Updated November 20, 2025
Introduction
This Privacy Notice outlines Alberta Pensions Services Corporation’s (APS) policies and practices regarding the collection, use, and disclosure of your personal information. It also explains your privacy rights regarding the administration of your pension and your use of this website.
APS is committed to protecting your personal information. We recognize that privacy is an ongoing responsibility, and as such, this notice will be updated periodically to reflect changes in legislation, our data practices, or privacy policies. We encourage you to review this notice regularly to stay informed about how your personal information is protected
Accountability
Alberta Pensions Services Corporation (APS) serves as the trusted benefit service provider for multiple pension plans and is responsible for administering the pensions of its members. We are dedicated to safeguarding the personal and financial information entrusted to us and delivering responsive, member-focused service.
APS integrates internationally accepted privacy principles into our business practices. Our Privacy Office oversees privacy practices and ensures compliance with all relevant legislation and internal policies through a privacy-by-design approach. All APS employees receive training on the importance of confidentiality and the secure handling of personal information. This commitment to privacy and security is fundamental to how we serve members every day.
Personal Information Collection Notice
Personal information collected through this website and by Alberta Pensions Services Corporation (APS) for the pension plans we administer is used for pension administration, member communication, and service improvement. Social insurance numbers (SIN) are primarily collected to fulfill reporting obligations to the Canada Revenue Agency. They may also be used to verify member identity in support of secure authentication processes.
Collection of this information is authorized under various Alberta legislative provisions, depending on the member’s pension plan, including:
- Protection of Privacy Act, s 4(c) - Members of the Legislative Assembly Pension Plan (MLAPP) and the Supplementary Retirement Plan for Public Service Managers (SRP);
- Protection of Privacy Act, ss 4(a), (c) - Judges Pension Plan (JPP), Local Authorities Pension Plan (LAPP), Management Employees Pension Plan (MEPP), Public Service Management (Closed Membership) Pension Plan (PSM(CM)PP), Public Service Pension Plan (PSPP), Special Forces Pension Plan (SFPP);
- Public Sector Pension Plans Act, s 9.2 - MEPP, PSM(CM)PP;
- Joint Governance of Public Sector Pension Plans Act - Sch 1, s 40 (LAPP), Sch 2, s 40 (PSPP), Sch 3, s 39 (SFPP);
- Provincial Judges and Applications Judges Registered and Unregistered Pension Plans Regulation, s 5 - JPP.
APS uses automated systems and tools, including Microsoft Copilot, to enhance decision-making, improve service efficiency, generate content, and provide insights through artificial intelligence and data analytics. These systems operate within our secure infrastructure, are protected by robust privacy and security safeguards, and comply with Alberta’s privacy legislation.
If you have questions about the collection or use of your information, you can contact the Privacy Office by emailing Privacy@apsc.ca or calling (780) 391-3799.
For questions about your pension, please contact the Member Services Centre at
1-800-358-0840.
What Information We Collect
APS collects information provided by you, your pension plan, your employer, and publicly available data for the purposes listed above.
Does This Website Use Cookies?
Like many websites, APS collects information about users’ utilization and navigation of our website. This website uses simple text files called 'cookies' to identify visitors and track their use. When you access this website, cookies are created and temporarily stored on your device.
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 the 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, helps measure the effectiveness of our services, and enhances 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
APS uses your personal and financial information to effectively manage your pension and deliver high-quality service. This includes, but is not limited to:
- Verifying your identity and providing the services you request;
- Using your SIN to fulfill reporting obligations to the Canada Revenue Agency and may be used to verify member identity for secure authentication;
- Communicating with you about your pension benefits and related information;
- Responding to your inquiries and accommodating any special needs;
- Ensuring accurate benefits are being paid out to members at all stages of membership;
- Conducting internal quality assurance, voluntary focus groups, and member engagement activities to improve our services;
- Generating insights through artificial intelligence and data analytics to enhance service delivery and operational efficiency;
- Managing organizational risks and operations to ensure reliable service; and
- Complying with legal and regulatory obligations.
Automated System Use
APS may use automated systems, including artificial intelligence tools such as Microsoft Copilot, to assist in decision-making, improve service efficiency, generate content, and provide insights through artificial intelligence and data analytics. These systems operate within our secure infrastructure, are protected by robust privacy and security safeguards, and comply with Alberta’s privacy legislation.
- Data Protection: Our enterprise version ensures that all data is protected with robust security measures.
- Privacy Assurance: Our contract with Microsoft guarantees their Copilot large language model (LLM) does not learn from or retain any of our data, ensuring complete privacy and confidentiality.
Sharing Your Information
Our Employees
APS is committed to protecting your personal information in accordance with provincial privacy legislation. Access to your information is strictly limited to employees who require it to fulfill their job responsibilities.
Unauthorized access to, or disclosure of, personal information contained within member or pensioner accounts is strictly prohibited. All APS employees are trained in privacy and confidentiality practices and are required to uphold these standards at all times. Breaches of these obligations are taken seriously and may result in disciplinary action, up to and including dismissal.
Outside Service Suppliers
APS may engage external service providers to perform specialized services on our behalf. In some cases, these providers may process or handle personal information. When they do, they are contractually required to protect that information in accordance with Alberta privacy legislation, as well as APS’s privacy policies and security standards.
Service provider access is limited to only the information necessary to carry out their specific duties. APS makes every effort to ensure that all member data remains within Canada; however, in certain circumstances, personal information may be stored or accessed outside of Canada.
International Payments Using Western Union (Convera)
If you elect to receive payments through Western Union, your pension plan will securely transmit your payment information to Western Union, which stores their data in the United States and Frankfurt, Germany. APS prioritizes data security and ensures that your payment information is transmitted securely. Western Union adheres to stringent data protection standards to safeguard your information. To read more about their global privacy practices, visit their website. If you have questions about the payment process, please contact our Member Services Centre at 1-800-358-0840.
Other Third Parties
APS is committed to maintaining the confidentiality of your personal information. We do not sell or rent your information under any circumstances. Your personal information will only be shared with third parties as permitted or required by law—for example, to comply with applicable legislation, subpoenas, or court orders.
How We Protect You
Safeguarding Your Information
To protect the privacy of your data and personally identifiable information, APS maintains physical, technical, and administrative safeguards. Security technology is continually updated and tested. Access to your personally identifiable information is restricted to employees who require it to provide benefits or services to you. All employees are trained on the importance of confidentiality and maintaining the privacy and security of your information. APS enforces appropriate disciplinary measures to uphold employees' privacy responsibilities.
Retention of Personal Information
APS adheres to Alberta’s Records Management Regulation, aligning our retention schedule with requirements set out by the Alberta Records Management Committee.(ARMC). The retention schedule is documented and formally approved by ARMC, with approval maintained throughout the lifetime of the schedule. Regular reviews are conducted to ensure that retention schedules continue to meet legal and business needs.
APS follows a disposition process that prevents records from being disposed of prior to fulfilling the required retention period or if disposal could affect ongoing legal or privacy matters. Specifically, for pension files, personal information related to the administration of a member’s pension and benefits is retained for the entire administration of the pension benefit—from enrollment through to the final payment. After the file payout concludes, this information is kept for an additional six years, in accordance with the schedule. To obtain a copy of our records disposition schedule, please submit a written request to the Privacy Office using the contact information provided below.
Breach Notification Process
At APS, we take privacy breaches seriously and have a comprehensive process to ensure timely and effective responses. In the event of a breach, we:
- Gather Information: Collect details about the incident to understand and prevent future occurrences.
- Mitigate the Risk: Take immediate actions to minimize harm, such as requesting the return or deletion of incorrect documents.
- Contain the Breach: Ensure, where possible, that the incorrect information is no longer accessible by unauthorized parties.
- Notify Affected Parties: Inform the affected individuals and provide guidance on the steps they should take to protect themselves.
- Report the Incident: The Privacy Breach is documented and reported to the Privacy Office. If the breach involves sensitive personal information that is determined to have the potential of causing a’ real risk of significant harm’ to the affected individual(s), the breach is also reported to the Alberta Office of the Information and Privacy Commissioner and Alberta’s Minister of Technology and Innovation.
By following these steps, APS aims to effectively manage privacy breaches, minimizing their impact and maintaining trust in our privacy practices through transparent communication and continuous improvement.
Privacy Management Program & Privacy Impact Assessments (PIA)
APS maintains a comprehensive privacy management program to ensure ongoing compliance with Alberta’s privacy legislation. Privacy Impact Assessments are conducted for new or significantly changed programs, systems, or processes that involve personal information, as required by law. These assessments help identify and mitigate privacy risks and ensure that appropriate safeguards are in place.
Children's Privacy
APS is committed to protecting the privacy of children. We only collect and maintain personal information related to children who are listed as beneficiaries by our members. This information is collected solely for the purpose of administering pension benefits and is handled with the utmost care and confidentiality.
We do not knowingly collect, use, or disclose personal information about children without the consent of a parent or guardian. If you believe that we have collected personal information about a child without the appropriate consent, please contact us immediately so that we can take appropriate action.
Your Privacy Rights
APS is committed to protecting your personal information and ensuring you understand your rights under Alberta’s Access to Information Act and Protection of Privacy Act. As an APS member, you have the following rights:
| YOUR RIGHT | WHAT IT MEANS | HOW TO USE IT |
|---|---|---|
| Access Your Information | You can request access to records and personal information APS holds about you. | Write to the APS Privacy Office. |
| Correct Your Information | You can ask APS to correct inaccurate or incomplete personal information. | Contact APS with details and supporting evidence. |
| Request Deletion | You may request deletion of personal information, subject to legal requirements. | Contact APS Privacy Office. |
| Be Informed About Collection | You have the right to know why and how your information is collected, used, and disclosed. | Read this Privacy Notice or contact APS. |
| Automated Decision-Making | You have the right to be informed if your information will be used in automated systems (e.g., AI, analytics). | Read the collection notices or contact APS. |
| Privacy Breach Notification | You will be notified if your personal information is involved in a privacy breach that poses a real risk of significant harm. | APS will contact you if this happens. |
| Privacy Impact Assessments | You may request information about APS’s privacy management program and Privacy Impact Assessments for new or changed programs. | Contact APS Privacy Office. |
| File a Complaint | You can file a complaint with the Alberta Office of the Information and Privacy Commissioner if you believe your rights have been violated. | Contact the Commissioner’s office. |
Right of Access under the Alberta Access to Information Act
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, including your full name, member ID (if available), contact information, and a description of the specific documents or information you wish to access.
Under the Alberta Access to Information Act, you have the right to request access to records held by APS, including your personal information. Requests for information can be made by sending a written request through your secure member portal (Your Pension Profile), or by mail to the address at the bottom of this notice. To avoid delays, provide sufficient detail to help APS 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. Please note that your request may incur costs depending on the information you seek.
Request for the Correction of Personal Information
You have the right to ask APS to correct information you believe is inaccurate or incomplete. APS strives to ensure that your information is accurate and complete. As pension-related decisions are made based on the information within your member file, you are encouraged to keep your information current. Information such as your contact details (mailing address, email address, and telephone numbers), beneficiaries, and bank account information can be updated online within your secure member portal. If you need additional assistance, inform APS that you are challenging the accuracy of your data and want it corrected. Please:
- Clearly state what you believe is inaccurate or incomplete;
- Explain how it should be corrected; and
- Provide evidence of inaccuracies, where available.
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 APS is not responsible for the privacy practices of such other websites and is not liable for their misuse of personally identifiable information. When you go to another website, we encourage you to read its privacy statement or notice carefully.
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.
How to Contact Us
If you wish to exercise your rights, or have questions about your privacy, please contact our Privacy Office. Note: some rights may be subject to exceptions or limitations under Alberta law. APS will explain any restrictions that apply to your request.
Privacy Office
Alberta Pensions Services Corporation
5103 Windermere Blvd SW,
Edmonton, AB T6W0S9
privacy@apsc.ca
(780)391-3799
Corporate Privacy Officer: Myrna Kampjes
