The median solvency ratio of Canadian defined benefit pension plans declined in the fourth quarter of 2023, according to reports by Mercer and Aon. Mercer’s report, which tracked more than 450 DB pension plans, found the median solvency ratio declined to 116 per cent as at Dec. 31, 2023, from its previous high of 125 […]
With the arrival of the new year, there are three topics that will be important for pension plan sponsors, members and other industry stakeholders in 2024. The economy and financial markets At the end of 2023, the Canadian economy and the financial markets were still feeling the after-effects of the coronavirus pandemic. Read: Expert panel: […]
Nearly two-thirds (63 per cent) of institutional investors believe the emphasis of energy stocks over decarbonization goals is the biggest detractor of the progress surrounding environmental, social and governance investment metrics, according to a survey from Amundi Asset Management. The survey, which polled 158 institutional investors that collectively manage €1.91 trillion in assets, found respondents […]
The progression of bonds and frontier markets over the long term will be top of mind for institutional investors in the coming year, according to Andrew Forsyth, senior vice-president of institutional investment services at Franklin Templeton. Fixed income may be in the good graces of institutional investors again as higher bond yields lead the way […]
One defined contribution plan sponsor sings the praises of the traditional balanced fund, while another outlines a different option that better matches risk levels according to plan members’ life stages. Rob Jackett, senior director of finance and administration at Canadian Baptist Ministries Balanced funds are still relevant today for employer-sponsored savings plans. It’s important for employers […]
RendA+, an innovative bond instrument in Brazil, is serving as a relatively safe asset for defined contribution pension plans and lowering retirement risk, especially for those without a workplace pension plan. At a 2019 retirement security conference held in Brazil, Arun Muralidhar, chairman and chief investment officer at AlphaEngine Global Investment Solutions, proposed the introduction […]
While the majority (87 per cent) of defined contribution pension plan sponsors feel their members are somewhat or very prepared for retirement, only 63 per cent of members feel the same way, according to a new survey by Voya Investment Management. The survey, which polled 305 U.S. DC plan sponsors, 205 plan specialists and 500 […]
About half (51 per cent) of global institutional investors believe a recession is inevitable, a sentiment that runs strongest in the U.K. (67 per cent) and North America (62 per cent), according to Natixis Investment Managers’ 2024 outlook survey. The survey, which polled 500 institutional investors in 27 countries, also found among those expecting a […]
More than half (53 per cent) of the world’s largest pension funds say the prospect of a global recession is their No. 1 short-term concern and the same percentage expect a recession to take place in the next 12 months, according to a new survey by the Official Monetary and Financial Institutions Forum. The survey, which […]
The value of the total assets under management for the world’s 100 largest asset owners declined nine per cent to US$23.4 trillion as of Dec. 31, 2022, according to a new report by WTW’s Thinking Ahead Institute. Among these asset owners, pension funds retained 53 per cent of AUM, down from 60 per cent five […]