7:00 – 8:30 AM:

Breakfast (Bengal Room)

8:30 – 9:00 AM:

Opening remarks/Bear pit: Exposing truths (Crystal Ballroom)

9:00 – 10:00 AM

Opening keynote speaker

Bouncing back: Growth is coming

Moments of disruption are never without precedent. There are distinct historical patterns at work over the last three centuries that show plenty of context for what we’re going through now and what’s to come in the near future. We are living in a series of repetitive cycles, known as resets, that readjust the operating system of our very world. While they’re complex, they’re still predictable in their outcome.

In this presentation, Leonard Brody will aim to shift perspectives on what we’re going through and understand that the success stories in the coming years will be tied to leaders who master these cycles and are prepared to bounce back. He’ll help plan sponsors and their organizations prepare to lean into the inevitability of a coming recovery. We know factually that periods of upheaval are always followed by economic growth. What changes are permanent and what’s only short term? How can we harness that? And how can we adjust business frameworks to move smoothly and smartly into the future ahead? Brody will answer these questions and more, illuminating the big picture with proven research, experience and insights.

Speaker: Leonard Brody, Emmy-nominated business visionary

10:00 – 10:30 AM:

Stress, finances and well-being – Insights on the current mindset of Canadians

The past two years have been a roller coaster ride for many – it has impacted us emotionally, mentally and physically. This session will explore how these impacts have manifested in the different mindsets and perceptions of Canadians today. DC plan sponsors will gain key insights on the effects of financial stress on Canadian’s lives, as well as how to leverage these insights in everyday practice through a study conducted by Manulife’s Canadian retirement business.

Speaker: Margaret Adaniel, head of retirement marketing, Canada, Manulife Investment Management

10:30 – 11:00 AM:

Networking break (Palm Court)

11:00 – 11:30 AM:

The impact of financial well-being on total well-being

Scotiabank encourages its employees to be able to bring their best selves to work and life, every day. That’s why the bank is focused on total well-being — and financial well-being is a crucial part of that. This area has been a key focus for Scotiabank over the years, with the well-being offering continuing to evolve with employees’ needs and interests. This session will highlight the multi-media approach that Scotiabank is taking to simplify its financial well-being strategy, including its DC plan, to help employees — in Canada and globally — achieve better overall total well-being.

Speaker: Simon Cabral, director of global DC plans, Scotiabank

11:30 AM – 12:00 PM:

Investing for a lifetime: Considerations for a five-generation workforce

Meeting the investment needs of an evolving workforce requires consideration of both the plan member and the investing horizon. What are the key risks and priorities for members in the workforce as their age and tenure grow and how can a multi-asset class strategy, such as a target-date fund, meet these needs? This session will follow three DC plan members along the glide path, their investing journey and how that journey needs to evolve over time to meet such challenges as deglobalization, market volatility and aging.

Speaker: Ruthann M. Pritchard, institutional portfolio manager, global asset allocation, Fidelity Investments

12:00 – 1:00 PM:

Lunch (Rose Garden)

1:00 – 1:45 PM:

Financial (r)evolution: Decumulating retirement assets through dynamic pension pools

In late 2021, the National Institute on Ageing and the Global Risk Institute co-published a paper on dynamic pension pools, a promising decumulation tool for Canadians who wish to convert their retirement savings into lifetime income. This session tracks the recent evolution of this 350-year-old idea by exploring modern working prototypes and some emerging implementations, both at home and abroad. The session also looks to the future, sketching out the revolutionary impact that dynamic pension pools could have on retirement security and on our entire pension legislative framework.

Speaker: Barbara Sanders, associate professor in statistics and actuarial science, Simon Fraser University

1:45 – 2:15 PM:

Why Is 50% considered a niche?

The role of women has evolved over the years, along with their needs and concerns. Women are faced with the challenges of rising health care costs, planning a family and saving for their long-term financial future. This session will outline the unique generational challenges facing women and the opportunities that exist for financial professionals and will offer ways to better target, retain and connect with this underserved and underrepresented demographic.

Speakers: 

Jenine Garrelick, senior managing director, MFS Fund Distributors Inc.

Nadia Savva, director of insurance platforms and subadvisory, MFS Investment Management

2:15 – 2:45 PM:

High tea networking break

2:45 – 3:25 PM:

Building resilient workplace pension plans for a sustainable future

Having a sustainability strategy is fast becoming table stakes for organizations as clients, employees and key stakeholders are increasingly requiring transparency and accountability from the organizations with whom they build relationships. Moderated by Sun Life, this panel discussion will explore the respective sustainability journeys of Definity and Western University. It will highlight the importance of a sustainability strategy in attracting and retaining top talent, as well as its role in building resilient organizations and better communities. Panellists will share examples of how each organization is adopting, embedding and championing sustainability efforts within their organizations while also illuminating how ESG, DEI and net-zero considerations can drive value and better retirement outcomes. Plan sponsors will leave with actionable insights to help them along their sustainability journey no matter where their organization is along their journey.

Panellists:

Lianne Buchanan, assistant vice-president, total rewards, Definity Insurance

Louise Koza, director, human resources digital and operations, Western University

Moderator:

Eric Monteiro, senior vice-president, Sun Life Group Retirement Services

3:25 – 4:05 PM:

A look at TELUS’ journey toward decumulation

As many Canadian employers consider adding decumulation options within their defined contribution pension plan, TELUS will share its story — from the early stages of considering decumulation products to the implementation process late last year to how it communicated the rollout and the feedback received from plan members so far. The session will also focus on the importance of keeping it simple while making the case for why a continuum of guidance, tools, advice and financial planning may lead to better engagement and outcomes for plan members.

Speakers:

Carol Craig, director of pensions and benefits, TELUS

Jennifer Katzsch, Regional vice-president, Western Canada, group retirement savings, Desjardins Insurance

6:00 – 9:00 PM:

Cocktails and dinner (Shaughnessy Ballroom)