After an eventful 2025, there are several developments and trends affecting Canadian defined benefit pension plan sponsors in 2026. Focus on investment strategy Major equity markets performed well in 2025, which was a key driver for another year of improved funded positions for many DB pension plans. Although most pension plans are well funded today, […]
In 2026, the Canadian Institute of Actuaries will continue to focus on the impact of climate risk on several areas, including pension investments, says Angelita Graham, a partner at Mercer Canada and president of the CIA. Last year, the organization began working with Université du Québec à Montréal for its research chair in actuarial and […]
An article on the federal government’s official rebuttal to a 2023 report that argued Alberta is entitled to more than half the assets of the Canada Pension Plan was the most-read pension story on BenefitsCanada.com this year. Here are the top 10 pension stories of 2025: 1. Feds’ report dismisses Alberta’s CPP entitlement, offers formula […]
As society’s view on gender identity continues to evolve, so too does the role of gender in shaping the world. A 2023 report by the Canadian Institute of Actuaries examined the impact of gender on actuarial considerations, including longevity risk in pension plans. The CIA’s report followed a 2021 decision by the Superior Court of […]
Quebec’s pending implementation of variable payment life annuities would benefit more from a principles-based approach rather than a prescriptive framework, said the Canadian Institute of Actuaries. In an open letter to the provincial government, the CIA said such an approach would allow for a more flexible and effective rollout and would encourage innovation while continuing […]
The Canadian Institute of Actuaries is supporting employers with a new resource that focuses on the importance of early and proactive retirement planning. The resource covers several topics, such as how to build emergency funds while balancing short-term obligations with long-term goals, as well as developing sustainable retirement income strategies using personal savings, employer-sponsored retirement […]
Variable payment life annuities and the impact of gender identity on actuarial standards are among the issues the Canadian Institute of Actuaries is monitoring in 2025, says Simon Nelson, a principal at Eckler Ltd. and chair of the CIA’s pension practice committee. A CIA task force on VPLAs will present its findings early this year, […]
One of the many consequences of the coronavirus pandemic was an unprecedented interest in the life expectancy of Canadians. While the increased focus on life expectancy seemed to wane once the worst of the pandemic had passed, a recent report by the Canadian Institute of Actuaries on mortality improvements has brought the topic of life […]
The impacts of climate change and federal super-priority legislation on Canadian pension plans are among the issues that the Canadian Institute of Actuaries is monitoring in 2024, says Simon Nelson, a principal at Eckler Ltd. and chair of the CIA’s pension practice committee. While climate change is a consideration across all of the CIA’s practice […]
The Association of Canadian Pension Management is urging the Ontario government to ensure its proposed rules for multi-employer target-benefit pension plans don’t undermine existing incentives that enable employers to create and maintain workplace pension plans. In an open letter, the ACPM said it believes the provision for adverse deviation will overly restrict the ability of MEPP trustees to manage […]