AVCs: The Basics

The AVC option is a retirement savings and investment opportunity exclusive to OMERS members.

AVCs are similar in some ways to registered retirement savings arrangements, but they are part of the OMERS Primary Pension Plan and enable members to participate in the OMERS Fund.

The idea for AVCs grew from requests by members to make additional investments with OMERS. An AVC account is in addition to your OMERS pension.

An AVC account is:

• Exclusive to OMERS members
• Invested using the same investment expertise, strategy and diversified fund you rely on for your OMERS pension
• Similar to an RRSP
• Offered on a cost-recovery basis

An AVC account is an attractive option available exclusively to OMERS members, but it may not fit with everyone's investment plan, risk tolerance, cash-flow situation or stage of life. Take the time to learn more about the AVC option and how it may fit your financial plan for retirement. To ensure you make an informed choice, OMERS encourages you to:

• carefully review the information in the booklet, Consider the AVC Option, which contains the Terms of Participation
  • View PDF: In English [958 KB] En Français [996 KB]
• explore the retirement planning tools available through myOMERS
• plan to attend an AVC information session in your area
• seek the counsel of a qualified financial adviser you trust.

For U.S. residents only: Neither the OMERS Primary Pension Plan nor the Additional Voluntary Contribution provision thereof (the AVC Option) is registered with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. They are or may be offered and sold in the U.S. pursuant to an exemption from such registration.

Note: The AVC option is not available to members who are not resident in Canada or the United States.