As Ontario eyes a new system of portable benefits for precarious workers, one expert says these benefits can be an important attraction and retention tool for employers, while another believes employee considerations should be prioritized amid the rise of the gig economy. Laura Williams, founder and managing partner, Williams HR Law LLP Like anything when […]
The Canadian Federation of Pensioners is taking issue with some of the Alberta government’s proposed legislative and policy updates for private sector pension laws, including a focus on transferring pension risk from plan sponsors to plan members. In its response to the provincial regulator’s consultation draft, the CFP said transferring this risk would be a significant […]
More than two-thirds (68 per cent) of U.S. employers say they’re increasing salaries and enhancing employee benefits in 2023 amid a tough labour market, according to a new survey by the International Foundation of Employee Benefit Plans. It found employers are planning to increase wages by an average of 3.9 per cent next year, while […]
Reassuring frustrated blue-collar voters, U.S. President Joe Biden on Wednesday visited Ohio iron workers to highlight federal action to shore up troubled pension funding for millions now on the job or retired — and to make his political case that he’s been a champion for workers in the White House. Biden’s speech at a Cleveland […]
Stelco Inc. is de-risking one of its defined benefit pension plans with a $1.3 billion annuity buy-in. The deal, which covers more than 7,000 United Steelworkers members and beneficiaries employed at the company’s Hamilton, Ont.-based plant, was completed in May with Brookfield Annuity Co. and Sun Life Financial Inc. Read: Stelco workers, retirees learn fate […]
The Healthcare of Ontario Pension Plan is increasing its lifetime pension for all active plan members effective Jan. 1, 2023. As an example, under the latest increase, members working full time with average earnings of $60,000 and 10 years of service in the plan before 2023 will receive an extra $1,310 per year from their lifetime pension once they retire. Members […]
Roughly two-fifths (37 per cent) of U.S. employers are increasing the quality of their existing benefits offerings to help with employee retention and attraction efforts, according to a survey by Principal Financial Services Inc. The survey, which polled 500 employers and 200 employees, found the top three enhanced benefits are short- and long-term disability insurance, […]
The economic impact of the pandemic has been unevenly distributed across various industries, with travel and transportation among the hardest-hit sectors. However, while travel restrictions and subsequent employee layoffs in these industries made headlines throughout 2020 and 2021, the pension plans provided by these employers have largely weathered any economic fallout. The impact on air […]
A majority of Canadian employers believe providing workplace retirement savings plans can improve employee attraction and retention, according to a survey by Maru Group Ltd. on behalf of the Healthcare of Ontario Pension Plan. The survey, which polled 800 Canadian employers, found 88 per cent of those that offer a defined benefit pension plan said […]
Three-quarters (75 per cent) of Canadians nearing or in early retirement said the coronavirus pandemic has them more concerned about their family’s financial security and well-being, according to a survey by Ipsos for Ryerson University’s National Institute on Ageing and HomeEquity Bank. Among respondents aged 55 to 69, 77 per cent expressed worry about their […]