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 […]
The Canadian Association of Pension Supervisory Authorities has published an updated version of its guideline No. 8 for defined contribution plans, focusing on three main areas: the payout phase, plan sponsor/administrator responsibilities and advice. Introduced in March 2014, Guideline No. 8 aims to spell out the rights and responsibilities of DC plan administrators, providers and members. It […]
While defined contribution plans can currently pay variable benefits to members at retirement in British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Quebec and Nova Scotia, the Ontario government is moving forward with legislation to allow the option. But are DC plan sponsors actually interested? Michael Dodd, director of pensions, treasury and shareholder services at the Co-operators Group […]
While 2018 ushered in a number of significant changes to Ontario’s pension legislation, including a major revamping of the funding rules for defined benefit plans, additional pending changes are afoot for 2019. Other provinces, such as British Columbia, Manitoba and Nova Scotia, are also reviewing solvency funding requirements for plans registered in their respective jurisdictions. […]
The Ontario government is moving forward with legislation around variable benefits from defined contribution plans, facilitating mergers into jointly sponsored pension plans and enabling the electronic designation of beneficiaries in pension plans. In its 2018 economic outlook and fiscal review, released on Thursday, the province said it will move forward with the change, which was […]