The combination of several innovations in defined contribution pension plan design can dramatically improve retirement readiness across income levels, according to a new report by Mercer. Its annual retirement readiness barometer analyzed the impact of two key innovations — variable payment life annuities and exposure to alternative investments like private markets — alongside plan flexibility […]
PepsiCo Canada may be known for quenching thirst and satisfying snack cravings, but the organization’s leadership recently identified another kind of demand: clearer, more personalized financial guidance for employees. The organization already had a comprehensive suite of financial benefits, including savings programs and educational resources, and employees were using them. “We already had strong engagement […]
In its sophomore year under its new branding, the Employee Savings Survey (previously known as the CAP Member Survey) reflects the changing landscape of workplace savings programs as plan members face competing financial priorities and employers step up to expand their offerings. Going even further, some of this year’s results were broken down into different […]
A third of U.S. plan sponsors say they’re very or extremely confident in their participants’ ability to retire at their target age, up from just 18 per cent one year ago, according to a new survey by MFS Investment Management. The survey, which polled more than 150 U.S. defined contribution pension plan sponsors, found their […]
In its sophomore year under the Employee Savings Survey banner, Benefits Canada’s annual check in with plan members about their financial priorities and the condition of their workplace savings journeys dove deeper into the demographic data. In a virtual panel discussion on March 30, industry experts shared their views on the 2026 results by exploring the […]
On average, women retire with 27 per cent less savings than men, according to a new report from Sun Life Financial Inc. The report, based on two surveys of members in workplace retirement savings plans administered by Sun Life, found women are consistently underutilizing these plans, despite living longer and spending more years in poorer […]
The Financial Services Regulatory Authority of Ontario is marking its fourth annual Pension Awareness Day today by encouraging employees to understand their employer-sponsored retirement plan and ensure they’re on track to retire comfortably and on time. This year’s campaign is focusing on the FSRA’s three keys to retirement security: employees’ understanding of workplace pension plans, […]
A proposed retirement plan tax credit for small- and medium-sized employers could reduce cost barriers to offering employer-sponsored retirement programs, according to a new report by the C.D Howe Institute. It noted more than nine million working Canadians lack access to a workplace retirement plan, with the gap most pronounced among employees of SMEs. As […]
An article on the suspension of the board chair at the Colleges of Applied Arts and Technology pension plan was the most-read article on BenefitsCanada.com this past week. Here are the top five human resources, benefits, pension and investment stories of the last week: 1. CAAT pension plan’s board chair suspended following senior executives’ departure […]
UAP Inc. is supporting employee financial well-being and retirement readiness with an enhanced retirement toolkit. The toolkit contains a range of information for employees approaching retirement, from financial preparation — including information on the company’s pension and budgeting tips — to the potential impact on mental health that can take place after exiting a full-time […]