Large and small, pension plan sponsors are adopting in-house tools, partnering with technology research institutes or relying on investment managers for technological support with asset allocation, risk management and other aspects of investment management. The growing interest coincides with an increasingly complex investment, demographic and regulatory landscape. A 2020 Deloitte report on the importance of […]
Speaking during the keynote session at Benefits Canada‘s 2023 Defined Contribution Plan Summit, Seth Stephens-Davidowitz, New York Times’ bestselling author and former Google data scientist, told the story of a horse called American Pharoah, who became the first in 37 years to win the Triple Crown. Prior to the big wins, the horse wasn’t anything […]
With multiple generations in Canada’s diverse labour force, each generation has distinct needs and expectations, with millennials, in particular, creating increasing challenges for plan sponsors. The age group is comfortable talking about finances, but they aren’t saving for retirement, said Maria-José Perea, vice-president of product innovation in group retirement savings at Desjardins Insurance, during Benefits […]
A majority of U.S. defined contribution pension plan sponsors say they have some (70 per cent) or significant (10 per cent) concerns over data sharing and privacy that impact their adoption of new plan products and features, according to a new survey by the Defined Contribution Institutional Investment Association. However, the survey — which polled […]
In the wake of the coronavirus pandemic, employers will likely start to see more chronic diseases in their employee population and should consider proactive strategies for supporting workers’ overall health, said Peter Nord, chief medical officer at Medcan, during Benefits Canada’s 2023 Chronic Disease at Work conference in early February. “Employees are looking around for […]
The autumn is typically a busy one for the industry, but this year was especially eventful over at Benefits Canada. After a brief hiatus, the long-standing Healthy Outcomes Conference returned in October. This year, it was an in-person event designed for employers to exchange ideas and best practices for achieving improved employee health outcomes. Nearly […]
As the University Pension Plan increases its focus on climate change, its responsible investment policy considers environmental, social and governance factors as essential to sound long-term investing. “We’ve seen a lot of evidence from a variety of service providers — from investment banks to investment managers — that have demonstrated [the climate] is getting warmer […]
After a brief hiatus, Benefits Canada’s long-standing Healthy Outcomes Conference returned as an in-person event designed for employers to exchange ideas and best practices for achieving improved employee health outcomes. Nearly 85 employers gathered at the Omni King Edward Hotel in Toronto on Oct. 18 to hear from several panels discussing themes that are currently […]
As employers increasingly see four generations represented in their workforces and a diverse range of employee needs, customization and flexibility in benefits and wellness plans are becoming key to creating healthy outcomes for all employees. The result of these offerings was “peace of mind for employees and their families and a sense of belonging in […]
During the pandemic, employers are facing the “perfect storm” of major workplace disruption coupled with a poor mental-health baseline leading up to the crisis, according to Judith Plotkin (centre), vice-president of health solutions at People Corporation Inc., speaking during a panel session at Benefits Canada‘s 2022 Healthy Outcomes Conference. “There was already huge pressure on […]