5:30 - 6:30 p.m.

6:00 - 8:30 p.m.

Presentation rehearsals in the Mali IV.

Please join us for an informal reception in the Mali Foyer.

Breakfast in the Windigo Restaurant

Opening Remarks

Session One - Keynote speech

The road to heck is paved with good intentions
[Presentation only available at the conference]
There is a Chinese curse, "May you live in interesting times." DC plan sponsors live in increasingly interesting times. What with the proposed Capital Accumulation Plan guidelines, increased complexity of plan design and increased fiduciary responsibilities, DC plan sponsors have to wonder how to keep all the balls in the air. This presentation will familiarize you with these issues and present solutions to consider.
Brian Mallard, Certified Financial Planner, chair of Advocis, and a DC plan sponsor at Brian Mallard and Associates of Saskatoon.

Break

Session Two – Investor behaviour and retirement savings

Why do they behave that way?
[Download presentation (200K)]
This presentation will explore the psychology-based research on investor attitudes toward risk, and offer strategies to deal with that risk.
Don Brean, Rotman School of Management, University of Toronto

Understanding investor behaviour to build more effective plan member communications
[Download presentation (220K)]
The first step in engaging DC members in their plans is to reach them with targeted communications that spur them to make wise decisions. New research demonstrates that understanding the five key human behaviours when it comes to investment planning can unlock the key to reaching members more effectively – and more fully satisfy a sponsor’s duty to educate.
Lori Bak, Sun Life Financial

Designated Respondents:
1. John Clarke, Syncrude Canada Ltd.
2. Gerry Wahl, Teck Cominco Limited

Coffee break and speaker photos

Session Three – Communicating with plan members

Participant Communications: Conquering complacency
[Download presentation (548K)]
Why do so many pension plan sponsors spend hours communicating the value of retirement plans to their employees only to experience disappointing participation levels? The answer is simple: one-size-fits-all communications plans aren’t enough. Participant segmentation is emerging as an effective means of reaching a diverse population. Find out how data-driven communication strategies can increase participant engagement and satisfaction.
Jeff Horbal, Fidelity Investments

Education/communication sessions: Maximizing the people return
[Download presentation (988K)]
Sponsors of group retirement savings plans have the responsibility to effectively communicate details and educate potential participants on the merits of joining the plan. One of the most common and effective ways of getting the message understood is the group information session. This session investigates communication tactics to help you engage participants in preparing for retirement.
Barry Shea, Group Retirement Services

Designated respondents:
1. Garry Sudul, JD Irving Ltd.
2. Jan Neiman, Rothmans, Benson & Hedges

12:15 - 1:30 p.m.

1:30 - 2:45 p.m.

Lunch in the Joseph Room

Session Four – Plan member education

Trends in plan member education
[Download presentation (112K)]
The Investor Education Fund has conducted research into trends in pension plan coverage and current practices in plan member education in both Canada and the U.S. Hear about the research findings and learn about “Focus On...Pension Decisions”, the fund’s free objective source of investor education which pension plan sponsors can incorporate into their employee education programs.
Terri Williams, Investor Education Fund

The role of the investment manager in the education process
[Presentation coming soon]
What can investment managers contribute to support the effort to educate DC plan members? This presentation will offer ideas about how investment managers can assist DC plan sponsors with the investment education of plan members, drawing on examples in Canada and abroad.
Kevin Martino, UBS Global Asset Management

Designated respondents:
1. Shirley McIntyre, TransAlta Corporation
2. Gerry Valois, Agricore United

6:00 p.m.

7:00 p.m.

Cocktail Reception in the Kamichat/Joseph Foyer

Dinner

Breakfast in the Windigo Restaurant

Session Five – Regulation and governance

Guidelines on capital accumulation plans
[Download presentation (108K)]
This presentation will discuss the proposed guidelines for capital accumulation plans released for consultation by the Joint Forum of Financial Market Regulators last spring, the results of the consultations and plans for the finalization and implementation of the guidelines by pensions, insurance and securities regulators across Canada.
Nurez Jiwani, Joint Forum of Financial Market Regulators

Governance for the gifted
[Download presentation (1.1MB)]
Remarkable progress has been made towards defining governance guidelines for DC plans. They are a long awaited answer for sponsors looking for guidance on how to manage their plans. This presentation will place the guidelines in a practical framework to assist sponsors in tailoring their governance program to meet both their needs and those of members.
Joan Johannson, Integra Group Retirement Services

Designated respondents:
1. Jean-Pierre Rondeau, University of British Columbia
2. Paul Martin, B.C. Government & Service Employees’ Union (BCGEU)

9:45 - 10:15 a.m.

10:15 - 11:30 a.m.

Coffee break

Session Six – Risk sharing: managing the risks of a DC plan

Planes, trains and automobiles: The vehicles of retirement planning
[Download presentation (204K)]
In the education versus advice arena, is adhering to a strictly educational regime sufficient? Legal exposure may persist despite the best-laid educational plans of DC plan sponsors, and stepping into the realm of advice may be a necessity. This presentation examines the legal nature, treatment and future of advice in Canada.
Darin Ahing, Manulife Financial

Risk management in DC plans
[Download presentation (180K)]
The key to success is determining which of the most common danger areas merit attention from the plan sponsor and then taking appropriate action to mitigate the risks. This session will focus on positive actions sponsors can take today to manage members' expectations and help members achieve their goals tomorrow.
Roger Renaud, Standard Life

Designated respondents:
1. Doreen Mattson, EnCana Corporation
2. Shirley Powell, Novopharm Limited

“Crossfire Lunch” with plan sponsors and service providers
Here’s your chance to anonymously ask the tough questions you wouldn’t dare to in person! To cap this year’s conference, we present a “Crossfire”-style session in which plan sponsors will submit queries for their service providers, and vice-versa. Submissions will be taken ahead of the conference, and the Benefits Canada crew will come armed with your questions.

1:15 - 1:30 p.m.

6:00 p.m.

Closing remarks

Closing reception in the Mali Foyer