Half (50 per cent) of Canadian employers are now offering financial planning services and 42 per cent are providing financial literacy resources, according to a new report by Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. This is a significant increase from 2024, notes Pat Leo, vice-president of Toronto retirement at Gallagher. “With carriers in Canada now offering some […]
With inflation still squeezing household budgets, interest rates elevated compared to pre-pandemic norms and an ageing workforce heading towards retirement, employees are under more pressure than ever to make the right financial decisions. For many, their workplace savings plan is the cornerstone of their retirement, but without proper guidance they risk costly mistakes during this […]
Confident and knowledgeable group retirement savings plan members are saving 86 per cent more than those with low confidence and literacy, according to a new survey by Sun Life Financial Inc. The survey, which polled more than 1,900 plan members, found nearly a third (30 per cent) believe they have both confidence and strong financial […]
Implementing a wellness strategy during the pandemic helped Montreal-based automotive and heavy parts distributor UAP Inc. boost employee engagement, reduce the stigma around mental health for its predominantly male workforce and improve plan members’ financial well-being. In a session during Benefits Canada’s 2025 Healthy Outcomes Conference, Geneviève Hébert (pictured right), the organization’s senior director of […]
Wealthsimple Inc. is marking Financial Literacy Month with a two-part series of information sessions on how women can build financial confidence. The sessions cover estate planning, individual and joint money management, investing, wealth building and pre-retirement strategies, says Diana McLachlan, the organization’s chief people officer. She notes the company’s overall approach to financial literacy emphasizes […]
While earlier generations of Canadian retirees fared well despite limited financial literacy thanks to simpler pension systems, today’s employees face a more complicated journey through a self-directed financial landscape, according to a new report by the C.D. Howe Institute. It found Canadian employees, especially those in the private sector, are partially left to their own […]
Many women approaching and entering retirement are seeking clearer financial guidance and more supportive environments for financial decision-making, according to a new survey by HomeEquity Bank. It found confidence in financial decision-making tends to increase with age, yet many women continue to encounter barriers rooted in literacy, confidence and cultural expectations. While 63 per cent […]
Improving participation and engagement in pension savings is a constant challenge for the retirement industry, but experts point to more insistent and consistent tactics around member behaviour. Derek Messacar, associate professor of applied economics, Memorial University Programs that offer tax deductions on savings in designated accounts have, for a long time now, been contested as […]
Nearly six in 10 (59 per cent) Canadians fear they’ll outlive their retirement savings, according to a new survey by the Canada Pension Plan Investment Board. It found more than half (52 per cent) of non-retirees with a financial plan said it gives them confidence their money would last, making planning the top driver of […]
Advocacy on the federal government’s pharmacare program will continue to be a core focus for the Benefits Alliance in 2025, says Carolyne Eagan, the association’s president. As each province is determining how or whether they’ll accept the government-sponsored program, she says the association plans to continue its grassroots campaign to engage with Canadian plan sponsors […]