The rapid rise in the cost of living in 2022 and into 2023 underscored the need for target-date funds to not just protect against standard inflation, but inflation shocks as well. The problem that presents is the more inflation protection that’s added into a portfolio, the lower the returns, said Nick Nefouse, managing director, global […]
The rising cost of living in the post-pandemic era has impacted all aspects of employees’ financial wellness, including retirement savings. In 2023, Hofmann-La Roche Ltd. examined the savings needs of its multigenerational workforce and determined more flexibility was required to encourage employees to set aside retirement savings, said Rana Kassab (pictured right), the company’s director […]
Despite declining annuity rates, Canadian capital accumulation plan members retiring at the end of September experienced some of the best outcomes in more than 13 years, according to a new report by Eckler Ltd. The consultancy’s latest CAP income tracker found a typical male member retiring at the end of September 2024 achieved a gross […]
While the Canadian Association of Pension Supervisory Authorities’ updated capital accumulation plan guideline contains several key updates with regard to plan sponsor and member responsibilities, smaller plan sponsors may face administrative challenges in applying the guidance, says Jordan Fremont, a partner at Stikeman Elliott LLP’s pensions and benefits group. “Because [the guideline] is so detailed, I […]
Strong growth for stocks on Wall Street this year have helped juice gains for savers with retirement accounts. The average 401(k) plan balance stood at US$127,100 at the end of the second quarter, an increase of 13 per cent from the same period last year, according to data from Fidelity Investments drawn from 24 million […]
Four years ago, as the coronavirus pandemic entered its third month, I unknowingly — and unwittingly — took my first steps towards a new chapter in my career. As a writer for a Canadian travel trade publication, I was suddenly without work as the health crisis brought the global travel industry to a screeching halt. […]
While a majority of U.S. employees say they’re very confident (39 per cent) or confident (29 per cent) they’re doing a good job preparing for retirement, nearly two-thirds (62 per cent) either strongly or somewhat agree that preparing for retirement makes them feel stressed, according to a new survey by the Employee Benefit Research Institute. […]
Employers can leverage artificial intelligence to enhance the employee experience, including improvements to defined contribution pension communication, said John Bradley, director of emerging technologies at Fidelity Investments, during a session at Benefits Canada’s 2024 DC Plan Summit in February. “For a good employee experience to take place, an employee has to feel like the majority […]
Financial literacy initiatives and a wide range of capital accumulation plan options are key components in supporting the financial health of midwives, said Nicole Mellin, executive director of the Association of Ontario Midwives Benefits Trust (pictured left), during a session at Benefits Canada’s 2024 Defined Contribution Plan Summit in February. The association provides its roughly […]
While real assets are largely absent among the investment options offered by Canadian defined contribution pension plans, they can offer significant long-term benefits to plan members, said Andrew Knox, managing director of Franklin Templeton Investments’ global real assets fund, during a session at Benefits Canada’s 2024 DC Plan Summit in February. “[Defined contribution] investors in […]