Pension and retirement plan members in Saskatchewan can now designate beneficiaries through electronic means. The provincial government recently passed a series of amendments regarding the electronic handling of legal matters. Bill 56 specifically allows individuals to name beneficiaries electronically for certain types of plans including an employee pension, retirement, welfare or profit-sharing fund or plan, […]
An article on how employers can create health benefits and retirement plans for gig workers was the most-read story on BenefitsCanada.com over the last week. Here are the five most popular news stories of the week: 1. Expert panel: How employers can design health benefits, retirement plans for gig workers 2. Hitachi, Unifor agreement includes DB, DC pension […]
While U.S. employees say it takes $1.1 million in savings, on average, to retire comfortably, 56 per cent expect to have less than $500,000 saved, according to a new survey by Schroders. It found 36 per cent of respondents expect to save less than $250,000 and only 24 per cent expect to save $1 million […]
Whether they’re delivering takeout, chauffeuring passengers, or fixing leaky sinks, most gig workers in Canada don’t get benefits. Classified as independent contractors rather than employees, they’re excluded from employer contributions to Canada Pension Plan and Employment Insurance, they may not be protected under worker’s compensation and they can’t participate in tax-advantaged benefits programs like registered […]
An article on the potential future of pension plans in the private sector was the most-read story on BenefitsCanada.com over the last week. Here are the five most popular news stories of the week: 1. Expert panel: Are private sector employers heading toward a pension renaissance? 2. A third of Canadian employees retiring sooner than planned: survey 3. Mental-health […]
As employers increasingly customize their human resources, benefits and pension communications campaigns, how are these methods connecting with employees? Long gone are the days of chunky tomes of group benefits and pension information. Once the norm, those pages and pages of minutiae have gradually been replaced by more personalized and targeted communications. “Direct communication is […]
As the move away from traditional defined benefit plans continues and intensifies, Canada’s multi-employer pension plans are providing employers with another retirement savings option for their employees. And despite facing a number of challenges, from industries in decline to legislative obstacles, MEPPs continue to attract plan sponsors from across the country. Read: Canadian MEPPs facing challenges […]
While Canadians nearing retirement age have seen a doubling in the median value of both their assets and net worth since 1999, the prospect of a comfortable retirement remains out of reach for many employees, according to a new report by the C.D. Howe Institute. It found a quarter of Canadians aged 45 to 64 […]
A third (33 per cent) of recently retired Canadians said they retired sooner than they planned and 30 per cent of pre-retirees intend to change their retirement date because of the coronavirus pandemic, according to a new survey by RBC Insurance. It found Canadians are still largely relying on traditional retirement savings tools, such as […]
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, […]