There’s no question that Canadians value their private health benefits, even with pharmacare discussions back on the table. In a recent Abacus Data study, 78 per cent of respondents said they feel group benefits plans increase the availability and affordability of health services in Canada, as opposed to undermining universal health coverage. Furthermore, 92 per […]
With the 2015 merger of Kraft Foods and H.J. Heinz Co., Kraft Heinz Canada was left with a “mixed bag” of savings and retirement programs. It’s goal for a new streamlined program was a mandatory base plan and a voluntary component with 100 per cent employee participation. “It was important for us to come together […]
Scotiabank has promoted Ayman Alvi to vice-president of global pension and benefits. Alvi joined the bank in 2019 as director of global benefits. Previously, he was a senior manager and consulting actuary at KPMG in Canada, a manager at PricewaterhouseCoopers, an actuarial associate at Willis Towers Watson (now WTW) and a senior pension specialist at […]
Hub International Canada West is entering a strategic agreement with National Bank Insurance Firm Inc. to acquire all of NBIF’s group insurance activities based in Edmonton. “We are excited the group insurance services team of NBIF has joined us and will help strengthen our employee benefits solutions for [plan sponsor] clients in Western Canada,” said […]
A quarter (26 per cent) of U.S. employers are considering expanding the abortion services they cover, according to a new pulse survey by the International Foundation of Employee Benefit Plans. Almost half (46 per cent) of respondents said they aren’t making any changes to coverage levels, while 26 per cent don’t know or are waiting […]
More than two-thirds (70 per cent) of large U.S. employers are planning to beef up their benefits plans in 2023 to enhance their attraction and retention efforts, according to a new survey by Mercer. The survey, which polled more than 700 employers, found a third (32 per cent) of large employers already offer inclusive family-building […]
Two-fifths (40 per cent) of U.S. employees and one in five U.K. workers say their employer has introduced new childcare programs or subsidies over the past year, according to a survey by software company Beqom. The survey, which polled 2,000 employees in the U.K. and the U.S., found 45 per cent of U.S parents and 42 […]
The ‘Great Resignation’ is ushering in a period of great transformation for employers, the workforce and the workplace of the future, said Charmaine Alexander, senior advisor of disability management at Desjardins Insurance, during a session at Benefits Canada’s 2022 Benefits and Pension Summit on June 1. With labour shortages continuing to plague the workforce, Alexander believes […]
Telus Corp. is acquiring LifeWorks Inc. for a total transaction value of $2.9 billion. The agreement will see Telus purchase the digital health and wellness provider for the total consideration of about $2.3 billion in cash and the assumption of about $600 million in LifeWorks’ debt, said Doug French, Telus’ chief finance officer and executive […]
Many U.S. employers are adding travel coverage for employees travelling for an abortion, amid recent restrictions imposed by several states. Among the employers offering this coverage are Amazon.com Inc., Apple Inc., Citigroup Inc., Levi-Strauss & Co., Microsoft Inc. and Yelp Inc. Currently, 13 states have imposed restrictions to abortion access and, if the Supreme Court […]