In the end, it was just too much of a struggle for Acadia University to resist the lure of joining the much larger public service pension plan of the province of Nova Scotia.
Plan members voted in late February on the proposed transfer and 88% of the 400 members were in favour. The vote was made possible because of the province’s decision to open the public service pension plan to non-civil service members.
The $140 million Acadia plan was facing difficulties including a 25% funding shortfall and high administration costs. By joining the $5 billion public service plan and changing the benefit structure, Acadia will eliminate the funding shortfall.