Statistics Canada reports that pension wealth advanced to nearly $2.6 trillion by the end of last year, an increase of 9.1% from 2011.
The increase was due to strong performance in equity markets in 2012, particularly on the international front.
Wealth in employer-based pension plans rose 9.2% (or $119 billion) to $1.4 trillion by the close of 2012. This follows a 3.6% increase (or $45 billion) in 2011.
Assets in individual registered savings plans grew to $928 billion at the end of 2012, an increase of 8% (or $69 billion) from a year earlier.
Assets held in employer-based pension plans and individual registered savings plans accounted for 91.7% of total pension wealth at the end of 2012, almost unchanged from the 92% recorded for 2011.
Wealth in social security plans—the Canada/Quebec Pension Plan—stood at $213 billion at the close of 2012, an increase of 13.7% (or $26 billion) from a year earlier.
Pension wealth accounted for 49.8% of total financial assets held by households at the end of 2012, up slightly from 49.4% in 2011.
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