The Cabinet of the Québec government has appointed Mr. Réjean Bellemare, Mr. Marcel Côté and Mr. Jean Marchand to seats on the Board of Directors of the Régie des rentes du Québec. The Cabinet also re-appointed Ms. Diane Dufresne to another term on the Board.

Ms. Sylvie Barcelo, Vice-President for Organizational Services has been appointed Associate Secretary of the Secrétariat du Conseil du trésor by the Cabinet of the Québec government. She will assume her new responsibilities on 12 January 2004.

We are organizing 5 training sessions for new pension committee members. For further information and to find out how to sign up, consult our folder.

Pensions will be increased by 3,2% in 2004. This rate will be applied to pensions on 1 January 2004.

This subject is important to everyone. You can get a clear idea of all the details, in a series of 6 short articles prepared by our editorial staff.

Our on-line services are now available.

Use RégieNet to keep track of your situation and try CompuPension, our new tool for simulating retirement income.

Changes are being proposed to adapt the Pension Plan to Québec's new realities.

Contribute to a Pension Plan for today's world.

Your opinion counts!

The latest issue of Newsletter Express is now available. It announces a collection of articles on the main principles of sound pension plan management.

Enter Régie cyberspace with Liaison RRQ. Exclusive and in-depth articles, information briefs, investigations, interviews.... So take a look at our first issue, which is entirely dedicated to financial planning for retirement. You'll find out more about this hot topic, which is of interest to everyone. Get your mouse ready and have a good read!

Ms. Jocelyne Lefort has been named Vice-President for Client Services. She replaces Mr. Marc Lacroix, who has been named Assistant Secretary responsible for the coordination of on-line government services at the Secrétariat du Conseil du trésor.

Ms. Lefort and Mr. Lacroix began their new duties on 1 October 2003. We congratulate them both.

Find the address of a daycare centre near you by using the localisateur de services de garde provided by the Ministère de l'Emploi, de la Solidarité sociale et de la Famille.

The service (in French only) has maps showing the location of each centre and is updated every week.

To learn more about the Québec Pension Plan and our programs, take a look at our young adults file, which was published in Mes finances - Ma caisse (French only).

The Québec Pension Plan: it should interest you as well!

You can use our electronic change-of-address form.

Or, if you prefer, simply call us.

Have a look at our results, as compared with our commitments for 2002-2003.

Find out all about the year's activities.

See our Annual Report.

Make your life easier by asking the Régie to make deductions from your pension for income tax purposes.

This will reduce any amounts you would otherwise have to pay when you file your income tax return.

Make your request for income tax deductions now.

The social integration of handicapped people has made great strides in the past 25 years. However, l'Office des personnes handicappées thinks there is still a lot of ground to cover to give them full access to their rightful place in society.  

From 1 to 7 June 2003, the Semaine québécoise des personnes handicapées will give you a chance to learn a bit more about their world.

Have you worked in France or the United States? If you have, you may be entitled to a pension plan from one of those countries.

You can find out more about your rights when a Régie representative visits your region. Please call to make an appointment.

Pension plan administrators should read the latest Newsletter Express for information about the financial situation of defined benefit pension plans that are supervised by the Régie.

The Semaine québécoise des familles will be held from 12 to 18 May 2003.

It is organized by the Comité de la Semaine québécoise des familles.

The Web site has a section set up for the public and another specifically for elementary and high school teachers that proposes a variety of quick, fun-filled activities for students!

We would like to announce the appointment of the ministers responsible for the Régie: Mr. Claude Béchard, Minister of Employment, Social Solidarity and Family Welfare

and Ms. Carole Théberge, Minister for Family Welfare.

On Sunday, 20 April 2003, we will present a segment on the "Y'a plein d'soleil" show, on the TQS network. The topic will be: "What can you do if you disagree with a decision rendered by the Régie". Don't miss it!

Take a look at our List of names!

The Régie has published two new booklets on supplemental pension plans: Understanding Your Pension Plan, Guide for Pension Committee Members and Guide to Pension Plan Termination.

Are you interested in the financial situation of defined benefit pension plans? The Régie has prepared an Analysis on the subject.

Ladies, whether you are employed, self-employed, temporarily at home or a student, this issue of Prospects was prepared with you in mind.

It is full of information about financial planning for retirement to help you prepare wisely for retirement.

Pick up your copy at Communication-Québec or read it on line.

Do you want to know more about the financial situation of defined benefit plans? If so, you can consult the Presentation prepared by the Régie on that subject. (The document is available in French only.)

The Régie has received an honourable mention in the Prix ISO familles 2002-2003, in the category for government departments and public bodies. The award is for achievement in measures to facilitate work-family balance.

Although the Caisse de dépôt et placement had losses in 2002, the reserve of the Québec Pension Plan is sufficient to ensure payment of benefits for a long time. Click for additional information (French only).

Training courses will be given in April (French only).

The courses are designed to help you when you prepare the annual information return.

Have you just started contributing to the Québec Pension Plan? Read our information leaflet to find out about your rights and responsibilities.

New provisions of the Act respecting the Québec Pension Plan mean you can apply for a surviving spouse's pension for a death that occurred on or after 4 April 1985. More info

Would you like to learn a bit more about the various sources of retirement income?

Or would you like to learn about the savings instruments that are available?

See 5 steps for Planning your retirement for more information.

How does a surviving spouse's pension change at age 65? Can a surviving spouse's pension and a retirement pension be received at the same time? Are these pensions reduced if you have other income?

Ms. Mireille Fillion has been appointed to the position of Vice-President for Policy and Programs. She will assume her duties on 3 February 2003.

Ms. Sylvie Barcelo and Mr. Marc Lacroix have been reappointed to their respective positions as Vice-President for Corporate Services and Vice-President for Client Services.

We wish them all much success in their endeavours!

The RRSP season has arrived. Now is the ideal time to begin your financial planning for retirement.

The keys to success: fully understand where your retirement income will come from, begin saving early and save regularly.

That's how you can do your part to start building for retirement...today!

Read our section on Planning your retirement.

On Sunday, 2 February 2003, a representative of the Régie will be on the "Y'a plein d'soleil", show on the TQS television network from 11 a.m. to noon.

When can you begin receiving a retirement pension? What happens if you return to work? Is it more advantageous to start receiving the pension before age 65?

Tune in and find out!

Plan administrators, do you need to amend your plan? The Application for Registration of an Amendment to a Pension Plan has been revised and improved. It is now available on this site.

The start of a new year makes us eager to get into action and do new things. In 2003, some of us will retire and others will begin making plans for retirement.

Are you one of those who thinks that retirement is still far away and that you still have lots of time to think about how you will retire? Maybe you're right. But remember, the secret of a well planned retirement is to save early and often.

All of us at the Régie wish you a happy year 2003!

The reference rate used to calculate the maximum withdrawal from a life income fund is 6% in 2003.