In 2021, the Saskatchewan Healthcare Employees’ Pension Plan set out to gauge just how well-versed its 60,000 members were about their defined benefit pension plan. The SHEPP launched a six-week survey focused on member demographics, their perception and understanding of the plan, expectations, communications preferences and interest in retirement topics. The survey yielded interesting results, […]
The Ontario Teachers’ Pension Plan is appointing Charley Butler as its chief pension officer, effective Jan. 1, 2023. In the role, Butler will oversee the administration of pensions and report to Jo Taylor, president and chief executive officer of the Ontario Teachers’. She’ll succeed Tracy Abel, the chief operations officer who has been managing the […]
An article on how Canada compares to other countries in terms of its vacation day offering was the most-read story on BenefitsCanada.com over the last week. Here are the five most popular news stories of the week: 1. Canada ranks 39 out of 43 countries for vacation day offering: report 2. Coke Canada expanding coverage for mental-health, family-building […]
In 2014, Colyn Lowenberger, then the director of pension and disability administration at the City of Regina, heard a knock at his office door — it was opportunity. After walking into the room, the chair of the Regina Civic Employees’ Superannuation and Benefit Plan asked Lowenberger to discuss a list of concerns about the defined […]
In 2022, the University Pension Plan implemented a growth plan, investment strategy, climate action plan and administration system. In a note to the jointly sponsored defined benefit pension plan’s 37,000 members, Barbara Zvan, its president and chief executive officer, touted the achievements during the UPP’s first full calendar year as well as the plans for its second. […]
In January, the Canadian Association of Pension Supervisory Authorities established a new committee with a mandate to develop a risk management guidance. In the CAPSA’s view, by having an adequate system for managing risks, “plan administrators are better positioned to keep pension assets safe and protect the plan from adverse risks.” Coinciding with this initiative, […]
An article on Thomson Reuters’ new vacation policy was the most-read story on BenefitsCanada.com over the last week. Here are the five most popular news stories of the week: 1. Thomson Reuters supporting employee well-being with new vacation policy 2. Expert panel: What does it mean for pension plan members to live separate and apart? 3. 42% of Canadian […]
While pension plan administrators know about their plan members’ employment history and salaries, they may not expect to learn much about their personal lives, including how often they text their spouse or whether they have family dinners every night. However, in most jurisdictions, the spouse of a defined benefit plan member is entitled to a joint […]
Since employers play a key role in supporting pension growth, policy-makers should consider their involvement when implementing pension reforms, according to a new report by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development. The report found OECD member countries can optimize employer involvement by reducing financial and administrative barriers that prevent employers from establishing pension plans, […]
The Saskatchewan government is introducing amendments to its pension legislation that provide additional flexibility for plan sponsors and introduce new decumulation options for members of defined contribution plans. The bill, which passed first reading in provincial parliament last week, includes provisions for DC plan sponsors to offer advanced life deferred annuities and variable payment lifetime […]