A passion for better pensions and employee engagement makes this employer a top choice
As one of Canada’s fastest-growing defined benefit (DB) pension plans, the CAAT Pension Plan fosters a collaborative, growth-oriented culture where an employee’s career starts on Day 1. The organization has grown from 84 to over 500 employees in the past five years while maintaining an inclusive and welcoming environment.
Benefits and Pensions Monitor recognized CAAT as a Top Employer of 2024, highlighting a workplace praised by its engaged workforce for ensuring everyone feels valued and empowered to do their best work as they celebrate successes together.
Employees rated the organization an average of 83 percent across crucial satisfaction criteria, including retirement plans, work-life balance, flexible work options, and health and wellness programs.
Employees emphasized the following:
- “The culture and work-life balance are exceptional. I feel comfortable and confident coming into work and enjoy interacting with my team and people from other teams. CAAT has done a great job at hiring people that fit the organization’s culture.”
- “CAAT listens to its employees, offers opportunities for growth and development, and provides a great product for Canadians after retirement. My leadership team supports me, and I am positioned to grow professionally and personally.”
- “The culture is amazing. Everyone is focused on the organization’s mission and teamwork. CAAT is a diverse and inclusive organization that encourages everyone to bring their whole self to work and contribute their unique talents and ideas to achieve our mission of pensions for everyone.”
- “The CAAT culture is second to none. Communication between employee groups and leadership is clear and aligned. The message is always consistent, whether from our CEO or direct manager.”
With a reputation for embracing growth as a way of life and work, offering opportunities for adaption, innovation, and learning, CAAT hired and onboarded 157 full-time new hires and 58 co-op students, converting eight students into permanent ‘CAATsters,’ just last year alone.
“I strongly believe our culture distinguishes us and helps us outperform other organizations,” chief human resources officer Julie Giraldi says. “We focus on engagement, culture, and purpose because engaged, inspired employees are more productive and passionate about their work. They believe in and are inspired by our shared purpose, and each helps us deliver on our strategic plan.”
Since its inception in 1967, the CAAT Pension Plan has operated as an independent, jointly governed plan offering two DB pension designs. Its award-winning DBplus plan design is leading an extraordinary pace of growth.
Created initially to support the Ontario college system, the CAAT Plan now serves more than 500 and growing participating employers in 20 industries, including the for-profit, non-profit, and broader public sectors. The CAAT Plan is respected for its pension and investment management expertise and focus on stability and benefit security. On January 1, 2024, the Plan was 124 percent funded on a going-concern basis.
“A passion for improving retirement income security for Canadians is at the core of our organization because expanding access to good pensions is better for Canadians and society,” remarks CEO and plan manager Derek Dobson.
Guided by its core values of integrity, teamwork, and impact, the top employer achieved the milestone of attaining 100,000 members in April 2024, a goal surpassed earlier than planned.
