After nine months of uncertainty in the financial markets and with no end in sight to the coronavirus pandemic, more and more Canadian workers are worrying about life after retirement, according to a new survey by Manulife Investment Management. It found financial woes are taking a toll on workers, with a 16 per cent rise […]
The coronavirus pandemic is highlighting many trends in group retirement and investment programs, pushing the industry to be flexible and quick with some of the newer offerings. As plan sponsors review their group retirement plans in the coming months, they may want to consider some, or all, of these four trends. 1. Financial wellness becoming a must. […]
Cognitive bias exists in the very fabric of the business world and is a key element holding back its progress, according to Sudhir Roc-Sennett, head of thought leadership and environmental, social and governance for Vontobel Asset Management’s quality growth boutique. He says companies and the institutional investors analyzing their potential should be concerned with the myriad ways […]
Canada could experience a 2.6-fold increase in visits to mental-health practitioners and up to a 20 per cent increase in antidepressant prescriptions due to the impacts of the coronavirus pandemic, according to a new report by Deloitte. The report explored the human and social impact of natural disasters and periods of economic hardship — such as […]
Several prominent players in Canada’s pensions and benefits industries have signed onto the BlackNorth Initiative, pledging to take specific actions within their organizations to tackle anti-Black racism. “The persistent inequities across our country underscore our urgent, national need to address and alleviate racial, ethnic and other tensions and to promote the elimination of anti-Black systemic […]
Organizations all over the world are pledging their commitments to anti-Black racism as global protests over the police killings of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor and many others, move into their fifth week. While the outcomes of these numerous pledges remain to be seen, discussions on the topics of race and racism are being held in boardrooms and […]
As the Canada Life Assurance Co. prepares a phased approach for returning to the office, the insurer is thanking its more than 11,000 employees with two paid days on July 2 and 3 for an extra long Canada Day weekend. “Three months ago, we asked our employees to be flexible, adaptable, creative and resilient in […]
Alberta Blue Cross, Green Shield Canada, iA Financial Group and Medavie Blue Cross are the latest insurers to reduce benefits plan premiums during the coronavirus pandemic. For Alberta Blue Cross’ group plans, the changes include a 50 per cent reduction to dental benefits premiums, a 25 per cent reduction to vision care premiums and a 25 per cent […]
Equitable Life Insurance Co. of Canada is offering premium relief for all of its traditional and myFlex group plans for health and dental benefits. Since many health practitioners have closed their offices due to the coronavirus pandemic restrictions, plan member use of dental benefits and some health benefits has declined. As a result, Equitable Life is applying […]
Over the last decade, the group benefits space has been all about digitizing documents and data, embracing a mobile-first mindset and urging plan sponsors and members to ditch paper and go online for a more customized experience. The next decade will build on all of that, pushing group benefits plans into the era of hyper-personalization, […]