As markets continue their turbulent ride, more pension fund investors are turning to 130/30 products and other long-short strategies to help offset the impact.”In volatile markets, most investors are looking for higher levels of alpha. That’s what 130/30’s all about,” said Young Chin, chief investment officer of Pyramis Global Advisors, speaking to Benefits Canada. “We’re […]
Canadian plan sponsors can expect to pay more for their drug plans going forward despite a levelling off of prescription drug costs in recent years.Following double-digit year-over-year increases in the 1980s and 1990s, drug cost increases have slowed somewhat over the past few years, said Barbara Martinez, a senior associate for Mercer Human Resource Consulting […]
As some governments consider restricting the ability of sovereign wealth funds to invest in their countries’ assets, the Canada Pension Plan Investment Board is taking steps to protect itself from protectionism. Benefits Canada sat down with the Board’s chair, Gail Cook-Bennett, to talk about why the CPPIB isn’t an SWF and why it’s the envy […]
William Robson recommends a new solution to an age-old problem. Chances are, you’ve never heard of Edna Parker. But her claim to fame is noteworthy. Born on April 20, 1893, she is the oldest living person in the world, at 114 years of age. Now, most pension plan members won’t live past the century mark. […]
While economic growth in Canada is expected to slow in 2008, the U.S. economy will be in for the hardest hit this year, say some of Canada’s leading economists. “I’m not prepared yet to say that the U.S. economy is in recession, but I’m not far from it,” said Sherry Cooper, chief economist for BMO […]
Impressions of a soft-spoken commissioner with substance. It was a brisk December afternoon when I walked into the office tower in downtown Toronto. I rode the elevator to the 10th floor and was greeted by a makeshift sign: Ontario Expert Commission on Pensions. An arrow pointed me toward a glass door at the end of […]
Created in late 2006, the Ontario Expert Commission on Pensions is scheduled to submit its report this summer. Benefits Canada sat down with the head of the commission to talk about the challenges and surprises of the past year, the toughest issues to solve and the next steps. What was your initial reaction when you […]
Nova Scotia’s head pension enforcer, Nancy MacNeill Smith, talks about her greatest challenges, the problems with the current regulatory system and what changes are in the works. What is your greatest challenge as the Superintendent of Pensions for Nova Scotia? In the last few years, the challenge has been to have employers and employees accept […]
Dozens of recommendations were put before the Ontario Expert Commission on Pensions. Is the finance minister listening? Almost a year to the day since former Ontario finance minister Greg Sorbara announced its creation, the Ontario Expert Commission on Pensions wrapped up its public hearings last month in Windsor, Ont. The commission, led by academic and […]
Nearly one-third of Canadian pension funds are seriously considering or are already using a 130/30 strategy, according to a new survey from Pyramis Global Advisors. Of the 157 defined benefit(DB)pension plans surveyed. 26% are seriously considering a 130/30 strategy while another 4% have already implemented the strategy, also known as limited shorting. With the strategy, […]