Pension Transformation Initiative: July 2011 No. 4

Project News

As previously reported, the Pension Modernization Project has implemented the modernization's largest and most complex release, Release 2.0. This release implemented the new core pension software Penfax on April 11, and the Data Capture Tool (DCT) on May 2, 2011. We are pleased to report that the new pension solution is working well and staff in the Public Service Pension Centre (Pension Centre) is enthusiastic about the new tools it provides.

As with any IT project of this size, it was expected that issues would arise following the implementation of the new system. The HewlettPackard (HP) vendor team continues to address the defects that were identified prior to going to production, and the project maintenance team is addressing any defects that are being identified post-production. For example, a maintenance release was implemented on July 4 and included the Pension Benefits Division (PBD) functionality, fixes to resolve some pre- and post-production defects, and 'smart letters' functionality.

At Release 2.0, three more services were centralized: pension benefits entitlements, survivor pension entitlements and the new Employer Support Services. Post implementation activities for each of them are underway. Detailed planning and design activities are in progress for the twelfth and final service to be centralized, leave without pay (LWOP).