The Quebec government has adopted regulations allowing defined contribution pension plans and voluntary retirement savings plans to offer variable payment life annuities. The regulatory changes establish the framework under which DC plans and voluntary retirement savings plans may offer the lifetime income option, including conditions related to plan design, valuation and administration. The move follows […]
With inflation still squeezing household budgets, interest rates elevated compared to pre-pandemic norms and an ageing workforce heading towards retirement, employees are under more pressure than ever to make the right financial decisions. For many, their workplace savings plan is the cornerstone of their retirement, but without proper guidance they risk costly mistakes during this […]
While earlier generations of Canadian retirees fared well despite limited financial literacy thanks to simpler pension systems, today’s employees face a more complicated journey through a self-directed financial landscape, according to a new report by the C.D. Howe Institute. It found Canadian employees, especially those in the private sector, are partially left to their own […]
An article on proposed changes to preferred pharmacy networks outlined in the Ontario government’s fall economic statement was the most-read story on BenefitsCanada.com this past week. Here are the top five human resources, benefits, pension and investment stories of the last week: 1. Ontario taking steps to end preferred pharmacy networks, introducing VPLA framework 2. […]
In its fall economic statement, the Ontario government said it plans to introduce legislation that would effectively end preferred pharmacy networks in the province. The legislation, based on the province’s findings from two consultations, would enable an ‘any willing provider’ framework — in which any pharmacy willing to match a PPN’s financial terms could join […]
A continued rally in equity markets in the third quarter of 2025 strengthened retirement income outcomes for capital accumulation plan members, according to a new report by Eckler Ltd. Optimism around trade negotiations, a U.S. Federal Reserve rate cut and steady enthusiasm for artificial intelligence supported markets through the period. As a result, the consultancy’s […]
KPMG in Canada is aiming to boost plan member engagement with its retirement savings programs with a host of changes, including a refreshed defined contribution plan investment lineup, a new first home savings account, financial education programming, digital tools and switching record keepers. The changes, launched in early October, stemmed from a review of the […]
Roughly six in 10 (60 per cent) U.S.-based defined contribution pension plan sponsors say they want to retain assets in the plan, often by limiting rollover solicitations from record keepers and offering targeted education to members, according to a new survey by the Defined Contribution Institutional Investment Association. The survey, which polled more than 150 […]
An article on why Canadian retirees are withdrawing less income from their workplace savings plans was the most-read story on BenefitsCanada.com this past week. Here are the top five human resources, benefits, pension and investment stories of the last week: 1. Decumulation shift: Canadian retirees withdrawing less from workplace plans in recent years, says expert […]
While Canadian retirees have a good understanding of longevity risk, in recent years, many are withdrawing less income from their workplace retirement savings plans, says Dave Jones, senior vice-president of group retirement services at Sun Life Financial Inc. “If you go back to just a couple years to 2022, people really shift from drawing more […]