Unifor locals representing Via Rail Canada Inc. employees have opened bargaining in Montreal as contracts are set to expire for more than 2,000 members. Members identified a number of key issues for contract negotiation, including a strengthened pension plan, according to a press release. The current collective agreements expire on Dec. 31, 2019. Read: Unifor […]
On Sept. 27, the 2019 Defined Contribution Investment Forum delved into the latest trends in behavioural finance and DC plan member engagement, as well as new perspectives on investment opportunities and risk and performance considerations. Here’s what you missed! Seeking better risk levels by adding alternatives to DC plans A defined contribution plan sponsor’s strategic […]
A defined contribution plan sponsor’s strategic decisions around asset allocation are far more influential to the performance of the pension portfolio than security selection or timing investments. “The strategic decision is very important in terms of long-term results and the long-term experience of your plan members,” said Chhad Aul, vice-president of portfolio management at Sun […]
Defined contribution plan sponsors have a tough job. “Every day that goes by, DC is getting harder and harder to solve for,” said Lorie Latham, senior defined contribution strategist at T. Rowe Price during a session at Benefits Canada’s 2019 Defined Contribution Investment Forum in Toronto on Sept. 27. Looking to lessons learned in the […]
With cohorts in the workforce behaving differently as they prepare for retirement, it’s important for plan sponsors to consider these differences along gender and generational lines. At Benefits Canada’s 2019 Defined Contribution Investment Forum in Toronto on Sept. 27, Jean Young, senior research associate at the Vanguard Center for Investor Research, shared a survey that […]
There are two fundamental reasons for including alternatives in a defined contribution pension portfolio, according to Ed Studd, solutions manager for U.S. portfolio solutions at Schroders, during a session at Benefits Canada’s 2019 Defined Contribution Investment Forum in Toronto on Sept. 27. First, alternatives can help the portfolio achieve better diversification by accessing different types […]
Defined contribution plan sponsors are facing challenges that will shape the nature of their legal obligations to employees. Member communication is a key challenge, said Jon Marin, an associate in pension and benefits at Osler, Hoskin & Harcourt LLP, during Benefits Canada’s 2019 Defined Contribution Investment Forum in Toronto on Sept. 27. “In the vast […]
More plan sponsors are considering eliminating the waiting period for employees to join their pension plan, at least for employee contributions, according to a new report on capital accumulation plans by Sun Life Financial. “It’s much easier for a new employee to adjust their spending to their first take-home pay than to give up money to […]
According to Goodyear Canada Inc., pension communications don’t have to be boring — and it’s not afraid to use puns to make its employees pay attention. The company’s strategy, encompassing targeted messaging and creatively designed materials, netted it the award for pension communications at Benefits Canada‘s 2019 Workplace Benefits Awards on Oct. 17. Goodyear Canada […]
In a letter to the tax branch of the Department of Finance, the Association of Canadian Pension Management said it would be reasonable for certain large defined contribution pension plans to be issuers of advanced life deferred annuities. According to the current Income Tax Act, only a licensed annuity provider can issue an ALDA. However, the ACPM […]