Retirement

All teachers under contract with school jurisdictions and charter schools in Alberta are required to contribute to their pension plan, as per the Teachers’ Pension Plans Act. The Alberta Teachers’ Retirement Fund (ATRF) administers these plans.   

It’s never too early to think about retirement

Retiring is one of the most important decisions you will make—start planning as early as you can!

Retirement workshops

The ATA offers several workshops about retirement and financial planning. These workshops occur throughout each school year and are listed on the events calendar

Early Service Teachers: Understand Your Pension

Online evening workshop

This evening retirement information session offers general information on the Alberta teachers’ pension plan, planning personal savings, Federal benefits and other retirement income sources for early service teachers. The session’s focus is on forward planning early in a teacher’s career, while emphasizing debt reduction and savings planning. Pension partners are also encouraged to attend.

Stay tuned for dates in the 2025-26 school year.

Pre-Retirement Workshop

Full-day Saturday sessions

Together, teachers and their pension partner will explore planning for retirement, the changing character of retirement and the process of making important decisions. Teachers will learn about financial and lifestyle planning before, during and after retirement from a teacher’s perspective. They will investigate various aspects of retiring, including building a financial plan, the Alberta Teachers’ Pension Plan, wills and estates, benefits and lifestyle planning for a successful and rewarding retirement.

Workshops for 2025-26 appear below. NOTE: a link to register will be posted here and in Events approximately one month prior to each workshop date.

November 15 - Calgary Catholic teachers only
November 29 - Edmonton Public teachers only
December 6 - All regions' teachers
January 10 - Edmonton Catholic teachers only
January 24 - All regions' teachers
January 31 - Calgary Public teachers only
February 7 - All regions' teachers

Retirement Planning for Women

Online workshop

This session will focus on retirement planning for female teachers. Women and men face different challenges in their lives, and those challenges can have financial consequences. Women live longer, which means they will likely spend more years alone; therefore, they will need more retirement savings, so they don’t outlive their money. Teachers will have the opportunity to engage in an interactive workshop, which aims to improve women’s financial literacy and confidence.

Stay tuned for dates in the 2025-26 school year.

Financial Wellness with Capital Planning and MNP Debt Management

Online workshops

Stay tuned for dates in the 2025-26 school year. 

Considering early retirement?

Find out what Alberta School Employee Benefit Plan (ASEBP) benefits you’re eligible for.

Read more

One year from your planned retirement date

Start planning with ATRF

Get information on pension amount, eligibility, and when you can retire

Contact ATRF

120 to 45 days prior to retirement

Review and complete the Steps to Retirement checklist

  • Before you apply for your pension, you must resign from your teaching contract. The Education Act requires you to give your employer at least 30 days’ written notice of your intention to resign. The 30 days’ notice must be received during the school year. If you intend to retire by August 31, you must give your notice by June 1.
  • Apply for retiree benefits from one of the retiree plans: ASEBP or the Alberta Retired Teachers’ Association (ARTA). If your division offers another retirement plan, do your own comparison of the plans to choose the best one that suits your needs. Please note that most benefits providers require 45–50 days for this process. You cannot complete the benefits application without involving your employer.
  • Contact ATRF to apply for your pension. Applications are processed in the order received, so you are encouraged to submit your application as early as possible but no more than 120 days before your pension commencement date.