The median solvency ratio of Ontario defined benefit pension plans increased to 124 per cent during the third quarter of 2025, an increase of two per cent from the previous quarter, according to a new report by the Financial Services Regulatory Authority of Ontario. The percentage of pension plans that were projected to be fully […]
While emerging forms of artificial intelligence such as agentic AI may hold promises and challenges for pension plan sponsors, the human touch remains important when advising plan members on financial decisions, said Francis Boulianne, principal in Normandin Beaudry’s group benefits practice, during a recent webinar hosted by the consultancy. “[Chatbots] were never intended to replace […]
A new regime of higher bond yields is pushing defined benefit pension plan sponsors around the world to diversify asset holdings and increase liability-driven investment flows, according to a new report by FTSE Russell. Despite a nearly 10-year low for credit spreads, high absolute yields increased discount rates sharply for DB plans, particularly in the […]
The number of Canadians who are active members of a registered pension plan is increasing, according to a new report by Statistics Canada. It found between 2022 and 2023, overall pension plan membership grew by 4.2 per cent to more than 7.2 million members. During the same period, the number of women enrolled in registered […]
The estimated funded status of the 100 largest U.S. public defined benefit pension plans rose to 102.9 per cent in April, up slightly from 102.7 per cent at the end of March, according to a new report by Milliman Inc. It found an increase in discount rates shaved US$10 billion off liabilities and helped offset […]
The ratio of the market value of assets to the projected benefit obligation for a hypothetical benchmark plan changed little for global defined benefit pension plans in the third quarter of 2024, according to a new report by WTW. It found this ratio increased among DB plans in Brazil (0.9 per cent), Canada (1.2 per […]
A recent Quebec Superior Court decision has unleashed uncertainty over the liabilities of companies and their directors when a pension deficit appears in the context of a reorganization. The court authorized a group of defined benefit pension plan members to proceed with a $65 million class action against companies involved in a 2011 reorganization. The […]
With many Canadian defined benefit pension plans in a strong funded position, plan sponsors, particularly those with unionized workforces, are increasingly discussing the use of surplus funds, says Gavin Benjamin, a partner in the retirement and benefits solutions practice at Telus Health. The funded position of a typical Canadian defined benefit pension plan rose on […]
The estimated funded status of the 100 largest U.S. public defined benefit pension plans rose to 79.9 per cent in June, from 79.4 per cent at the end of May, according to a new report by Milliman Inc. It found public DB plans in the report saw individual estimated returns ranging between 0.4 per cent […]
One of the many consequences of the coronavirus pandemic was an unprecedented interest in the life expectancy of Canadians. While the increased focus on life expectancy seemed to wane once the worst of the pandemic had passed, a recent report by the Canadian Institute of Actuaries on mortality improvements has brought the topic of life […]