Under unprecedented economic volatility, institutional investors are leaning on diversified asset mixes that are less reliant on public markets, says Claude St-Laurent, principal of pension and savings at Normandin Beaudry. He notes institutional investors are more frequently pushing beyond traditional equities and bonds to incorporate real estate, infrastructure and other alternative assets. Indeed, in the […]
The benefits of artificial intelligence go hand in hand with the many risks, but the pension industry’s requirements around fiduciary responsibility and governance, as well as privacy concerns, add an important layer to these considerations. Genevieve Hayman, senior affiliate researcher in research, advocacy and standards, the CFA Institute Many artificial intelligence risks — which include […]
A group of former municipal police officers who were recruited by the Ontario Provincial Police have launched multi-million-dollar lawsuits against the Ontario Municipal Employees Retirement System and the Ontario Pension Board over alleged losses suffered during their pension transfers. As part of their moves to the OPP from various municipal police forces — including the […]
The median solvency ratio for Ontario defined benefit pension plans remained stable at 122 per cent in the fourth quarter of 2024, according to a new report by the Financial Services Regulatory Authority of Ontario. It noted throughout 2024, the median solvency funded status remained above 120 per cent, the highest percentage since the FSRA […]
The average solvency ratio of Canadian pension plans declined three per cent as at March 31, 2025, according to a new report by Normandin Beaudry. At the end of the first quarter of 2025, the average solvency ratio reached 111 per cent. The decrease was attributed to a combination of increased liabilities and investment performance, […]
The office of the New York City comptroller, which oversees five public pension systems, is recommending the New York City Law Department seeks securities litigation against electric car maker Tesla Inc. over “enormous losses” to shareholders. In a statement on the office’s website, Brad Lander, the New York City comptroller, said Tesla made material misstatements […]
More than half of U.S. pension plan sponsors say economic conditions like interest rate and market volatility (58 per cent) as well as demographic changes (57 per cent) are the market forces most likely to influence the evolution of employer-sponsored retirement plans, according to a new survey by MetLife Inc. The survey, which polled more […]
Private equity allocations are increasing to 12 per cent in the asset mix of U.S.-based institutional investors while public equities reached 38 per cent in 2024, according to a new report by Crisil Coalition Greenwich. In 2024, fixed income (29 per cent) and U.S. equities (19 per cent) were the leading assets among U.S. defined […]
The British Columbia Financial Services Authority is releasing a stand-alone information security guideline for pension plan administrators based in the province. The guideline, which will come into effect on July 1, 2025, aims to help mitigate information security risks and ensure timely reporting of material security incidents, according to a press release. Until then, all […]
Over the past 25 years, the pension industry has seen many significant shifts, from defined benefit to defined contribution, from accumulation to decumulation and from education and guidance to financial planning, said Chris Walker, regional vice-president of business development and investment strategy at Desjardins Insurance, during a session at Benefits Canada’s 2025 DC Plan Summit. […]