Our HOOPP DB Advocacy team ran DB campaigns during the week of September 11, 2017 across the province, with stops at the University Health Network, The Ottawa Hospital, and Peterborough Regional Health Centre. Our friends in the UK made a similar, four-week tour of the UK.

In both cases, the goal was to build awareness of the importance and value of workplace pensions. Pensions support adequate retirement income, equipping seniors with greater financial independence. Studies have shown that DB pensioners contribute a whopping $27 billion each year here in Ontario alone – spending that helps create employment and boosts the economy. These pensioners also pay their taxes, supporting local and provincial government efforts.

Research also shows DB pensioners are far less likely to need government assistance, such as the Guaranteed Income Supplement, than seniors without pensions.

At a time when adequate pensions are hard to come by in the workplace, both HOOPP and Pension Geeks wanted to stress their importance. Without adequate pensions, people have to save on their own for retirement, a task that is difficult to do given the record high levels of personal debt in Canada.

Both HOOPP (our Twitter handle is @HOOPPnow) and the Pension Geeks (theirs is @PensionGeeks) shared their experiences on Twitter throughout the week!

It’s not too late to join us. We encourage our ambassadors to retweet, like, or reply to the tweets from HOOPP and the Pension Geeks. Share your own thoughts on the value of pensions. Let’s spread the word, and in doing so, help ensure that more people are able to enjoy a secure, enjoyable retirement!