Bill Turnbull, GM, announces retirement
After 18 years of helping members of the Co-operative Superannuation Society (CSS) Pension Plan prepare for retirement, Bill Turnbull, General Manager, has announced his own retirement effective January 2, 2017.
Bill has served as the General Manager and Secretary-Treasurer of the CSS Pension Plan since 1998 – only the fourth person to fill the role over the Plan’s 77-year history. Prior to entering the pension sector, Bill practiced law in Saskatoon for 21 years.
Throughout his career with the Plan, Bill has demonstrated exceptional leadership in all aspects of pension plan administration. He has embodied what it means to be a fiduciary, working with pension legislators and regulators to advance the interests of Plan members and improve the regulatory environment for employment pension plans.
Bill’s influence has extended across the national stage through his involvement with the Association of Canadian Pension Management (ACPM) where he served three terms as a Director and was a founding member of the ACPM Prairie Council. An advocate for effectiveness in the Canadian pension regulatory system, Bill was also a member of the industry working group that provided feedback to the Canadian Association of Pension Supervisory Authorities (CAPSA) on the defined contribution (DC) best practice guidelines released in 2014.
Over his tenure as General Manager, the CSS Pension Plan has experienced exceptional growth with several notable successes to the benefit of members: the creation of additional investment funds to give members greater choice, the development of the Variable Benefit Payment retirement income option, and the advancement of the Plan’s new retirement planning service are just some of the noteworthy Plan achievements under Bill’s leadership.
“In 1998 it was my very good fortune to be offered the opportunity to serve as the General Manager of Canada’s largest private DC pension plan – a plan with a unique and envied design and history,” Bill recalls. “As I go, I am confident that I am leaving the Plan in good shape and in good hands. The Society’s delegates and directors, and the Plan’s management and staff are fully committed to the Plan’s continued success.”
The CSS Board of Directors would like to thank Bill for his years of dedicated service in helping members prepare for one of the most important milestones of their lives; we wish him all the best as he departs on his own retirement journey.
The Board will begin searching for Bill’s replacement before the end of March.
Al Meyer - Vice-President
Co-operative Superannuation Society Board