Sometimes, the best way to explore the unknown is by following in the footsteps of someone who’s been there first. When it comes to in-plan decumulation options from a defined contribution pension, whether the plan was grandfathered into existing legislation or is registered in a province that allows the option, many employers — and their […]
Defined contribution pension plans in Ontario can now offer variable benefits to their plan members. The provincial government passed a series of regulations under the Pension Benefits Act to allow the accounts, bringing it in line with every other jurisdiction in Canada except for New Brunswick and Newfoundland and Labrador. “The important thing is that […]
The holiday season is a time to reflect on the events of 2019 and how they may affect trends in the year to come. I predict a couple of trends on the pension landscape in 2020: much needed progress on the expansion of decumulation options and the outsourcing of the chief investment officer function. Expansion of […]
Pension plan stakeholders will see a continued evolution of both short- and long-term reform, with some significant developments expected in 2020. “Hopefully, Ontario will finalize the rules for its target benefit regime — perhaps we’ll see the introduction of single employer target-benefit rules — and there should be some action on variable benefits because the […]
On the same day Keith Dixon began working at the University of Victoria, the campus gained another new addition: its combination pension plan. Introduced in July 1968, the plan is fairly unique in the world of Canadian pensions. It operates on a defined contribution basis, with the university and plan members each contributing. But when […]
When it comes to investing member contributions, the Co-operators Group Ltd.’s defined contribution pension doesn’t look like many other Canadian plans. For one, it doesn’t use a platform approach to investing. Instead, much of its more than $1 billion in assets under management are part of a pre-constructed balanced fund with different target-risk levels with […]
Whether operating in Canada or the United States, defined contribution plan sponsors are facing the same challenges around demographics, plan design and their employees’ retirement readiness. On the demographics front, more baby boomers are retiring and taking their pension balances with them. As DC plans lose members, plan sponsors may see a rise in costs […]
The federal government’s proposals around advanced life deferred annuities and variable payment life annuities represent significant enhancements in decumulation options for Canadian capital accumulation plan members, according to a letter from the Pension Investment Association of Canada. In the association’s feedback to the government, it encouraged the facilitation of the broadest potential access for Canadian savers in […]
While the Pension Investment Association of Canada is praising Ontario’s 2019 budget proposals, it’s also questioning how the provincial government is planning to implement them. In a letter to provincial Finance Minister Vic Fedeli, the association noted further clarification is needed around the introduction of variable benefits. “While we are pleased that 50 per cent unlocking will be available […]
The Canadian Association of Pension Supervisory Authorities has outlined its priorities for April 2019 to March 2022 in its new strategic plan, which included initiatives like focusing on defined contribution plan decumulation and cyber security. Jason Vary, president at Actuarial Solutions Inc., notes while all the identified priorities were worthwhile, some are more important than […]