This session is a panel discussion about the results of Benefits Canada’s exclusive CAP Member Survey. The survey asked capital accumulation plan members about their retirement readiness, their satisfaction with and confidence in their employer-sponsored plan, their expectations for their retirement savings amid rising inflation and interest rates and how the coronavirus pandemic is continuing to affect their financial well-being. Industry experts will join Benefits Canada editor Jennifer Paterson to dive into the results and put them into context for plan sponsors.

Kenrick Hopkinson, manager, co-pilot, education and communication, group benefits and retirement solutions, iA Financial Group

Emilie Inakazu, director, benefits, pension and well-being, KPMG in Canada

Jason Vary, president, Actuarial Solutions Inc.

Plan sponsors have been adding coverage and services to their group benefit plans since the health crisis began. They don’t necessarily have the means to make changes but with the health of their plan members in decline and labour shortages making it hard to attract and retain talent, there was no choice. Two years into the pandemic, it’s time to take stock and look at which of those benefits are best suited to address new health issues.

Speaker: Charmaine Alexander, senior advisor in disability management, Desjardins Insurance

What were some key trends in drug costs and utilization last year? This session offers insights into the drug data claims activities of more than 4.8 million certificate holders in 2021, representing more than 12 million insured individuals and 150 million prescription drug claims.

Speaker: Vicky Lee, manager, pharmacy consulting, TELUS Health

Spine, muscle and nervous system conditions are responsible for a third of all lost time at work and are the leading cause of disability around the globe. As Canada enters a phase of economic recovery, the next two years will see new trends emerging that focus on workforce rehabilitation. Organizations can’t afford to not have an MSK strategy. This session will explain how to manage benefits plans that help teams stay healthy and mobile.

Speaker: Dr. Ayla Azad, chief experience officer, Canadian Chiropractic Association

In this session, Olympian Silken Laumann will speak about how Unsinkable, a social movement changing how people manage their well-being, is bridging the gap between clinical and non-clinical support for people struggling on their mental-health journey. The need for inspiring, hopeful and accessible storytelling in a safe online community has never been greater as Canada faces a mental-health care crisis. Laumann begins with her own inspiring story, told with wisdom and humour, and moves to uplifting examples from Unsinkable champions and Unsinkable youth. Attendees will come away with a shortlist of powerful storytelling resources to bring to their employees and clients.

Speaker: Silken Laumann, four-time Olympian, author and founder, Unsinkable