The Canadian Labour Congress’ wish list for the upcoming 2019 federal budget includes universal national pharmacare and pensions and retirement security. For pharmacare, the group is calling on the federal government to implement a national plan. “Budget 2019 must outline the federal government’s plan and budget future expenditures to implement a universal, single-payer pharmacare program […]
The Canadian Securities Administrators and the Investment Industry Regulatory Organization of Canada jointly published a consultation paper on crypto-trading platforms and are seeking input from market participants. “This consultation outlines a proposed regulatory framework that provides clarity for platforms, greater market integrity and protection for investors,” said Louis Morisset, CSA chair and president and chief […]
The Pension Investment Association of Canada responded positively to a recent update from the Canadian Association of Pension Supervisory Authorities’ leverage working group. The PIAC agreed with the CAPSA that pension plans are using leverage more commonly and intensively. Further, it noted a recent development to find leverage being used at the fund level, as leverage has […]
U.K. pension plans could see an easing of their liabilities, based on the latest longevity data from the country’s Institute and Faculty of Actuaries in its continuous mortality investigation (CMI). The report showed both men and women’s longevity, as of age 65, has decreased by about six months compared to 2017. Indeed, the 2018 version of […]
Since just about half of private sector workplaces in the U.S. offer some type of retirement plan, many employees in dual income houses could be failing to account for enough savings for both themselves and their spouses, according to new research by Boston College’s Center for Retirement Research. As a result, the employee with a workplace retirement […]
Assets held by Canadian trusteed pension funds slumped in market value by 0.7 per cent during the third quarter of 2018, falling to just under $1.9 trillion. Asset value did, however, grow by 7.3 per cent on a year-over-year basis, since the third quarter of 2017. Real estate investments accounted for the bulk of the […]
A workplace culture of equality is a powerful multiplier of innovation and growth, according to a study from Accenture. Research found that in Canada an employee’s innovation mindset, defined as a willingness and ability to innovate, is nearly six times higher in companies with a healthy culture of equality. This means a work environment where everyone can […]
While 2018 was challenging for investors, the year ended on a positive note for the Healthcare of Ontario Pension Plan, with its assets growing to $79 billion in 2018, representing investment return of 2.17 per cent, compared to 10.88 per cent in 2017. “Despite market challenges, the investment team was successful in positioning the fund […]
The government of Nova Scotia is making changes to its Pension Benefits Act with the aim of offering greater flexibility for defined benefit plan sponsors. The changes include the introduction of reserve accounts, the removal of the current limits on the use of letters of credit, as well as allowing for the discharge of liability when a plan […]
Buy-in and buyout annuity sales hit their highest level in Canadian history in 2018, reaching $4.5 billion, an increase of $800 million over 2017, according to data from Eckler Ltd. The purchases represent a 20 per cent increase in the volume of group annuities bought by Canadian pension plans, year over year. Buy-in annuities, which made up more than […]