# 2024-196 Pay and Benefits, Canadian Forces Superannuation Act, Pension Benefits

Case summary

F&R Date: 2025-09-15

The grievor grieved the denial of his request, made after a component transfer to the Regular Force, to augment his Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) pension, under Part I of the Canadian Forces Superannuation Act (CFSA) with a buyback to top up his prior Reserve Force (Res F) service. He argued that he was never informed of the one-year eligibility period to make a Past Earnings Election for any period of earnings while serving in the Res F or to top up any prior earnings he contributed at the rate of a Part I.1 member of the Reserve Force Pension Plan. 

The Director General Compensation and Benefits, acting as the Initial Authority (IA), rejected the grievance, noting that a separate mechanism was provided under the CFSA to address the grievor's pension concerns. As such, the IA refused to consider the grievance application under the CAF grievance system.

The Committee found that the CFSA, the Canadian Forces Superannuation Regulations, and CANFORGEN 027/11 were very clear about the specific window of opportunity to make an election to buy back previous Res F service and to top up contributions to pensionable service when becoming a contributor to Part I of the CFSA. The grievor was sent all the required documentation informing him of these eligibilities and the one-year timeline to make such elections. 

The Committee found that the grievor was provided with the relevant information in order to elect a top up for his pensionable service and the grievor's eligibility to buy back previous Res F service had expired. 

The Committee noted that in accordance with section 93 of the CFSA, the grievor could make a request to the Minister of National Defence for reconsideration of the decision concerning his buy back request. 

The Committee recommended that the Final Authority not afford redress.