The median solvency ratio of Ontario defined benefit pension plans increased to 124 per cent during the third quarter of 2025, an increase of two per cent from the previous quarter, according to a new report by the Financial Services Regulatory Authority of Ontario. The percentage of pension plans that were projected to be fully […]
Size matters when it comes to Canada’s much-vaunted model of pension investment. Sebastien Betermier, an associate professor of finance at McGill University’s Desautels Faculty of Management, says the in-house capabilities and direct, private-asset investment that characterize the approach pioneered by the Maple 8 aren’t replicable by just any pension fund. “You need to be really […]
While emerging forms of artificial intelligence such as agentic AI may hold promises and challenges for pension plan sponsors, the human touch remains important when advising plan members on financial decisions, said Francis Boulianne, principal in Normandin Beaudry’s group benefits practice, during a recent webinar hosted by the consultancy. “[Chatbots] were never intended to replace […]
The average Canadian defined benefit pension plan returned 4.4 per cent in the third quarter of 2025, up from 1.6 per cent in the second quarter, according to a new report by the Royal Bank of Canada Investor Services. This growth was driven by a broad-based mix of equity and fixed income contributions, the report […]
An article on one of Pratt & Whitney Canada’s wins in Benefits Canada’s 2025 Workplace Benefits Awards 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. Pratt & Whitney Canada’s winning well-being program centres around four pillars of […]
Alberta’s Local Authorities Pension Plan is lowering its 2026 contribution rates and providing members with a cost-of living adjustment due to the plan’s strong financial position. Contribution rates for both plan members and employers will decrease by roughly one per cent for next year, with surplus funds making up the difference, according to a press […]
Canada’s retirement income system ranked No. 24 out of 52 countries, earning a B grade with an overall score of 70.4 out of 100, according to a new report by Mercer and the CFA Institute. The annual study benchmarks retirement income systems across 65 per cent of the world’s population, using weighted scores for adequacy, […]
An article on recent private equity investments by the Canada Pension Plan Investment Board 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. CPPIB increases stake in environmental services firm, receives approval for energy provider takeover 2. Solvency […]
Canadian public sector employees continue to outpace private sector workers in defined benefit pension plan membership, according to a new report by the Fraser Institute. It found 86.7 per cent of Canadian public sector workers were covered by a registered pension plan compared to only 21.8 per cent in the private sector, citing data from […]
An article on an arbitrator’s confirmation of the long-term disability exception to Ontario’s mandatory retirement rule 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 arbitrator confirms validity of LTD exception to mandatory retirement rule 2. Insurers […]