In a new white paper, the Association of Canadian Pension Management is urging the federal government to reform the Income Tax Act rules for registered pension plans. In the ACPM’s view, ITA reforms are required to build on government initiatives aimed at increasing retirement savings by updating the tax rules released in 1992 so they better reflect today’s socioeconomic environment and Canadians’ […]
More Canadians are using tax-free savings accounts than registered retirement savings accounts, at 57 per cent compared to 52 per cent, according to a new survey by the Royal Bank of Canada. It found TFSAs are now the preferred option among Canadians aged 55 or over, a group that has primarily focused on RRSPs in […]
The complexities of income tax at retirement can come as a shock to pensioners, but most plan sponsors are providing limited assistance in helping their retiring employees deal with these issues. “In our experience, much of the communication and education provided by employers/sponsors or their plan record keeper focuses on basic retirement and investment knowledge, […]
Mercer and Wealthsimple Inc. are teaming up to create a digital saving and investing platform for Canadian employees. Mercer Invest Wise, which is a voluntary savings tool, is intended to be included in a total rewards package. Accessible online and as a mobile app, it allows employees to manage various savings and investment accounts, such as their […]
Shaw Communications Inc.’s Kristina Humphreys talks financial well-being, plan flexibility and league hockey. Q. What top challenges do you face in your role? A. A big challenge is finding effective ways to communicate with our employees because it’s across many locations, demographics, different career points, etc. Also, retirement may feel very far away for a […]
Though more than half of Canadian capital accumulation plan members feel financially prepared for retirement, there’s a distinct difference across generations. Given their proximity to retirement, it’s no surprise baby boomers (69 per cent) are the age cohort most likely to agree they feel prepared, compared to 59 per cent of generation X and 41 […]
In determining which savings options to offer employees, a key component is understanding the workforce and its goals, as well as communicating the offering in a way they can understand, according to a panel on engaging workers in defined contribution pensions at Benefits Canada’s 2019 DC Plan Summit in Banff, Alta. in February. Thak Bhola, […]
Employers could play a role in encouraging low-income Canadians to save more for retirement by offering group tax-free savings accounts, according to a report by the Institute for Research on Public Policy. The report found that, since their introduction in 2009, TFSAs have become nearly as popular as registered retirement savings plans, and could even go […]
A new paper from Ryerson University’s National Institute of Ageing is calling for the creation of workplace tax-free pension plans to better support Canadians’ financial security in retirement. Under the current workplace registered pension plan model, noted the research, lower to middle income Canadians are essentially discouraged from saving for retirement due to the potential financial […]
In a showdown between tax-free savings accounts and registered retirement savings plans, Canadians have a clear favourite: more than half said they prefer to put their money in a TFSA, according to a new survey by the Bank of Montreal (BMO). The problem is almost one-third (32 per cent) don’t know the difference between the two savings plans. Among millennials, […]