When deciding on how much and how often you would like to contribute, note that the $35 annual administration fee is not prorated and the full amount applies to your AVC account regardless of the number of months contributed for the year. Keep this in mind when considering the amount, start date and frequency of your contributions.
There are two ways to contribute to an AVC account:
The fund transfer option is available to members during the annual AVC Transfer-in Window from January 1 to June 30 of each year, until the year you turn 70. Fund transfers to your AVC account may come from an RRSP, a locked-in retirement account (LIRA) or other registered retirement vehicles.
You can transfer funds to your AVC account during the Transfer-in Window through myOMERS or by completing AVC Fund Transfer - Form 402:
Automatic contributions are available if you are a working member. They're easy to set up and:
Are automatically withdrawn via pre-authorized debit or payroll deduction if your employer offers the AVC payroll deduction option*
Are subject to minimum and maximum contribution limits (published by OMERS each year)
Are tax-deductible in the year they are made
*OMERS employers can choose to offer the AVC payroll deduction option.
You can start, change or stop automatic contributions to your AVC account either through myOMERS or by completing the AVC Automatic Contributions Registration Form:
Members making automatic contributions can make a payment to catch up on their automatic contributions for the year.
You may be able to make a catch-up payment if:
You started automatic contributions part-way through the year; or
You’ve been contributing less than your biweekly or monthly maximum
Catch-up payments can be made online through myOMERS or by completing the AVC Catch-Up Payment form:
AVC automatic contributions are subject to Income Tax Act limits. To reduce the likelihood of over-contributing, OMERS has established automatic contribution limits. These limits are based on contributory earnings and credited service, and take into account the pension adjustment (PA) reporting rules under the Income Tax Act. Please note that you cannot use your accumulated RRSP room to make AVC contributions. The following automatic contribution limits apply:
Contributory earnings | Biweekly maximum (26 debits per year) | Monthly maximum (12 debits per year) |
|---|---|---|
Less than $4,445.00 | $0.00 | $0.00 |
$4,445.00 - $11,522.00 | $20.00 | $40.00 |
$11,523.00 - $19,749.00 | $38.46 | $83.33 |
$19,750.00 - $27,983.00 | $57.69 | $125.00 |
$27,984.00 - $36,211.00 | $76.92 | $166.67 |
$36,212.00 - $44,444.00 | $96.15 | $208.33 |
$44,445.00 - $177,430.00 | $115.38 | $250.00 |
Over $177,430.00 | $20.00 | $40.00 |
The limits were calculated using the 2026 year’s maximum pensionable earnings (YMPE).
Reminder: Your PAs from participating in the Plan (in respect of your defined benefit pension and your AVC automatic contributions) reduce your RRSP contribution room for the following year.
Sign in to myOMERS to set up an AVC account. If you don’t have a myOMERS account, creating one is easy! All you need is your email address or phone number and date of birth.
Take the time to learn more about AVCs and how they may fit into your financial plan for retirement by carefully reviewing the information in the Additional Voluntary Contributions (AVCs) Guide, the Terms of Participation and AVC Fact Sheet to decide whether OMERS AVCs are right for you. You can also consult a qualified financial adviser you trust.
When registering for an OMERS AVC account, you will need to confirm that you have read the Additional Voluntary Contributions (AVCs) Guide, Terms of Participation and the AVC Fact Sheet.
Visit myOMERS to start contributing to your AVC account. If you are a working member, you can make automatic contributions via pre-authorized debit or see if your employer has elected to offer the payroll deduction option. Alternatively, you can contact OMERS Member Experience or your HR and payroll department.
As explained above you can also make a fund transfer during the Transfer-in Window via myOMERS.
Explore the different options for withdrawing funds from your AVC account.
If you return from a leave, you may be able to purchase that leave to add to your OMERS credited service.
If you belonged to another registered pension plan before OMERS, you may be able to transfer that service to the OMERS Plan.