Three-quarters (76 per cent) of U.K. employers offer alternative cash benefits to high earners in lieu of pension contributions, according to a new survey by WTW. From April 6, 2024, the U.K. government abolished the lifetime allowance from pension tax legislation, limiting the total amount of tax-free cash an individual can receive to a maximum […]
When designing an optimal menu of defined contribution investment options, it’s important for plan sponsors to maintain a documented rationale for the investment lineup and to continually monitor the lineup’s performance amid external factors, according to a new report by the Defined Contribution Institutional Investment Association. It found while plan sponsors typically take one of […]
In 2025, the Association of Canadian Pension Management is focusing on flexible pension plan models amid a backdrop of multiple elections taking place across Canada. Korinne Collins, chief executive officer at the ACPM, says flexibility is needed around decumulation strategies for defined contribution plans and the potential for different income tax treatments for workers looking […]
More than eight in 10 (84 per cent) U.S.-based employer-sponsored retirement plans have at least one likely Employee Retirement Income Security Act red flag from a regulatory and/or fiduciary perspective, according to a new report by consultancy Abernathy Daley 401k Consultants. The report, which analyzed filings for more than 760,000 plans, found 43 per cent […]
While a plan member lawsuit against the Ontario Teachers’ Pension Plan regarding cryptocurrency investment decisions isn’t entirely surprising, it’s not a common event in Canada, says Level Chan, a partner at Stewart McKelvey. “In Canada, it does not come up very much. It normally is only in these unique circumstances where there is kind of […]
The Financial Services Regulatory Authority of Ontario is appointing Dexter John as chief executive officer, effective March 1. John is currently the president and CEO of Morrow Sodali Canada Ltd., where he has advised on corporate governance, environmental, social and governance initiatives, shareholder engagement, executive compensation and strategic investor voting analytics. Prior to that, he […]
In response to proposed legislation that would introduce the option of variable life benefits in Ontario, the Association of Canadian Pension Management is recommending against regulating plan sponsors to disclose an expected rate of return on contributions made to a variable life benefits fund. In an open letter to the provincial Ministry of Finance, the […]
Implementation of harmonized minimum funding regulations for federally regulated defined benefit pension plans tops the Pension Investment Association of Canada’s list of advocacy priorities in 2025. Currently, DB plan sponsors are operating amid a patchwork of minimum funding regulations across the country, as most provinces have introduced requirements of their own. “A unified ‘going-concern plus’ regime […]
The cryptocurrency-friendly administration of President-elect Donald Trump and an expanding lobbying effort in statehouses could push states to become more open to crypto and lead public pension funds and treasuries to buy into it. Many bitcoin enthusiasts and investors are quick to say government-backed currencies are prone to devaluation and increased government buy-ins will stabilize […]
An article on the impact of U.S. President-elect Donald Trump’s tariff threats and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s resignation on financial markets was the most-read story on BenefitsCanada.com this past week. Here are the top five human resources, benefits, pension and investment stories of the last week: 1. Financial markets resilient in wake of Trump tariffs threat, […]