In this time of global pandemic, the coronavirus is shaking up everything, with high market volatility and changing work arrangements. Everyone is worried — not only for their immediate futures, but also for the long term. “It’s pretty hard to watch the market go through the volatility that we’ve seen over the last couple of […]
Sometimes, the best way to explore the unknown is by following in the footsteps of someone who’s been there first. When it comes to in-plan decumulation options from a defined contribution pension, whether the plan was grandfathered into existing legislation or is registered in a province that allows the option, many employers — and their […]
Once again, we’re experiencing volatile markets. During these times, it’s common to hear the following statements: It isn’t time to panic. This has happened before. Make sure the pension plan’s asset mix is correct. While these messages may be good advice for individual investors, defined contribution plan sponsors should be considering how to help their employees. Here are […]
The League Against Cruel Sports is now acknowledging it dismissed an ethical vegan employee after he raised concerns over the organization’s pension plan. The employee, Jordi Casamitjana, told Benefits Canada in 2018 he was upset when he discovered the defined contribution pension provided by his employer meant his contributions were being invested in companies that were misaligned with his ethical […]
The gross income replacement levels for a typical capital accumulation plan have decreased by more than 10 per cent during the past 11-year bull market, according to a report by Eckler Ltd. After the financial crisis in late 2008 the economy rebounded, but more than a decade of strong stock returns weren’t enough to markedly improve the amount of income […]
The first major reform to the U.S. retirement system in a decade, the Setting Every Community Up for Retirement Enhancement Act, contains provisions that could be useful guides for Canadian legislators and regulators. Signed into law by President Donald Trump in December, the act, known as SECURE, is primarily aimed at addressing Americans’ difficulty in […]
The Canada Pension Plan enhancements are a strong start but the country needs to do more to help people prepare for retirement, according to a new report from Ryerson University’s National Institute on Ageing. The paper — authored by Keith Ambachtsheer, director emeritus of the International Centre for Pension Management, and Michael Nicin, executive director of […]
For the first time, defined contribution plan assets are exceeding defined benefit holdings across the world’s six largest pension markets, according to new report by Willis Towers Watson’s Thinking Ahead Institute. The report also found DC plan assets have grown at a faster rate (8.4 per cent per annum) than DB plans (4.8 per cent per annum) […]
While Canadians said they plan to retire, on average, at age 62, 59 per cent said they can’t estimate how much money they’ll need to enjoy a comfortable retirement, according to a new survey by BMO Financial Group. The survey of 1,500 Canadians also found only half of respondents are hopeful they’ll have enough money […]
The Canadian Life and Health Insurance Association is asking the federal government to develop a strategy for access to high-cost drugs and to make flexible annuity options available for a variety of retirement savings vehicles. In its 2020 budget submission to Finance Minister Bill Morneau, the association called for the federal government to work with provincial and territorial governments and […]