As a fresh-faced elementary school student in 1977, Aaron Bennett wasn’t quite in the target demographic for the freshly launched Benefits Canada magazine. Still, Bennett — now the chief investment officer at Ontario’s University Pension Plan — has a pretty firm grasp on the concerns that would have occupied the minds of his predecessors as […]
While Canada’s pension system continues to rank well globally, the current economic environment poses particular risks for defined contribution pension plan sponsors and members, according to a new report by the CFA Institute and Mercer. “As DC pension plans continue to make up a greater part of Canadians’ retirement, turbulent markets, soaring inflation and a […]
An article on Ontario’s incoming electronic monitoring policy was the most-read story on BenefitsCanada.com over the last week. Here are the five most popular news stories of the week: 1. Ontario’s electronic monitoring policy ensures employer transparency: lawyer 2. Expert panel: How employers, employees can mitigate workplace microaggressions 3. Majority of plan sponsors, plan members view their health benefits […]
In 2022, normal was supposed to make a comeback — it didn’t. Just as supply chains began to stabilize, war broke out in Europe, China invaded Taiwan’s waters, inflation skyrocketed and central banks began hiking interest rates. While investments in renewable energy infrastructure reached new highs, economies that had been moving away from fossil fuels […]
Managing risk in an era defined by escalating geopolitical tension, degenerating global trade networks and unprecedented economic turmoil is no simple task — and doing so well may require adopting a new perspective. “We aren’t thinking about risk in a way that’s appropriate for the world that we’re moving into,” said Janice Gross Stein, founding […]
Alongside a potential recession and lower global economic growth looming in 2023, defined benefit pension plan sponsors have several tools to minimize the impact of rising inflation, said Eric Menzer, senior portfolio manager and global head of outsourced chief investment officer and fiduciary solutions and multi-asset solutions at Manulife Investment Management, during a session at […]
Nearly three-quarters (71 per cent) of Canadians say saving for retirement is a challenge amid rising inflation, an increase of six percentage points over 2021, according to a new survey by BDO Canada. The survey, which polled more than 2,000 Canadian adults, found 43 per cent said they’ve also cut their savings for retirement. As a […]
An article on virtual health-care findings in the 2022 Benefits Canada Healthcare Survey was the most-read story on BenefitsCanada.com over the last week. Here are the five most popular news stories of the week: 1. 88% of benefits plan sponsors satisfied with virtual health-care offerings: BCHS 2. OTG Management using earned-wage access cards to help employees contend with […]
Amid rising inflation, airport hospitality services provider OTG Management is supporting employees’ financial wellness through an earned-wage access card. Nearly a third (30 per cent) of the organization’s Canadian employees have accessed the benefit, which allows employees to access their pay and manage their finances whenever and however they prefer, says Alan House, OTG’s executive […]
Canadian base salaries are set to increase by four per cent in 2023, a percentage that’s comparable to 2022, according to a new survey by LifeWorks Inc. The survey, which polled more than 500 Canadian employers, found while roughly six per cent of organizations froze their base salaries in 2022, fewer than two per cent plan […]