The Financial Services Regulatory Authority of Ontario’s proposed family rule could allow for pension benefits to be divided more fairly in the event of a marriage breakdown, says Louis Duranleau, a senior principal of pensions at Normandin Beaudry. “When there’s an agreement between the spouses to share the retiree’s pension before it’s effectively divided in […]
Nova Scotia-based private employers can now transfer their pension plans into the Public Service Superannuation Plan. The Private Sector Pension Plan Transfer Act, which received royal assent on Nov. 9, provides all employers based in the province with the option of offering or continuing to offer a defined benefit pension plan with a prescribed funding […]
Increased volatility, stubborn inflation and erratic interest rates are making for financially uncertain times, where it can be more reassuring to seek safety in shared risk, rather than shouldering financial ambiguity alone. Celebrated for their pooled assets and shared risk, multi-employer pension plans are gaining traction. Tami Dove, director of member experience at the Co-operative […]
The Canadian Association of Pension Supervisory Authorities’ draft guideline for pension plan risk management covers too many topics and audiences, limiting its practical applicability, according to the Association of Canadian Pension Management. In an open letter, the ACPM said the draft guideline lacks a structural framework that would allow pension plan administrators to implement a […]
The Nova Scotia Labour Board has ordered St. Mary’s University to resume making pension contributions for employees on long-term disability leave, reasoning that the pension committee had no authority to make changes to contribution levels mandated by the plan. “The board found that amendments to the pension plan proposed by the pension committee — the […]
The Ontario government’s new funding framework for target-benefit plans will provide more flexibility for plan administrators and boards, says Domenic Barbiero, principal at Eckler Ltd. The proposed framework requires trustees to establish a number of policies, including funding, benefits, communications and overall governance. “This proposal is the second iteration of a proposal from the Ministry […]
An article on the most recent changes to the Canada Labour Code was the most-read story on BenefitsCanada.com over the last week. Here are the five most popular news stories of the week: How recent Canada Labour Code updates are impacting federally regulated employers Report finds fewer employees going above and beyond in their jobs Half of […]
The Financial Services Regulatory Authority of Ontario is seeking feedback on proposed updates to its guidance on pension plan administrator roles and responsibilities. The updates include new sections on managing and retaining records, responding to complaints and inquiries and communicating information to plan members in an accurate and timely manner. Jordan Fremont, a partner at […]
Ontario-based defined benefit pension plans returned, on average, 0.7 per cent on their investments in the second quarter of 2023, according to a new report by the Financial Services Regulatory Authority of Ontario. It found the positive return contributed to a small increase in the median projected solvency ratio, which increased to 116 per cent. […]
In response to the federal government’s consultation on draft amendments to pension legislation pertaining to the transfer of unclaimed benefits for missing plan members, the Association of Canadian Pension Management is suggesting the legislation include a condition to allow the transfer of assets in the case of an ongoing pension plan in addition to closed plans. […]