1. MEMBERSHIP
The membership of this Committee shall be appointed by the Board of Governors and shall consist of the following voting members:
- The Vice-President, Academic & Provost
- The Vice-President, Administration & Finance
- Two members of the Board of Governors from among the seventeen (17) Board members appointed by the Lieutenant Governor-in-Council or elected by the Board from the community-at-large.
- Two members appointed on the recommendation of the President of the University of Waterloo.
- Three members of the regular faculty appointed on the recommendation of the President of the UW Faculty Association.
- Two members of the regular University Support Staff appointed on the recommendation of the President of the UW Staff Association.
- One member of the unionized staff appointed on the recommendation of the President of CUPE Local 793.
- One retiree who is receiving a University of Waterloo pension, appointed on the recommendation of the President of the UW Retirees Association.
In addition, a non-voting member representing the Colleges shall be appointed by the Board of Governors on the recommendation of the College Heads.
The normal term of office shall be three years, renewable once.
The Chair of the Committee shall be appointed from among the committee membership by the Board of Governors on the recommendation of the Governance Committee.
2. MEETINGS
The Committee normally meets monthly from September through June; additional meetings are called as required.
3. TERMS OF REFERENCE
The Committee shall have full power to administer employee pension and benefits plans approved by the Board, such power to include, but not limited to, the following:
- to make and enforce such rules and regulations as it shall deem necessary for the effective and efficient administration of the pension plan and to decide all questions concerning the pension plan, including who is eligible to participate
- to prepare accounts and records showing the detailed operation of the pension plan and to make an annual report to the Board of Governors
- to review the annual audit of the Pension Plan Fund Financial Statements
- to appoint a consulting actuary and to commission research on pension or benefits
- to recommend changes in pension and benefits plans to keep them current with respect to other universities and major employers, being mindful of the financial context in which the University operates
- to make policy decisions relevant to administration of benefits plans and to periodically adjust plans as required to comply with legislation, changes in medical fee schedules, changes in insurance premiums due to changing experience ratings or other causes, creation of new categories of employees and other such changes required to keep benefit plans current
- to recommend to the Board the appointment of custodians / trustees and fund managers
- to recommend to the Board for approval investment policy as described in the Statement of Investment Policies and Procedures
Note:
[1] The Finance & Investment Committee will assist, advise and review on matters related to the appointment of the custodians / trustees and fund managers and investment policy. When the Pension & Benefits Committee is selecting a fund manager, the Chairs of the Finance & Investment Committee and of the Pension & Benefits Committee consult and reach agreement on the selection process of the fund manager as well as the extent to which the Finance & Investment Committee will act as a resource to the Pension & Benefits Committee.
[2] The Human Resources Department has day-to-day responsibility for administering the benefits plans.
[3] The Board of Governors on 30 October 2018 approved the delegation of specific powers and responsibilities of the Pension & Benefits Committee to the Pension Investment Committee for the latter to be established as the operational locus of control for matters pertaining to the management of investment assets of the pension plan, as follows: (1) to review annually the Statement of Investments Policies and Procedures, and to recommend any amendments to the Board of Governors through the Pension & Benefits Committee; (2) to review and recommend the selection/termination of investment managers to the Pension & Benefits Committee for further recommendation to the Board of Governors; (3) to review and report on investment manager performance at least annually to the Finance Investment Committee and the Pension & Benefits Committee; (4) to approve asset mix changes and investment decisions within the list of approved investment managers where the cumulative transactions(s) represent less than 15% of the pension plans total assets at the beginning of the calendar year, and to make recommendations to the Pension and Benefits Committee on asset mix changes where the cumulative transaction(s) represent more than 15% of the pension plans' total assets at the beginning of the calendar year, for further recommendation to the Board of Governors;(5) to review reports from the Pension & Benefits Committee including but not limited to the annual valuation of the pension plan, investment-related risk/return assessments, and asset-liability studies.
4. GENERAL PROVISIONS
Members of the Committee may participate in the benefits under the pension plan provided they are otherwise eligible to do so. Except as otherwise provided by the Board of Governors of the University, no member of the Committee shall receive any compensation for services. No bond or other security shall be required of any member of the Committee in such capacity in any jurisdiction, except as expressly required by law.
In administering the pension plan neither the Committee, or any member thereof, nor the Board of Governors of the University, or any member thereof, nor the University, or any officer or employee thereof, shall be liable for any acts of omission or commission, except for his or its own individual, willful and intentional malfeasance or misfeasance. The University and its officers and directors, and each member of the Committee shall be entitled to rely conclusively on all tables, valuations, certificates, opinions and reports which shall be furnished by any actuary, accountant, trustee, counsel or other expert who shall be employed or engaged by the University or the Committee.
Whenever, in the administration of the pension plan, any action by the Committee or the University is required, such action shall be uniform in nature as applied to all persons similarly situated.
Approved by the Board of Governors, June 6, 2006.
Amended by the Board of Governors, April 1, 2008.
Amended by the Board of Governors, October 30, 2018.