The market value of assets held by Canadian trusteed pension funds rose to $1.9 trillion in the first quarter of 2018, up from about $1.85 trillion in the fourth quarter of 2017, according to new data from Statistics Canada. The increase represents a rise of three per cent from the fourth quarter of 2017 and 5.7 per […]
While the Canadian Life and Health Insurance Association generally supports the Canadian Association of Pension Supervisory Authorities’ proposed guideline on defined contribution pension plans, certain areas require further clarification. “We recognize that some service providers may require substantial lead time to enhance administrative systems to incorporate functionality, such as capturing and reporting indirect fees, that may not currently exist,” […]
Postmedia Network Inc. has told Ottawa Citizen and Ottawa Sun staff that it will lock out union employees starting Monday if they reject or refuse to vote on its final contract offer Sunday. Chris Krygiel, vice president of human resources and labour relations at Postmedia, said in a letter Thursday to staff that a lockout […]
The Canada Mortgage and Housing Corp. is having déjà vu. After closing its defined benefit plan to new members in 2013 and introducing a defined contribution component, the organization is now reversing course completely, closing its DC plan at the end of 2017 and re-opening its DB plan to all employees on Jan. 1, 2018. […]
Canada rose two spots to No. 9 among 43 countries in Natixis Investment Managers’ 2018 global retirement index. The modest rise in Canada’s ranking is attributed to improving economic conditions and environmental factors, according to the report, which also points to several factors — low interest rates, growing levels of public debt, aging populations and […]
T. Rowe Price Group Inc. has appointed Lauren Bloom as head of defined contribution sales and intermediaries in Canada. Based out of Toronto, Bloom will lead sales and services for the company’s Canadian defined contribution and intermediary channels, promoting its investment offerings. Prior to this position, Bloom held a number of roles at CI Investments Inc., including vice-president […]
Only 40 per cent of Canadians who are classified as precarious workers have access to pension plans or registered retirement savings plans, compared to 85 per cent of those who are identified as secure professionals, according to a new report by the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives. The report, which surveyed 1,000 Canadians, found 78 per cent are secure professionals, while […]
Franklin Templeton Investments Corp. is adding a suite of target-date funds to its offerings in Canada. Franklin LifeSmart is expanding to four new funds, covering new increments 2025, 2035, 2045 and 2055, adding to the current line up of 2020, 2030, 2040 and 2050. “As employee workplace savings plans continue to grow in popularity across Canada, demand for target-date funds […]
Improving the mental health of employees ranks ahead of physical health and wellness as a top priority for human resources leaders for 2019, according to a new survey by Morneau Shepell Ltd. The survey, which polled nearly 400 Canadian organizations, found 48 per cent of HR leaders view improving the mental health of their workforce as a top priority, narrowing passing […]
How do the following sound as headlines for the cover of Benefits Canada? Are they likely to make the cut any time soon? • “My boss is 89” • “Remember when we went to the doctor’s office?” • “On-the-job diagnosis” • “Machines don’t need benefits” • “Artificial benefits” • “Shareholders elect first AI CEO (actuary’s […]