Yaelle Gang, the Canadian Investment Review

Expert panel on sustainable finance recommends super tax deduction to incentivize green savings

An expert panel on sustainable finance is advocating for the government to implement a number of recommendations, including some related to pension plans and individual retirement savings accounts. For defined contribution plans, other group pension programs and registered retirement savings plans, the report suggested offering tax-based financial incentives for people who invest in accredited climate-conscious […]

June 19, 2019 November 30, 2020
08:50

Active management paying off at CPPIB, not as much at PSP

While taking an active approach to investment management is paying off for the Canada Pension Plan Investment Board, the Public Sector Pension Investment Board’s actively managed returns are similar to what they would be if it had taken a passive approach, according to a new report by the parliamentary budget officer. The PBO prepared the […]

June 11, 2019 November 11, 2020
10:11

CAPSA issues guidance on annuity quotes for pension solvency, hypothetical windup liabilities

Generally, when a pension plan goes through a solvency or hypothetical windup valuation, the actuaries will value some of the expected liabilities as commuted lump-sum payments and some as annuity payments. When valuing the annuity portion, plan actuaries often use a proxy method based on guidance from the Canadian Institute of Actuaries. Instead of this […]

May 15, 2019 September 19, 2019
09:33

A look at the ‘big rock’ decisions for DC plan sponsors

When it comes to defined contribution pension plans, some “big rock” decisions for plan sponsors will have the most impact on member outcomes, while other decisions just aren’t as significant, says Jafer Naqvi, vice-president and director of fixed income and multi-asset at TD Greystone Asset Management. The four big rocks for DC plans are contribution […]

May 6, 2019 January 9, 2021
15:00

Dutch pension fund, FTSE Russell create custom sustainable index

Amid the growing popularity of incorporating environmental, social and governance factors in investing, a Dutch pension fund is partnering with index-provider FTSE Russell to design a custom passive index that incorporates some of the United Nations’ sustainable development goals. Pensioenfonds Detailhandel has been incorporating ESG principles for almost five years, says Henk Groot, head of investments […]

April 30, 2019 September 13, 2019
10:00

OPTrust Select welcomes first members

A year after the OPSEU Pension Trust launched a new plan for nonprofit organizations, it has enrolled its first members. The OPTrust Select was launched with the goal of providing a defined benefit plan for those in Ontario’s broader public sector, charitable and nonprofit groups that don’t have their own DB plans. Seven organizations are […]

April 26, 2019 September 19, 2019
15:00

Decumulation, cyber security among initiatives in CAPSA’s latest strategic plan

The Canadian Association of Pension Supervisory Authorities has outlined its priorities for April 2019 to March 2022 in its new strategic plan, which included initiatives like focusing on defined contribution plan decumulation and cyber security. Jason Vary, president at Actuarial Solutions Inc., notes while all the identified priorities were worthwhile, some are more important than […]

April 25, 2019 September 19, 2019
09:00

Navistar Canada buys group annuity contracts, protecting DB pension

In a move protecting its defined benefit pension promise for the long haul, commercial vehicle manufacturer Navistar Canada is purchasing more than $300 million in group annuity contracts. The transactions are with RBC Insurance and iA Financial Group and valued at $333 million. From May 1, 2019, the insurers will be responsible for administering pension payments […]

February 28, 2019 September 13, 2019
09:56

Industry consulting on commuted-value standard in pension payments

The Actuarial Standards Board is consulting on changes to key components of how the commuted value for a pension plan is calculated. The commuted-value standard is used to determine how much to pay a terminating plan member who chooses to take their pension payment as a lump sum. It’s also a key part of calculating […]

February 21, 2019 September 13, 2019
15:00

Postmedia signs agreement to merge pension plans with CAAT

Postmedia Network Inc. has entered an agreement to merge its pension plans with the Colleges of Applied Arts and Technology pension plan. The merger of the Postmedia plans will be effective July 1, 2019, subject to approvals by the CAAT’s board of trustees and sponsors’ committee, as well as approval from Postmedia’s plan members and the Financial Services […]

February 1, 2019 September 13, 2019
08:30