The CMEA recently received this email that may be of interest to some of our members, especially those currently drawing a pension or the families of deceased pensioners.
L’AGMC a récemment reçu ce courriel qui pourrait intéresser certains de nos membres, en particulier ceux qui touchent actuellement une pension ou les familles de retraités décédés.
Text follows: // Le texte suit - français ci-dessous. :
Your Name: MICHEL DRAPEAU
Your e-mail address: mdrapeau@mdlo.ca
Subject: Class action suit. Manuge v. HMK. Notice to class members and families
Message:
My law firm is one of five law firms currently engaged in a Class Action Suit (Manuge v. His Majesty the King). I am writing to alert you to the recent settlement that may affect many retired members (and their families) of the Canadian Military Engineers Association.
I request your assistance in alerting your membership to their potential eligibility make a claim for a settlement payment by publishing a small announcement in the next edition of your CHIMO Newsletter(s).
BACKGROUND
Between 2003 and 2023, Veterans Affairs Canada [VAC] miscalculated the pension escalation adjustment for over 330,000 class members, including CAF veterans, members of the RCMP and their dependants. The result is that these clients were underpaid.
On average, claims are worth about $2,500. However, there are 40 people who are eligible for payments over $35,000 and approx. 2,000 for payments over $10,000.
At present, there currently remains tens of millions of dollars in unclaimed funds.
LIVING CLASS MEMBERS WILL BE PAID AUTOMATICALLY
For living class members, nothing needs to be done. The amount owing will be calculated by VAC and paid directly to the class member.
ESTATE OF DECEASED VETERANS NEEDS TO FILE A CLAIM
However, there are over 215,000 estates of veterans for whom a claim needs to be made. A claim can be made by a surviving spouse, child, grandchild, parent, sibling, niece/nephew, or next of kin to a class member. Given the relatively slow uptake so far, we have formed the impression that many of these persons are unaware of their entitlement to make a claim.
The entire claims process is being administered by KPMG, who have created a
website: https://veteranspensionsettlement.kpmg.ca/.
Most importantly, KPMG have created a simple claims process whereby claims can be submitted electronically through the website above. A claimant needs only to submit proof of ID, and any other information that may assist the Administrator in verifying their entitlement.
We would greatly appreciate if you would disseminate the following message to its members in the hope of alerting survivors and family members of deceased class members of their entitlements to settlement payments.
Earlier this year, Veterans Affairs Canada [VAC] settled a class action lawsuit relating to the miscalculation of disability pension benefits payable between 2003 and 2023 to disabled Canadian Armed Forces and RCMP veterans and their survivors. Living veterans will receive their settlement payments automatically from VAC and consequently there is no action required on their part.
However, there are a large number of Estates of deceased veterans, family members or survivors of veterans who are eligible to receive a significant payment. On average, claims are worth about $2,500. However, there are 40 people who are eligible for payments over $35,000 and approx. 2,000 for payments over $10,000
The entire claims process is being administered by KPMG, who have created a website where claims can be made here:
https://veteranspensionsettlement.kpmg.ca/.
The deadline to make a claim is on March 19, 2025
KPMG have also established a toll-free call center to answer questions (1-833-839-0648).
Plus tôt cette année, Anciens Combattants Canada [ACC] a réglé un recours collectif concernant l'erreur de calcul des prestations de pension d'invalidité payables entre 2003 et 2023 aux anciens combattants invalides des Forces armées canadiennes et de la GRC et à leurs survivants. Les anciens combattants vivants recevront automatiquement leurs paiements de règlement d’ACC et, par conséquent, aucune action n’est requise de leur part.
Cependant, il existe un grand nombre de successions d'anciens combattants décédés, de membres de la famille ou de survivants d'anciens combattants qui sont admissibles à recevoir un paiement important. En moyenne, les réclamations valent environ 2 500 $. Cependant, 40 personnes sont éligibles à des paiements supérieurs à 35 000 $ et environ. 2 000 personnes pour des paiements supérieurs à 10 000 $.
L'ensemble du processus de réclamation est administré par KPMG, qui a créé un site Web où les réclamations peuvent être faites ici :
https://veteranspensionsettlement.kpmg.ca/.
La date limite pour présenter une réclamation est le 19 mars 2025.
KPMG a également mis en place un centre d'appels sans frais pour répondre aux questions (1-833-839-0648).
Thanking you in advance for your support. Please do not hesitate to phone
(613 236-2657 ext. 200) or email (mdrapeau@mdlo.ca) should you wish to discuss this matter.