More than 19 months into the coronavirus pandemic, employers are focusing on enhanced mental-health offerings and streamlined communications for their benefits and pension plans. During a virtual roundtable on Oct. 14, the 2021 Workplace Benefits Awards finalists discussed the changes brought about by the pandemic and how they’ve adapted their benefits and pensions offerings, while looking […]
Canadian Forest Products Ltd.’s ongoing support for employees’ savings and retirement goals resulted in a win in the Financial wellness category at Benefits Canada’s 2021 Workplace Benefits Awards on Oct. 14. Launched in September 2020, Canfor’s three-year financial education program was initially offered to 1,100 salaried employees in Canfor’s defined benefit and defined contribution pension […]
Scotiabank’s focus on making essential pension information more accessible to plan members was recognized at Benefits Canada’s 2021 Workplace Benefits Awards on Oct. 14. The bank won in the Pension plan communications category for its streamlined approach to pension statements. In 2020, Scotiabank restructured its defined benefit pension plan statement into two versions — a simplified four-page […]
Despite the coronavirus pandemic’s impact on the U.S. not-for-profit sector in 2020, employees participated in 403(b) retirement plans at the highest level since tracking began in 2008, according to a new survey by the Plan Sponsor Council of America. The survey, which polled roughly 400 not-for-profit retirement plan sponsors, found overall retirement plan participation rose to […]
A Toronto-based seafood market is using its benefits and compensation offerings to engage employees in an industry hit particularly hard by the coronavirus pandemic. David Owen, owner of De La Mer, recently introduced a profit-sharing plan and health benefits for employees of his four stores. While the pandemic delayed the launch of these programs by […]
Benefits Canada is thrilled to announce the winners of the 2021 Workplace Benefits Awards. At a virtual roundtable and awards ceremony on Thursday, 23 finalists gathered to discuss their leading benefits and pension strategies, followed by winner announcements across 10 categories. All of the finalists represent benefits and pension plans covering nearly 300,000 Canadians. These employers are proactively and passionately aiming to […]
While renovation shows on television tend to take a sledgehammer to every surface in a house for dramatic effect, there’s another way. Defined contribution pension plans don’t need to be completely gutted to stay current. Something akin to painting an accent wall, like tweaking contribution rates, can be just as impactful and way more cost-effective. […]
Nearly half (44 per cent) of employers that offer retirement benefits said employee productivity has been better than normal over the past year, compared to 29 per cent of employers that don’t offer retirement benefits, according to a survey by Maru Group Ltd. on behalf of the Healthcare of Ontario Pension Plan. The survey, which […]
The University of Victoria Students’ Society is the first Vancouver Island employer to join the Colleges of Applied Arts and Technology pension plan’s DBplus. By joining the plan, permanent employees at the UVSS represented by the United Steelworkers will have access to a pension with early retirement options, survivor benefits and inflation protection, noted a […]
Bâtirente is naming Éric Filion (pictured) as chief executive officer, effective Oct. 6. He’ll take over the position from Daniel Simard, who is retiring after 25 years as CEO. Simard will remain with Bâtirente as a special management advisor until June 30, 2022. Read: Bâtirente unveils new plan to optimize investments across all funds Since 2016, […]