Shepp (Saskatchewan Healthcare Employees' Pension Plan)

What Shepp (Saskatchewan Healthcare Employees' Pension Plan) does

SHEPP (Saskatchewan Healthcare Employees' Pension Plan) is a multi-employer defined benefit pension plan headquartered in Regina, Saskatchewan, that delivers lifetime retirement income to over 69,000 members across 53 participating healthcare employers. Founded in 1962 as a hospital-sector retirement plan and jointly trusteed since 2002, SHEPP is the largest defined benefit pension plan in Saskatchewan and the only industry-wide pension plan for healthcare workers in the province. Governance is shared between an Employer Partner Committee and a Union Partner Committee, with an eight-member Board of Trustees equally representing employer appointees (via 3sHealth) and union appointees (CUPE, HSAS, SUN, SEIU-West). The plan is registered under The Pension Benefits Act, 1992 (Saskatchewan) and the Income Tax Act (Canada) with registration number 0304667, and it operates under a stable, decades-old defined benefit formula tied to highest average contributory earnings and credited service.

The organization runs its core technology through the SHEPPweb Member Portal and SHEPPweb for Employers portal, supported by online calculators for pension projection, prior service purchase, and current service purchase. Employer enrollment is the primary go-to-market mechanism; once an employer participates, eligible employees are enrolled upon meeting membership eligibility requirements, and ongoing contributions are administered through the employer-facing portal. Members access annual statements, beneficiary designations, retirement planning tools, and Pensioner resources via the same secure portal, supplemented by phone/email support, Retirement Ahead webinars, in-person information sessions, segment-specific newsletters, and annual reports. Technology differentiation is moderate and centered on portal usability and employer integration rather than proprietary IP; no AI/ML capabilities, APIs, or external integrations are documented.

SHEPP is funded through recurring employer and employee contributions set by actuarial valuation, plus diversified investment returns across bonds, stocks, and real estate. At year-end 2025 the Fund reached $12.0 billion in total value with a 10.0% net investment return, and the plan is fully funded on a going-concern basis with a surplus sufficient to support 2026 benefit improvements. Customer segments span Active Plan Members, Deferred Members, Pensioners, and Participating Employers (predominantly Saskatchewan Health Authority, Saskatchewan Cancer Agency, eHealth Saskatchewan, 3sHealth and similar public-sector healthcare organizations). Revenue mechanics are trust-based contributions and investment income rather than commercial pricing; no public pricing tiers exist, and pricing details are not publicly disclosed.

Name

Shepp (Saskatchewan Healthcare Employees' Pension Plan)

Legal name

Saskatchewan Healthcare Employees' Pension Plan

Website

https://shepp.ca

Company type

Private

Founded year

1962

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

SHEPP is the largest defined benefit pension plan in Saskatchewan, serving over 69,000 healthcare workers and retirees across 53 participating employers through jointly trusteed lifetime pension administration headquartered in Regina.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Pension Plan Administration

NAICS

Pension Funds (525110), Pharmacy Benefit Management and Other Third Party Administration of Insurance and Pension Funds (524292)

SIC

Finance Services (6199)

akta.pro primary industry

Pensions & Retirement Benefits Administration (BPAIAKAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Pension Master Trusts, Superannuation & Provident Funds (FSAAAGAB), Employee Benefit & Retirement Plan Trust Services (FSAAANAC), Corporate & Public Pension Funds (DB/DC Sponsors) (FSAAAGAA)

Keywords

• Defined benefit pension
• Pension plan administration
• Multi-employer pension
• Retirement income security
• Healthcare pension benefits

Headquarters

HQ city

Regina

HQ country

Canada

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Operations, Personnel, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Pension Contributions: SHEPP is funded through employer and employee contributions. Both parties make regular contributions based on actuarial valuations that determine the cost to fund future liabilities. Contribution rates may be adjusted periodically to ensure sufficient funds to pay benefit entitlements. The Plan is currently fully funded with a surplus.
2. Investment Returns: The $12.0 billion Fund generates returns through diversified investments across asset classes including bonds, stocks, and real estate. In 2025, the Fund achieved a 10.0% net investment return. Investment returns support the Plan's ability to pay lifetime pensions to members.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

SHEPP is the largest defined benefit pension plan and the only industry-wide pension plan for healthcare workers in Saskatchewan, providing lifetime monthly retirement income to over 69,000 members. The Plan is funded jointly by employer and employee contributions and managed as a $12.0 billion diversified investment fund. SHEPP delivers pension administration through its secure SHEPPweb member portal and a dedicated employer portal, supported by webinars, information sessions, and a formal appeals process.

Product overview

SHEPP is a multi-employer defined benefit pension plan providing lifetime retirement income to healthcare workers in Saskatchewan. The organization operates primarily through its SHEPPweb Member Portal (for active, deferred, and retired members to manage pension information and perform calculations) and SHEPPweb for Employers Portal (for 53 participating employers to administer enrollment, contributions, and member data). Key member-facing tools include Pension Projection, Prior Service Purchase, and Current Service Purchase calculators accessible through the member portal. Employer services include enrollment/termination processing, contribution management, and pension adjustment calculations. Supplementary services include Retirement Ahead webinars, information sessions, and a formal appeals process. The plan is jointly governed by employer and employee trustees and administered in compliance with The Pension Benefits Act, 1992 and the Income Tax Act.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• SHEPPweb Member Portal Secure online self-service portal for active, deferred, and retired Plan members to manage personal pension information, view statements, designate beneficiaries, and perform retirement planning calculations.
• SHEPPweb for Employers Portal Secure employer administration portal enabling enrollment, termination, contribution processing, data submission, and pension adjustment calculations for participating healthcare employers.
• Multi-Employer Defined Benefit Pension Plan Jointly trusteed defined benefit pension plan administration serving 53 participating healthcare employers across Saskatchewan, providing lifetime monthly pension benefits determined by formula based on highest average contributory earnings and years of credited service.
• Retirement Ahead Webinar Live one-hour virtual presentation covering pension benefits, retirement eligibility milestones, application procedures, and planning resources with Q&A session for SHEPP members.
• Member and Beneficiary Appeal Process Formal process for members and beneficiaries to appeal decisions made by SHEPP Administration, with a 60-day submission window and 90-day review period.

Quantifiable outcome

• 10.0% net investment return in 2025
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers9 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Eleven partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• 3sHealth (Health Shared Services Saskatchewan)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 31 December 20023sHealth appoints representatives to the Employer Partner Committee and appoints four trustees to the Board of Trustees. Originally part of SAHO, 3sHealth provides shared services to the Saskatchewan healthcare system and plays a key governance role in SHEPP's joint trusteeship structure.
• CUPE (Canadian Union of Public Employees)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCUPE appoints one trustee to the Board of Trustees and participates in the Union Partner Committee. As one of the five founding settlor unions, CUPE has been involved in SHEPP's governance since the establishment of joint trusteeship in 2002.
• SUN (Saskatchewan Union of Nurses)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSUN appoints one trustee to the Board of Trustees and participates in the Union Partner Committee. As one of the five founding settlor unions, SUN shares governance responsibility for the Plan.
• HSAS (Health Sciences Association of Saskatchewan)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHSAS appoints one trustee to the Board of Trustees and participates in the Union Partner Committee. Represents health sciences professionals in SHEPP's governance structure.
• SEIU-WestcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSEIU-West appoints one trustee to the Board of Trustees and participates in the Union Partner Committee. As one of the five founding settlor unions, SEIU-West has been a key partner in joint trusteeship since 2002.
• SGEU (Saskatchewan Government and General Employees' Union)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSGEU appoints representatives to the Union Partner Committee. While not appointing a Board trustee, SGEU participates in Plan design decisions through the Union Partner Committee.
• SAHO Inc.minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSAHO Inc. appoints representatives to the Employer Partner Committee. Following the restructuring, SAHO Inc. handles labour relations and collective bargaining previously managed by the original SAHO.
• Saskatchewan Health AuthoritycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLargest healthcare employer in Saskatchewan, appointing representatives to the Employer Partner Committee. SHA is one of the primary participating employers whose employees are members of SHEPP.
• Financial Consumer Affairs Authority of Saskatchewan (FCAA)minorOthersFCAA's Pensions division administers The Pension Benefits Act, 1992, which regulates SHEPP's administration and protects member interests. The FCAA ensures equitable treatment of Plan members.
• Canada Revenue Agency (CRA)minorOthersCRA's Registered Plans Directorate administers the Income Tax Act provisions applicable to SHEPP, including contribution deductions and registered plan compliance requirements.
• Service CanadaminorOthersFederal government agency administering Canada Pension Plan (CPP) and Old Age Security (OAS) benefits. SHEPP refers members to Service Canada for information on government retirement benefits that complement SHEPP pensions.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves4 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Direct peers

• Healthcare of Ontario Pension Plan (HOOPP): Canada's largest healthcare-specific defined benefit pension plan serving Ontario hospital and healthcare employees, jointly trusteed by employers and unions. Directly comparable to SHEPP in mandate (healthcare-only DB plan), governance model (joint trusteeship), and member-facing services.
• Health Employees Pension Plan (HEPP) Manitoba: Multi-employer defined benefit pension plan for healthcare workers in Manitoba. Closely comparable to SHEPP in target membership, multi-employer structure, and jointly trusteed governance serving a single Canadian province's healthcare workforce.

Regional players

• Alberta Local Authorities Pension Plan (LAPP): Multi-employer defined benefit pension plan serving Alberta local government and broader public-sector workers, including healthcare employees. Comparable as a large Canadian provincial DB plan with jointly-managed governance and a similarly diverse participating-employer base.
• British Columbia Pension Corporation (Municipal / PSP Plans): Administers multiple defined benefit pension plans for British Columbia public-sector workers, including healthcare employees. Comparable to SHEPP as a provincial multi-employer DB plan administrator with employer-union governance representation.
• Public Service Pension Plan (PSPP) - Alberta: Defined benefit pension plan for Alberta public-service employees, including some healthcare-adjacent workers. Comparable to SHEPP as a Canadian provincial DB plan with multi-employer participation and jointly managed governance.

Broad incumbents

• Ontario Municipal Employees Retirement System (OMERS): One of Canada's largest multi-employer defined benefit pension plans serving Ontario municipal employees across multiple sectors including healthcare. Comparable in scale and multi-employer DB model, though broader in sectoral scope than SHEPP.
• Ontario Teachers' Pension Plan (OTPP): Large Canadian DB pension plan sponsor with institutional investment capabilities and joint-sponsor governance. Comparable to SHEPP in jointly trusteed DB structure and sophisticated investment management, though serving a different sector and at much greater scale.

Others

• CAPSA (Canadian Association of Pension Supervisory Authorities): Inter-jurisdictional Canadian body that SHEPP completes annual governance self-assessments with. Relevant as the regulatory and governance framework referenced by SHEPP, providing shared standards across Canadian pension plans comparable to it.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

Compliance3 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles6 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Shepp (Saskatchewan Healthcare Employees' Pension Plan)