An article on how flexible retirement savings plans can help employees retire early was the most-read story on BenefitsCanada.com this past week. Here are the top five human resources, benefits, pension and investment stories of the last week: 1. Flexible savings plans, employer matching allowing employees to retire earlier than planned: survey 2. Are Canadian […]
Flexible retirement savings plans and employer matching can potentially provide lower-income workers with earlier retirement options despite the rising cost of living, according to a new report by Mercer. The report analyzed two scenarios for workers earning $50,000 with workplace retirement plans that include employer matching. Read: Employer matching key to supporting young workers’ retirement […]
Two-thirds (65 per cent) of Canadian employees say they’re stressed about their finances and a quarter (27 per cent) say this stress impacts their productivity at work, according to a new survey by Wealthsimple for Business. The survey, which polled more than 500 respondents who identified as full-time employees, found nine in 10 (91 per […]
The union representing roughly 435 employees at Ivaco Rolling Mills in eastern Ontario has ratified two five-year collective agreements that include pension and benefits gains. The agreements include pension improvements to the defined contribution pension plan, with pension contributions beginning earlier upon completion of probation and employer matches of up to four per cent for […]
Amazon.com is facing a lawsuit that claims the company violated U.S. federal law by using nearly US$350 million in forfeited 401(k) funds to offset the company’s own contributions rather than to reduce administrative fees for plan participants, according to a report by Reuters. In December, Cory Curtis, an employee of the online retail company, filed a […]
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 […]
The Co-operative Superannuation Society Pension Plan is in the middle of a years-long digital transformation that’s aiming to improve member experience. In addition to introducing a modernized and secure member portal, the CSS (No. 2 on the 2024 Top 50 Defined Contribution Plans report) is planning to start leveraging artificial intelligence, says Tami Dove, the […]
Brianne Collins, age 29, has worked as a senior copywriter at a large Toronto-based advertising agency for just over a year. Collins’ agency supports employee financial wellness in several ways, including a group registered retirement savings plan, financial advice and Financial Literacy Month webinars with sessions covering various financial topics. “In busy day-to-day work, it’s […]
The union representing more than 1,600 faculty, librarians, archivists and post-doctoral researchers at York University has ratified a three-year collective agreement that includes multiple benefits gains. The agreement includes an increase in coverage for eyeglasses from $850 to $935 every 24 months, as well as an increase for paramedical services from $3,000 to $3,200. In […]
Working grandparents who are providing financial support to children and/or grandchildren are risking their own plans for retirement, says Craig Bannon, director of financial planning centre of expertise at the Royal Bank of Canada. “[They might need to] delay their retirement to extend their earning years or continue to work on a part-time basis in […]