With the introduction of Bill 132 in the Ontario legislature last week, pension plan sponsors should be aware of a number of amendments coming to the Pension Benefits Act. If passed, the changes will affect sections of the act that cover electronic communications, missing plan members and the conversion of single-employer pensions into a jointly […]
A new Canadian core real estate fund has attracted more than $1.25 billion in equity commitments in its first subscription tranche, materially exceeding targets. RBC Global Asset Management’s Canadian core real estate fund was announced in March 2019, along with the British Columbia Investment Management Corp. and QuadReal Property Group. The fund brings together more […]
The Public Sector Pension Investment Board and Aviva Investors are teaming up to invest £250 million in a commercial property in Cambridge, U.K. The agreement marks the second time the two organizations have teamed up on a real estate investment. In 2015, they invested in a portfolio of commercial properties in central London, currently valued at more than £400 million. […]
Governments in Asia are stepping up their pension reforms to boost retirement savings adequacy, potentially generating business opportunities for asset managers operating in the region. Retirement income security is a top concern for Asian governments, noted a press release from Cerulli Associates. In response to aging and other pension challenges in the region, governments are amending […]
The Empire Life Insurance Co. is partnering with Rimouski, Que.-based insurtech company Magik-Net to build a real-time platform for third-party administrators. The platform aims to help TPAs handle tasks related to the administration of employers’ group benefits plans. It’s also designed to reduce the time insurers spend processing files and confirming successful transactions. Read: The value-added proposition of group […]
Canadian defined benefit pension plans posted a median 1.7 per cent return in the third quarter of 2019, down from 2.7 per cent in the previous quarter, according to the latest RBC Investor and Treasury Services’ universe. In comparison to the same quarter last year, the returns represent an improvement, with DB plans posted a meagre […]
Hub International Ltd. is acquiring RBI Advisory Group, an Okotoks, Alta.-based employee benefits consultancy. RBI has been providing advisory services to employers and associations around group benefits for almost 20 years. Rick Achtymichuk, RBI’s managing partner and owner, will join Hub International Insurance Brokers, a division of Hub International Canada West ULC. Read: Hub acquiring Saskatchewan-based […]
The Canada Pension Plan Investment Board is acquiring renewable energy company Pattern Energy Group Inc. in an all-cash deal. The purchase of the San Francisco-based company is valued at $26.75 per share, which implies the company has a value of $6.1 billion, including all debt. The offer represents a 14.8 per cent premium to Pattern Energy’s closing share price […]
The Financial Services Regulatory Authority of Ontario has appointed members to its stakeholder advisory committee for the pension sector. The committee, which was introduced in July 2019, will provide advice and feedback to the regulator on sector-related matters and will form part of its stakeholder engagement process going forward. The committees members represents a cross-section of views and backgrounds. Read: FSRA […]
Maximum pensionable earnings under the Canada Pension Plan are rising from $57,400 to $58,700 for 2020. The increase takes into account the growth in average weekly wages and salaries in Canada, according to a press release. The basic exemption amount, at $3,500, will remain unchanged for 2020. Read: Feds update appeals process for EI, CPP and OAS Meanwhile, […]