Canada’s pension plans are weathering the coronavirus pandemic, with many plans currently in their best financial shape in several years. The early days of the pandemic painted a bleak picture for institutional investors. Between Feb. 19 and March 23, 2020, the S&P/TSX composite index dropped by 37 per cent — the latter date marking the index’s lowest point […]
More than a third (36 per cent) of Canadians aged 18 to 25 have already begun planning and saving for retirement, according to a survey by online real estate investment marketplace Fundscraper Capital Inc. “It’s well documented that generation Z and younger millennials have had it much harder than previous generations when it comes to career […]
Nearly two years into the coronavirus pandemic and the uncertainties brought on by the Omicron variant, markets held up in the last three months of 2021 with capital accumulation plan member outcomes continuing to improve. According to Eckler Ltd.’s latest CAP income tracker, a typical male plan member retiring at age 65 at the end of […]
While Canadians continue to use registered retirement savings plans for retirement planning, knowledge about RRSPs has declined over the past five years, according to a new survey by BMO Global Asset Management. It found 56 per cent of respondents know how much they can contribute to the account, a six per cent decrease since 2016. […]
Higher investment fees in capital accumulation plans can potentially set an individual’s retirement date back by four years, according to Mercer’s latest retirement readiness barometer. The analysis found a person paying the median retail fee (1.9 per cent) would be retirement ready at age 70. On the other hand, someone paying the median fee available […]
Canadian Forest Products Ltd.’s new financial wellness program may have originated as the brainchild of its defined contribution pension plan committee, but it’s just as applicable to its defined benefit plan members — and the organization chose to roll it out for all employees. When you have broad financial wellness topics, it’s fine, but when […]
A thousand members of the Anglican Church of Canada’s defined contribution pension plan are joining the General Synod pension plan, effective Jan. 1, 2022. The Church-wide Lay employee pension system’s transition into the multi-employer pension plan is part of an expansion strategy to offer more Canadians better financial security in retirement, according to a press […]
The Office of the Superintendent of Financial Institutions and the Financial Services Regulatory Authority of Ontario are putting forward six recommendations for strengthening the Canadian Association of Pension Supervisory Authority’s capital accumulation plan guidelines. In a webinar hosted in November 2021, the regulators shared the outcomes of its technical advisory committee and solicited feedback from the […]
The 2022 Defined Contribution Investment Forum, held virtually on Jan. 21, explored how generational priorities impact investment options and strategies, including the growing importance of environmental, social and governance factors; the introduction of liquid investments and real assets, helping all age groups set the right glide path to retirement; and ensuring communication reaches all plan members. […]
Defined contribution plan sponsors are facing a world of disruption, from artificial intelligence and big data to the Great Resignation and the shifting of power from employers to employees. The ones that thrive will be those that flip old narratives to move forward, said Shawn Kanungo, a disruption strategist and partner at Queen & Rook Capital. […]