The financial well-being of Canadians has declined over the last year, according to a new survey by Morneau Shepell Ltd. It rated Canadians’ overall financial health as of January 2021 at -2.8, indicating a decline from the previous year. Women reported a lower score (-5.1) than men (-0.6), with male respondents reporting improvement in some […]
Mercer Canada is appointing Geoffrey Melbourne as partner and wealth Canada growth leader and Neil Lloyd as Western Canada wealth leader. Melbourne (pictured left) has over 25 years of experience as a seasoned actuary, retirement consultant and client relationship manager. He joins Mercer after nearly 15 years in retirement consulting at a leading global advisory, […]
In the old days, employers would often gather employees in a dusty conference room and pass around a box of Timbits while talking at a sea of bored and confused faces about the importance of retirement savings. Not anymore. These days, many capital accumulation plan sponsors and insurers are pivoting away from dull information sessions […]
Plan sponsors in the U.S. that suspended or reduced employer-matching contributions are reinstating them or increasing their levels by 2021, said a new survey by Willis Towers Watson. According to the survey, 60 per cent of plan sponsors said they intend to match their members’ contributions at the same level as they were prior to their suspension or […]
In the wake of the coronavirus pandemic, U.S. employers are embracing flexible working arrangements and considering adopting a hybrid model for rewards and pay, said a report by Willis Towers Watson. The report showed a majority (59 per cent) of employers surveyed have workers who are currently telecommuting, including 25 per cent who are able […]
As the coronavirus pandemic continues, Canadian employers are balancing the need to reduce benefits costs while focusing on employee well-being, according to a new survey by Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. Just over half (55 per cent) of respondents said controlling costs is their top benefits-related challenge this year, with many considering measures such as variable cost […]
Canadians’ mental health declined further in October to negative 11.4, down from negative 10.2 in September, due to the prolonged strain of the coronavirus pandemic and the divisive U.S. election, according to Morneau Shepell Ltd.’s latest monthly mental-health index. “COVID-19 continues to take a toll on the mental health of Canadians and we are now […]
On the heels of winning re-election in British Columbia, the New Democratic Party’s work is just beginning, particularly in delivering on its promise to extend pensions and benefits to precarious workers across the province. In its re-election platform, the party pledged to develop a government-backed, collective benefit fund for independent contractors, self-employed and part-time workers, […]
Like a spiky meteorite, when the coronavirus pandemic hit earlier this year it demolished employer’s best-laid plans and is forcing them to find innovative ways to support, motivate and retain employees. During a virtual roundtable on Oct. 16, the 2020 Workplace Benefits Awards finalists discussed how they’ve quickly responded to everything from employee mental health to supporting financial wellness […]
With Canadian employees feeling the toll the coronavirus pandemic is taking on the economy, should policy-makers facilitate the use of workplace emergency savings plans? “We know from data that 28 per cent of Canadian households who are financially impacted by COVID in August were drawing down on their [tax-free savings accounts] and [registered retirement savings […]