Designing an effective program is not easy. Experience shows that employee engagement in defined contribution (DC) plans is often low and leads to low participation…
The average plan member is by no means a financial expert, and the choices offered by many service providers can leave some members bewildered and…
In its last budget, the federal government introduced the tax-free savings account (TFSA), a completely new tax-sheltered investment vehicle. Although presented more in the context…
The tax-free savings account (TFSA) is expected to be a hit when it comes into effect in 2009, but it seems individual Canadians won’t be…
Faced with the age-old problem of plan member disengagement and the heightened risk of employee litigation, plan sponsors are starting to turn to target date…
Glide path philosophy has become a big issue in the U.S., confirms Janet Rabovsky, practice leader, investment consulting, with Watson Wyatt Worldwide. While each target…
For those who believe that investment contributions during the working years constitute the bulk of retirement income, think again. New research suggests that up to…
The explosion of defined contribution (DC) plan litigation in the United States is likely to continue, but Canada should not expect a similar trend anytime…
Traditionally, money market funds have been the most popular default fund in defined contribution (DC) pension plans but now that people are living longer, and…
Capital accumulation plan (CAP) members need to learn how to shift from building wealth to preserving wealth and lifestyle, and it’s up to plan sponsors…
Although tax-free savings accounts (TFSAs) won’t be implemented until January 2009, employers need to start thinking how, or if, this new savings vehicle will complement…
The defined contribution and group RRSP plans currently available to Canadians will provide inadequate retirement income and a comprehensive analysis of the industry is needed,…
A lot has been said on member engagement, education and investment performance, but it often seems like plan design and employer contribution rates are (relatively)…
The potential pension employees can get from their defined contribution plan peaked in 2000 and if economic conditions revert to historical norms, DC pensions could…
Just how popular will the new Tax-Free Savings Account become in the future? Now that the deadline to make contributions to registered retirement savings plans…
A spin on the traditional target date fund offers greater flexibility and simplified governance for CAP sponsors. When it comes to investing, people are always…
Defined contribution plan member inertia is due to a lack of understanding and a bewildering array of choices, and overcoming that inertia requires a concerted…
Target-date funds will be the most prevalent default investment for defined contribution retirement plan participants in the United States, according to a survey by investment…
Reflecting a bit on my upbringing, I had the great fortune of dining most evenings with my family. My mother had a tremendous gift for…
As the popularity of defined contribution (DC) plans grows, sponsors in the United States are taking a number of positive steps to help their employees,…
Pension funds may be about to experience the second perfect hundred year storm in this decade. With Canadian stock markets already down this year and…
Lessons from the U.S. U.S. defined contribution (DC) plans are transitioning from supplemental savings plans to the primary source of retirement income for many employees.…
Education and advice—some insights and learnings. Regulations for advice are framed around a holistic model, although many pension fund members seek advice on a limited…
Providing protection for Canada’s money purchase pension plans. Many employers would like to enhance their employees’ defined contribution (DC) retirement prospects, but may pull back…
Good governance and transitioning to retirement. Increasingly, plan sponsors are transitioning plan members into retirement. In fact, this is a growing responsibility. Statistics Canada states…