Updated May 2025
Introduction
This privacy notice describes Alberta Pensions Services Corporation's (APS) privacy policies and practices regarding the collection, use, and disclosure of your personal data. It sets forth your privacy rights, including but not limited to, the administration of your pension and use of this website. We recognize that information privacy is an ongoing responsibility; therefore, we will periodically update this privacy notice as we undertake new personal data practices or adopt new privacy policies.
Accountability
APS is the designated pension benefit service provider for multiple pension plans and administers the pensions of their respective members. We are committed to respecting the personal privacy of pension plan members by protecting the personal and financial information entrusted by their pension plans to us and providing responsive and focused member services. APS’ Privacy Office is responsible for APS’ overall privacy governance, and all employees are trained about the importance of confidentiality and maintaining the privacy and security of your personal information. That commitment is fundamental to the way we do business.
Personal Information Collection Notice
Personal information collected within this website and by APS (for the pension plans we administer) is collected for pension administration purposes. It may be used for member communications, website improvement, quality assurance surveys, voluntary focus groups, and improving the member experience. Social insurance numbers will be collected and used for the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) and identification purposes relating to your pension administration. This information is collected under the authority of the following legislative provisions, dependent upon your pension plan:
- Alberta Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (FOIP), section 33 [Provincial Judges and Applications Judges Registered and Unregistered Pension Plans (Judges Pension Plan), Management Employee Pension Plan (MEPP), Public Service Management (Closed Membership) Pension Plan (PSM(CM)PP) and Members of the Legislative Assembly Pension Plan];
- Alberta Public Sector Pension Plans Act, section 9.2 [MEPP, PSM(CM)PP];
- Alberta Joint Governance of Public Sector Pension Plans Act, section 39 of Schedule 3 (Special Forces Pension Plan);
- Alberta Joint Governance of Public Sector Pension Plans Act, section 40 of Schedule 1 (Local Authorities Pension Plan);
- Alberta Joint Governance of Public Sector Pension Plans Act, section 40 of Schedule 2 (Public Service Pension Plan);
- Alberta Provincial Judges and Applications Judges Registered and Unregistered Pension Plans Regulation, section 5 (Judges Pension Plan).
If you have any questions regarding the collection of this information, contact the Member Services Centre at 1-800-358-0840 or write to 5103 Windermere Blvd. SW, Edmonton, AB T6W 0S9.
What Information We Collect
APS collects information provided by you, your pension plan, and your employer. We use this information for pension administration purposes, to deliver member and pensioner (hereafter called “member”) benefits, and to keep you informed about your specific pension (e.g., member annual statements).
Does this website use cookies?
Like many other websites, APS collects information about users' utilization and navigation of our website. This website uses simple text files, called 'cookies', to identify visitors who access it and track their use. When you access this website, cookies are created and temporarily placed on your computer.
These cookies collect non-identifying information about:
- The device you use to access our website (operating system, screen resolution, internet browser type and version).
- The webpage address from which you arrived.
- The date and time you accessed this website.
- The average time spent on a webpage.
- The Internet Protocol (IP) address of your device.
This statistical information provides insight into how to improve our website's design, content, and navigation, measure the effectiveness of our services, and enhance security measures to protect your data.
Why We Collect Your IP Address
We collect your IP address to enhance your experience on our website. This information helps us understand how our site is being used, improve our services, and ensure the security of our platform. By analyzing IP addresses, we can identify and prevent potential security threats, diagnose technical issues, and provide a more personalized browsing experience. Your IP address helps us maintain the integrity and performance of our website, ensuring a safe and efficient user experience.
How We Use Your Information
We use your personal and financial information to manage your pension effectively. This includes, but is not limited to:
- Verifying your identity and providing you with requested services.
- Providing information about your benefits and other pension-related details.
- Responding to any special needs or inquiries you may have.
- Conducting internal quality assurance, voluntary focus groups, and member engagement activities.
- Managing our risks and operations.
- Meeting regulatory and legal requirements.
- Using your social insurance number for income tax-related purposes as required by the CRA, and for identification purposes related to your pension administration.
Retention of Personal Information
Personal information related to the administration of a member's pension and benefits is retained for the duration of the pension benefit (from enrollment to the final payment), plus an additional six years, in accordance with the Alberta Records Management Regulation approved schedule.
Sharing Your Information
Our employees
APS adheres to provincial privacy legislation requirements. Access to your information is restricted to employees with a legitimate business purpose. Unauthorized access or disclosure of member and pensioner information by APS employees is strictly prohibited. All employees are required to maintain the confidentiality of member information, and failure to do so will result in appropriate disciplinary measures, which may include dismissal.
Outside service suppliers
We may engage service providers to perform specialized services on our behalf. These providers may process or handle personal information and are contractually obligated to protect it in accordance with Alberta privacy legislation, our privacy policies, and security practices. They are given only the information necessary to perform their services. APS strives to keep all member data within Canada, but there may be instances where personal information is stored outside of Canada. For specifics, please contact privacy@apsc.ca.
Privacy Notice for International Members Using Western Union (Convera)
If you choose to receive payments through Western Union, your pension plan will securely transmit your payment information to Western Union, which stores this information in the United States. We prioritize data security and ensure that your payment information is transmitted securely. Western Union adheres to stringent data protection standards to safeguard your information. If you have any questions about the payment process, please contact the Member Services Centre.
Cobrowsing sessions
The cobrowse tool located within pension plan websites is a secure feature designed to enhance your experience by allowing you to share your screen with a member services agent in real-time for guided assistance. Data in transit is encrypted, and the vendor has no access to the information displayed during the co-browsing session. If you initiate a cobrowse session, the agent can view the page you are on within the plan site but will not have access to any other information on your device. You can be confident that your screen will not be recorded or retained. Additionally, your security questions and answers, password, and social insurance number will remain confidential and will not be visible to the agent during the session.
Other third parties
We are committed to keeping your personal information confidential. We do not sell or rent your personal information and will only share it as permitted or required by law, to comply with laws, regulations, subpoena(s) or court order(s).
How We Protect You
Safeguarding your information
To help protect the privacy of data and personally identifiable information, we maintain physical, technical, and administrative safeguards. We update and test our security technology on an ongoing basis. We restrict access to your personally identifiable information to those employees who need to know that information to provide benefits or services to you. In addition, we train our employees about the importance of confidentiality and maintaining the privacy and security of your information. We commit to taking appropriate disciplinary measures to enforce our employees' privacy responsibilities.
Keeping Your Information Accurate
You have the right to ask us to correct information you think is inaccurate or incomplete.
We do our utmost to ensure that information about you is accurate and complete. As pension-related decisions are made based on the information within your member file, we encourage you to keep your information current. Information relating to your contact information (mailing address, email address, and telephone numbers), beneficiaries, and bank account information can be updated online within your secure member portal. If you require additional assistance, please inform us that you are challenging the accuracy of your data and want it corrected. You should:
- state clearly what you believe is inaccurate or incomplete,
- explain how it should be corrected, and
- where available, provide evidence of the inaccuracies.
Your Right to Access Your Personal Information
Your pension plan will send you an annual member statement and may periodically send plan-related newsletters. If you wish to obtain additional information, you can request a copy of your pension file (or specific portions of it) at any time by making a written request to the APS Privacy Office at the address provided below.
Please note that your request may incur costs depending on the information you seek. To avoid delays, provide sufficient detail to help us identify you and the specific information you are requesting. There may be instances where access is restricted as permitted or required by privacy legislation. Examples include information related to a third party, information subject to legal privilege, and confidential commercial information. If applicable, you will be informed of the reasons for any access restrictions.
Limitation of Liability
Although extensive precautions have been taken to provide a secure internet environment, APS cannot guarantee the privacy or security of information that is sent or received using this website. APS will not be liable for any damages, losses, costs or expenses, including, without limitation, direct, special, incidental, punitive or consequential damages, incurred by any person as a result of, or in any way connected with, any person's use of this website.
Inapplicability of Privacy Notices/Statements of Any Linked Websites or Other Third Parties
This privacy notice only addresses APS’ use and disclosure of your personally identifiable information. As this website may contain links to other websites, please be aware that we are not responsible for the privacy practices of such other websites and are not liable for their misuse of personally identifiable information. When you go to another website, we encourage you to read its privacy statement carefully.
Privacy Contact Information
Questions relating to our privacy practices can be directed to our Privacy Office:
By mail:
Privacy Office
Alberta Pensions Services Corporation
5103 Windermere Blvd SW,
Edmonton, AB T6W0S9
By e-mail:
privacy@apsc.ca
By telephone:
1-780-391-3799
