This Co-op Week, the Business NOT as Usual campaign is bringing co-op stories to a national stage, showcasing how co-operatives offer bold, practical alternatives to traditional structures in key sectors. As part of the initiative, a cross-campus virtual event will be held on October 16, 2025.

Hear from young co-op leaders, futurists and advocates who are reinventing ownership structures across Canada and rethinking “business as usual.” Learn more here. 

Our story 

At CSS Pension Plan we are proud to share our story as part of the Business NOT as Usual initiative - we are a member-owned co-op that’s been reimagining financial security since 1939. 

We’re not a bank, and we’re certainly not a corporation. We’re a co-op. That means our members are our owners, and every decision we make is guided by values like care for community, democratic participation and long-term well-being. We help people from hundreds of co-operatives, credit unions and community-based organizations across Canada build financial security - together. 

Why we chose co-op: People taking care of people 

We chose the co-op model because it’s built on something powerful: people taking care of people. 

Back in 1939, when CSS was founded, there was no blueprint for retirement security. So, a group of co-operatives came together and said, “Let’s build it ourselves.” They didn’t just want a pension plan; they wanted a plan that belonged to the members, listened to their voices and put the community first. 

That’s the heart of co-operation. It’s not about profit - it’s about purpose. 

At CSS, every member is an owner. That means your voice matters. Your experience shapes the plan. And your future is something we build together - not something you have to figure out alone.  

We believe in care for community, democratic decision-making and financial empowerment that’s personal, inclusive and built to last. Choosing the co-op model wasn’t just a business decision - it was a values decision. And it still is.  

Our impact: Walking beside our members 

At CSS, we don’t just manage pensions - we walk alongside our members through life’s biggest transitions.  

We’ve helped a young co-op employee navigate their first job and understand what retirement even means. We’ve supported a retiree who thought they’d outlived their savings - only to discover their CSS account had grown more than expected. We’ve answered late-night emails from members worried about market volatility, and we’ve celebrated with those who finally felt ready to retire.  

One member shared:  

“I couldn’t believe how much my portfolio had grown - even after years of retirement withdrawals. That’s the power of co-operative investment.”  

Another told us:  

“You understood my questions extremely well and got back to me so fast.”  

When we have a new employer member join CSS, it isn’t just about a pension plan and financial literacy - it is about co-creating a roadmap that reflects that co-op’s values, voice and vision for member wellness.  

We’ve hosted information sessions across Canada, where co-ops and credit unions brought their teams together to learn, ask questions and feel seen. These sessions weren’t just about numbers - they were about belonging, clarity and confidence.  

And behind every session, every article, every advisor call, is a team that believes in care for community, co-operation among co-operatives and the idea that financial resilience is something we build together. 

Business NOT as Usual: Our commitment 

The CSS story is a clear testament to the core message of the Business NOT as Usual campaign: 

• We’re proving that business can be values-driven, member-owned and deeply human - even in the world of pensions. 

• CSS is built on the co-op model because it reflects everything we believe in - collaboration, care and community. We show that financial resilience is something we build together. It’s not just a structure. It’s a way of life.