During a recent transition between record keepers, KPMG in Canada focused on keeping communications with employees human and simple, including what to say, when to say it and how to measure confidence. “It wasn’t just a record-keeper change,” said Christine McCloskey-Bruno (pictured right), senior total rewards manager, during a session at Benefits Canada’s 2026 Defined […]
By slotting alternative assets into portfolio offerings, Saskatchewan’s Public Employees Pension Plan is incorporating an element of the defined benefit pension plan model, according to Gary Hutch, chief investment officer and executive vice-president of investments at Plannera Pensions & Benefits, which administers the plan. “We believe that including all of these alternatives provides more of […]
In its 2026 budget on Thursday, the Ontario government proposed doubling the pension benefits guarantee fund’s monthly guarantee limit from $1,500 to $3,000 for all eligible plan beneficiaries, the largest increase since the PBGF was created in 1980. It cited a recent review of the PBGF that found the fund had $1.3 billion in net […]
Bell Canada’s defined benefit and defined contribution pension plans are both overseen by the same pension committee. The meeting cadences differ, but the committee leans on its DB knowledge to make sure it’s addressing similar risks in the DC plan, says Robert Marchessault, the organization’s director of pensions and benefits. For the DB plan, which […]
Employers can reinforce the value of their workplace retirement plans by communicating to plan members about the importance of having money later versus money now, according to a new report by the National Institute on Ageing at Toronto Metropolitan University’s Pension Centre of Excellence. The report analyzed responses from an NIA survey of 6,000 Canadians […]
With the new year may come new resolutions — or at least topics to keep in mind — for capital accumulation plan sponsors. Ongoing compliance with the CAPSA’s updated CAP guideline While the Jan. 1 deadline for CAP sponsors to bring their systems and processes into compliance with the Canadian Association of Pension Supervisory Authorities’ […]
The Pension Investment Association of Canada will monitor the ongoing progress of several policies related to environmental and sustainability solutions. Last year’s federal budget indicated greenwashing provisions would be coming to the Competition Act at a time when the pension association has advocated for clear and flexible environmental, social and governance reporting guidelines, which would […]
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 Quebec government’s adoption of legislation for variable payment life annuities 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. Quebec adopts VPLA legislation 2. What employers need to know about provincial changes to sick […]
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 […]