The Global Risk Institute’s Sonia Baxendale is stepping down as president and chief executive officer later this year after nearly eight years in the role. She’ll remain in the position until a successor is named to ensure continuity during the transition, according to a press release. Read: ‘The rules of the game are changing’: DB pension […]
The Canadian pension risk transfer market reached roughly $6.8 billion in 2025, down from a record $11 billion in 2024, according to a new report by Sun Life Financial Inc. The report found these transactions consisted of risk transfers valued at less than $800 million, noting 115 defined benefit plan sponsors purchased group annuities in […]
While the Canadian pension de-risking market decreased in 2025, many plan sponsors that opted to not shed liabilities last year have simply delayed these plans amid evolving economic conditions, says Mathieu Tessier, vice-president of client relationships and innovation for defined benefit solutions at Sun Life Financial Inc. “The geopolitical and economic situation of the last […]
After a record-setting 2024, the Canadian group annuity purchase market experienced a moderate slowdown in 2025, according to a new report by Normandin Beaudry. It found transaction volume reached nearly $6.9 billion, a decline of nearly 40 per cent compared with the $11 billion recorded last year and roughly 10 per cent below the average […]
CPP Investments’ chief executive officer has described the organization as a supertanker, referring to scale — a portfolio approaching $800 billion — and the inability to pivot quickly due to its investments across illiquid assets. “We need to be cognizant of that,” said Derek Walker, the organization’s managing director and head of applied research and […]
Alongside deglobalization and changing global supply chains, technology is now permeating strategy at a global level, with artificial intelligence moving from a topic of innovation to an instrument of power, according to Mai Mavinkurve, founding partner at Prosperity Global Services and a senior fellow at the Centre for International Governance and Innovation. Speaking during a […]
Danish pension fund AkademikerPension is divesting nearly US$100 million in U.S. treasuries, citing weak U.S. government finances. In a press release, Anders Schelde, the organization’s investment director, clarified the decision wasn’t made in response to recent U.S. threats to annex Greenland, a Danish territory. “It is not directly related to the ongoing division between the […]
Alberta’s Local Authorities Pension Plan and Public Service Pension Plan have launched a new board education program aimed at strengthening governance by equipping trustees with practical, decision-ready knowledge for an increasingly complex pension environment. Developed over two years in collaboration with stakeholders, the program responds to a comprehensive review of board learning needs and reflects […]
After an eventful 2025, there are several developments and trends affecting Canadian defined benefit pension plan sponsors in 2026. Focus on investment strategy Major equity markets performed well in 2025, which was a key driver for another year of improved funded positions for many DB pension plans. Although most pension plans are well funded today, […]
In 2026, the Canadian Institute of Actuaries will continue to focus on the impact of climate risk on several areas, including pension investments, says Angelita Graham, a partner at Mercer Canada and president of the CIA. Last year, the organization began working with Université du Québec à Montréal for its research chair in actuarial and […]