Healthcare in the U.S. is about to cost more, this according to a survey by Buck Consultants. The Health Care Reform Readiness Survey of more than 200 professionals in U.S. healthcare organizations indicates that while patients will benefit from reform, employer health plans and hospitals are likely to experience challenges. Employee benefits The majority of […]
The average Canadian is eager to retire by the age of 61, but nearly half (48%) do not feel they are financially prepared for a satisfactory retirement, according to an Ipsos Reid survey conducted for HomEquity Bank. The survey polled 1,054 Canadians ages 45 to 60. Debt is a major factor affecting the financial stability […]
A New Brunswick task force charged with reviewing pension reform wants to hear what you think. The task force is examining new forms of risk management practices and regulatory structures adopted by other jurisdictions, and assessing whether these concepts can be adapted in New Brunswick. The three-member panel of pension experts includes Paul McCrossan, an […]
Watch this video Chad Lewis, founder of Intercultural Focus—Boston, discusses how increasing cultural diversity in Canada and in the workplace has changed the way plan sponsors need to communicate with their members. He says the changing cultural landscape means sponsors may need to reach out in new ways, need to make their communications as clear […]
The Professional Institute of the Public Service of Canada (PIPSC) is the latest organization to speak out against the Canadian Federation of Independent Business’s (CFIB) recent campaign against public sector pensions. PIPSC has released a video indicating plans to launch an awareness campaign targeted specifically at disproving the CFIB’s claims. In the video, PIPSC vice-president […]
Watch this video To simplify your DC plan for members, consider addressing the savings side rather than the investment side, says Marc Poupart, director of pension and retirement programs for Hudson’s Bay Company. Am I going to have enough to retire? When can I retire? How can I do it? These are the basic questions […]
Watch this video When it comes to disability management, early communication between the company and its benefits provider is key, particularly when dealing with complex or contentious issues, says Adrian Ebrahimi, manager of Canadian benefits for TD Bank Financial Group. For his organization, forming a collaborative relationship with the vendor and addressing issues at an […]
The Public Sector Pension Investment Board’s annual report boasted a healthy 14.5% return for the 2011 fiscal year, resulting in a gain of $7 billion and an approximate $58 billion in net assets for the year ending March 31, 2011. However, despite these positive figures, the public sector DB plan has been under attack from […]
Watch this video One of the biggest trends in today’s investment environment is a shift to globalization. “Investors are looking beyond stocks and bonds in their portfolio and within stocks and bonds, they’re looking beyond their own borders,” says Catherine LeGraw, investment strategist with BlackRock. “The Canadian investor’s equity portfolio used to be 50% within […]
Watch this video For Michelle Peshko, senior advisor for pensions investments with Xstrata, money markets only make up a small piece of a plan member’s financial portfolio; however, she says they may be appropriate, depending on your objectives. “It comes back to your objective with your plan. If your plan is to ensure that each […]