The combination of several innovations in defined contribution pension plan design can dramatically improve retirement readiness across income levels, according to a new report by Mercer. Its annual retirement readiness barometer analyzed the impact of two key innovations — variable payment life annuities and exposure to alternative investments like private markets — alongside plan flexibility […]
An article on British Columbia’s updated pension standards, including the introduction of auto-escalation for defined contribution pension plans, was the most-read article on BenefitsCanada.com this past week. Here are the top five human resources, benefits, pension and investment stories of the last week: B.C. amending pension legislation, including auto-escalation for DC plans Ontario pension plan assets […]
Retirement income outcomes for capital accumulation plan members dipped in the first quarter of 2026, amid market volatility and ongoing geopolitical tensions, according to a new report by Eckler Ltd. The consultancy’s latest CAP income tracker found a typical male CAP member retiring at the end of March 2026 achieved a gross income replacement ratio […]
Pension plan membership in Ontario increased year-over-year to 4.8 million in 2025 and David Bartucci, head of pension plan operations and regulatory effectiveness at the Financial Services Regulatory Authority of Ontario, says it’s a welcome surprise. “We’ve invested energy in the Pension Awareness Day [campaign and] to see an increase in the number of people […]
British Columbia’s provincial government is updating its pension standards to support retirement income security and flexibility, including the introduction of automatic escalation for defined contribution pension plan members. Effective Oct. 30, 2026, auto-escalation will be introduced to B.C.-based DC plans and members will have the option to opt out of the feature. Auto-escalation helps address […]
One employee touts the benefits of an ESOP, while an academic notes it depends on individual financial circumstances and plan design. Morgan Zirul, store manager, Starbucks Corp. When I joined Starbucks in 2017, I was 18 and not really thinking about retirement or long-term financial planning. During onboarding, I learned about the company’s benefits, including […]
A third of U.S. plan sponsors say they’re very or extremely confident in their participants’ ability to retire at their target age, up from just 18 per cent one year ago, according to a new survey by MFS Investment Management. The survey, which polled more than 150 U.S. defined contribution pension plan sponsors, found their […]
Workplace financial advice has evolved significantly over the past 15 years, moving from in-plan investment advice to more broad financial planning, said Marc-Antoine Morin, assistant vice-president of group retirement at Manulife, during a session at Benefits Canada’s 2026 Defined Contribution Plan Summit. He traced the evolution to the rise of three factors: target-date funds, which […]
As generation Z’s behaviours, motivators and stressors evolve in real time, a joint research project from Canada Life and Deloitte Canada is aiming to help bridge the gap between prudent financial planning and the generation’s legitimate concerns around long-term systemic risks. Speaking during a session at Benefits Canada’s 2026 Defined Contribution Plan Summit, Kate Nazar […]
Canadians’ outlook on retirement has dropped over the last decade, with 82 per cent having a positive attitude 10 years ago compared to 71 per cent last year, said Peter Bowen, vice-president of tax and retirement at Fidelity Investments Canada, during a session at Benefits Canada’s 2026 Defined Contribution Plan Summit. Sharing the results of […]