans should take precedence over plan termination. Therefore, our current service standard is to complete a request for termination within one year and to achieve this goal 85% of the time.
Registered pension plan amendments
A large part of the correspondence we receive deals with amendments to registered pension plans. Our standard for reviewing amendments to registered pension plans is nine months, with the goal of achieving this standard 80% of the time.
Eligible contributions
One of the responsibilities of our Actuarial Division is to analyse requests for eligibility and deductibility of contributions to defined benefit plans. We review the actuarial valuation report only after the plan has been registered or the amendment to the plan has been accepted. Our service standard for completing this review is nine months from the time we receive the actuarial valuation report or, if applicable, the registration of the plan documents or approval of the plan amendment. Our goal is to achieve this standard 80 % of the time.
Retirement savings plans
Issuers cannot market a retirement savings plan until the specimen plan has been approved. Therefore, we consider these plans to be a priority. Our standard is to review requests to approve a new retirement savings plan specimen, or to amend or terminate an existing specimen, in 60 days. Our goal is to achieve this standard 80 % of the time.
Retirement income funds
Retirement income funds are treated similarly to retirement savings plans. Our service delivery standard for approval, amendment, and termination of these specimen plans is 60 days, with a goal of meeting this standard 80 % of the time.
Education savings plans
Since promoters cannot market these plans until we have approved the specimen plan, we consider these plans to be a priority. Our service standard for approval, amendment, and termination of these specimen plans is 60 days, with a goal of meeting this standard 85 % of the time.
Deferred profit sharing plans
When we receive an application for registration, we review the plan in detail to ensure that the plan complies with prescribed conditions and requirements of the Act. Our standard for registering a new plan and determining that it meets the requirements of the legislation is 180 days, with a goal of meeting this standard 80 % of the time.
Deferred profit sharing plan amendments and terminations
Part of the correspondence we receive deals with amendments to and the termination of deferred profit sharing plans. Our standard for reviewing amendments to and terminations of deferred profit sharing plans is 9 months, with the goal of achieving this standard 80 % of the time.
Registered Plans Directorate Standards
The following table summarizes our services, service delivery standards, and goals in meeting these standards.
Service |
Standard |
Goal |
Basic call |
Immediate response |
100% |
Simple call |
Within one working day |
100% |
Complex call |
Within two working days |
100% |
Very complex call |
Within two working days or may be asked to submit the enquiry in writing |
100% |
Written enquiry |
60 days |
80% |
Deemed registration |
60 days |
85% |
Registration of pension plan |
180 days |
85% |
Termination of registered pension plan |
1 year |
85% |
Registered pension plan amendments |
9 months |
80% |
Approval of eligible contributions |
9 months |
80% |
Retirement savings plan specimen |
60 days |
80% |
Retirement income fund specimen |
60 days |
80% |
Education savings plans |
60 days |
85% |
Deferred profit sharing plan registration |
180 days |
80% |
Deferred profit sharing plan amendment and termination |
9 months |
80% |
Note: You can help us process your submission faster by making sure that it complies with the law, is clearly worded, and contains all the necessary accompanying documents.
By telephone
You can reach the Registered Plans Directorate at the following telephone numbers:
General enquiries - English | (613) 954-0419 | |
General enquiries - French | (613) 954-0930 | |
Pension adjustment (PA) enquiries - | English English, toll free |
(613) 954-5102 1-800-267-3100 |
Pension adjustment (PA) enquiries - | French French, toll free |
(613) 954-5104 1-800-267-5565 |
Our enquiry lines are open Monday to Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. eastern time. Clients who wish to contact the Directorate after 5 p.m. may leave a message on our voice mail system.
In writing
Please send written enquiries or submissions for registered plans to:
Registered Plans Directorate
Canada Revenue Agency
45 Sacré-Coeur Boulevard, 3rd floor
Gatineau QC K1A 0L5
Fax: (613) 952-0199
Mailed and faxed submissions receive the same priority.
We welcome your feedback on this newsletter. Please send your comments or suggestions to the attention of the Director General of the Registered Plans Directorate, at the above address.
List of Newsletters
Available from the Registered Plans Directorate
(Web site link)
Number |
Name |
03-3 |
Joint annual Information Return - New Participating Pension Supervisory Authority |
01-3 |
Tailored Individual Pension Plans (TIPPs) |
01-2 |
Joint Annual Information Return - New Participating Pension Supervisory Authorities |
01-1 |
Organizational Changes |
00-1 |
Foreign Service Newsletter Update (Revisions to 93-2) |
99-1 |
Proportionality Condition for Pre-1990 Pension Benefits |
98-2 |
Treating Excess Member Contributions Under a Registered Pension Plan |
98-1 |
Simplified Pension Plans |
96-3 |
Flexible Pension Plans |
96-2 |
Waiving the Requirement to File a Registered Pension Plan Annual Information Return for an Inactive Plan |
96-1 |
Changes to Retirement Savings Limits |
- |
Quebec Simplified Pension Plans |
95-6 |
Specimen Pension Plans - Speeding up the Process |
95-5 |
Conversion of a Defined Benefit Provision to a Money Purchase Provision |
95-4 |
New Filing Requirements for the Registered Pension Plan Annual Information Return |
95-3 |
Actuarial Report Content |
95-2R1 |
Registered Plans Directorate Services |
95-1 |
New Approach to Plan Registration |
94-5 |
Exhibit 1, Plan Administrators' Past Service Pension Adjustment Guide |
94-4 |
Wind-Up Valuation Report |
94-3 |
Using Assumption to Compute the Present Value of Benefits |
94-2 |
Technical Questions and Answers |
94-1 |
Preferred Language for Pension Reform Updates |
93-5 |
Surplus Allocation on Termination or Conversion of a Defined Benefit Provision |
93-4 |
Exception to filing Amendments for the Income Tax Act and Regulations |
93-3 |
Service in Canada |
93-2 |
Foreign Service Newsletter |
93-1 |
Special Release - Filing Deadline Reminder |
92-12 |
Commutation and Opting Out of a Pension Plan |
92-11 |
Maximum Pension Limits |
92-10 |
Special Release - Extension of Filing Deadline for Amendments to Registered Pension Plans to Comply with the Legislation |
92-9 |
Downsizing Programs |
92-8R |
Eligible Service |
92-7 |
Pre-Reform Early Retirement Provisions and Post-Retirement Indexing |
92-6 |
Pre-Reform Disability and Bridging Benefits |
92-5 |
Pre-Reform Death Benefits |
92-4 |
Special Release - Extension of Filing Deadline for 1991 T244, Registered Pension Plan Annual Information Return |
92-3 |
Annual Information Return (T244 Rev. 92) |
92-2 |
Definition of Spouse |
92-1 |
Actuarial Valuation Reports (Cancelled-Replaced by 95-3) |
91-5 |
Special Release (Revision to parts of 91-5) |
91-5 |
Transitional Rules and Other Administrative Issues for Pension Plans |
91-4R |
Registration Rules for Money Purchase Provisions |
91-3 |
Registered Pension Plan Forms |
91-2 |
Annual Information Return (T244) |
91-1 |
Transitional Registration Rules for Pension Plans |
90-1 |
Bulletin - Bill C-52 |
89-1 |
Transitional Registration Rules for Pension Plans |
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Date modified: 2004-03-31 |
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