A recently obtained access-to-information request reveals 803 instances of Memorial University employees receiving both a salary and a pension from 2013 to 2025.
Sixty-eight employees received a salary and a pension in 2025, 60 in 2024, 66 in 2023, 63 in 2022, 66 in 2021, 53 in 2020, 60 in 2019, 61 in 2018, 70 in 2017, 69 in 2016, 71 in 2015, 52 in 2014, and 44 in 2013.
Memorial ended its mandatory retirement policy on May 27, 2007, after the Newfoundland and Labrador Human Rights Code was amended to prohibit age discrimination beyond age 65 in the workplace. Since then, employees at Memorial have been able to continue working until they choose to retire.
However, rules under the federal Income Tax Act (Canada) require tax-sheltered retirement savings, including benefits in a registered pension plan, to begin payments by the end of the year in which an individual reaches age 71.
This requirement means that, at age 71, employees stop contributing to the pension plan and begin receiving their pension in addition to any employment income.
Memorial noted that reports prior to 2013 cannot be provided, as they exceed retention requirements and were approved for disposal in accordance with Section 4.1 of the Management of Information Act.
Memorial stated that annual counts are based on a snapshot from the final pay period of each calendar year and include individuals simultaneously receiving both a retirement pension and a salary in each year’s snapshot.
Memorial also stated that pension payments issued to principal beneficiaries or for spousal payments were excluded.
View the ATIPP file below:
Matt Barter is a graduate of the Humanities and Social Sciences Faculty at Memorial University of Newfoundland, holding a degree in Political Science with a minor in Sociology. He enjoys reading thought-provoking articles, taking walks in nature, and volunteering in the community.
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