Canada ranks No. 15 among developed nations for retiree well-being, down from No. 10 in 2021, according to Natixis Investment Managers’ annual global retirement index. The index, which provides an overview of the relative well-being and financial security of retirees in 44 countries across four indices, ranked Canada No. 11 in health, No. 12 in […]
The modern economy is highly uncertain, with inflation and rising interest rates cutting into bottom lines everywhere. Employers are nervous as the cost of capital and the cost of their inputs seems to rise every day. But employees are nervous, too. And since no one knows when inflation will end, it’s difficult for anyone to […]
Amid a backdrop of economic uncertainty and a tight labour market, Canadian employers are still planning average salary increase budgets of 3.8 per cent, excluding salary freezes, in 2023 — a rate higher than historical trends, according to a survey by Normandin Beaudry. The survey, which polled more than 750 employers and nearly 1.8 million employees, also […]
The Alberta Investment Management Corp.’s investments declined four per cent during the second quarter of 2022, according to its quarterly report. During the quarter, the AIMCo’s net investment income dipped $9.8 billion, to $136.6 billion. In the year ending on June 30, 2022, its assets declined 6.8 per cent. Read: AIMCo returns 14.7% in record-breaking year In […]
Nearly half (48 per cent) of U.S. workers say inflation is making it difficult for them to pay for their employee benefits, according to a survey by the Hartford Financial Services Group Inc. The survey, which polled 900 employees, found although more than a third (39 per cent) said their overall health has improved thanks to […]
The second quarter of 2022 proved difficult for Bâtirente’s diversified funds, according to the organization’s investment strategy manager. “As was the case in the first quarter, Bâtirente’s diversified funds experienced a difficult second quarter performance . . . [with losses correlating with] their risk profile,” said Jean-François Dumais, in a press release. The five diversified […]
While global institutional investors expect losses to continue in the fixed income market and are concerned that central banks may be too optimistic on the peak of inflation, they’re also finding good news in alternative investments and the importance of environmental, social and governance factors, according to a new report by Aeon Investments. The report, […]
Average benefits costs for U.S. employers will increase 6.5 per cent — or more than $13,800 per employee — in 2023, according to a new report by Aon. This projection is more than double the three per cent increase to health-care budgets from 2021 to 2022, but below the 9.1 inflation figure reported through the consumer price […]
The Ontario Municipal Employees’ Retirement System is reporting a net investment return of negative 0.4 per cent — or a loss of $500 million — for the first half of 2022. During the period, the OMERS earned a net investment return of six per cent — or a gain of $6.7 billion — after reporting […]
U.S. employers are anticipating health benefits costs will rise by an average of 5.6 per cent per employee in 2023, according to early results from a survey by Mercer. The survey, which polled more than 850 U.S. employers, found if respondents made no changes to their benefits plans, the cost for the largest plans would rise […]