FSRA – Benefits Canada.com

FSRA releases final guidance on impact of marriage breakdown on pension benefits

bwolfe — Fri, 12 Nov 2021 20:00:01 +0000

The Financial Services Regulatory Authority of Ontario is clarifying its guidance on the administration of pension benefits upon marriage breakdown. The final guidance, which came into effect on Nov. 9, 2021, clarifies the FSRA’s position on issues relating to valuation, payment and division and survivor benefits. It stated pension assets are to be valued based on […]

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Automatic features in DC pension plans may benefit members: FSRA

mdunne — Fri, 12 Nov 2021 14:00:52 +0000

The Financial Services Regulatory Authority of Ontario is encouraging defined contribution pension plan sponsors and administrators to evaluate the use of automatic features within the context of their plans. New guidance posted to the FSRA’s website affirms that the Pension Benefits Act and its regulations don’t prohibit the use of automatic features in defined contribution pension […]

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FSRA seeking input on draft guidance for communication of pension enforcement actions

bwolfe — Fri, 13 Aug 2021 13:05:16 +0000

The Financial Services Regulatory Authority of Ontario is seeking feedback on proposed guidance detailing how and when it publishes information about enforcement proceedings and investigations, including those related to pension plans and administrators. According to the draft guidance, this includes the use of news releases and public postings of enforcement actions on the FSRA’s website […]

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Ontario DB pension plan average funded ratio reaches 106%: report

Gideon Scanlon — Wed, 04 Aug 2021 16:00:52 +0000

More than two-thirds (69 per cent) of registered defined benefit pensions plans in Ontario have solvency ratios above 100 per cent, according to the Financial Services Regulatory Authority of Ontario’s second quarterly update. The report found average funded ratios were up for the fifth consecutive quarter, with the median funded ratio reaching 106 per cent […]

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FSRA issuing guidance on pension plan administrator responsibilities

bwolfe — Fri, 30 Jul 2021 13:00:38 +0000

The Financial Services Regulatory Authority of Ontario is releasing final interpretation guidance to support the role and responsibilities of pension plan administrators. The guidance, an updated and consolidated version of four previous documents, said the administrator’s role includes responsibility for implementing processes to ensure pension plan risks — such as investment, funding, operational and legal — […]

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More clarity needed in pension rules following marriage breakdown: ACPM

bwolfe — Wed, 12 May 2021 13:00:46 +0000

The Association of Canadian Pension Management is calling for increased clarity regarding Ontario’s rules for the valuation and division of pension payments following a marriage breakdown. In response to a consultation by the Financial Services Regulatory Authority of Ontario, the ACPM recommended the draft guidance document include an example of an exception to the rule […]

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FSRA advising DB MEPPs on governance, risk-management practices

bwolfe — Fri, 26 Mar 2021 05:00:23 +0000

The Financial Services Regulatory Authority of Ontario is issuing leading practices for the province’s defined benefit multi-employer pension plans, in the areas of governance, risk management and communication. In the area of governance, these practices include establishing a comprehensive orientation policy to onboard new trustees to ensure they begin their term prepared to carry out their duty. […]

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FSRA establishing committee to advise on pension plan regulatory processes

mschmit — Fri, 29 Jan 2021 11:00:05 +0000

The Financial Services Regulatory Authority of Ontario is establishing a technical advisory committee to provide insights on the province’s existing regulatory processes for employer-based pension plans. The committee’s 10 to 14 members will examine current regulatory processes in order to improve pension plan administration through cost-efficient and innovative practices. They’ll also discuss approaches to help ensure Ontario’s pension plan […]

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FSRA issues final guidance on missing pension plan members

mschmit — Wed, 16 Dec 2020 05:00:28 +0000

Ontario’s pension plan administrators and plan members share the responsibility of maintaining current contact information, according to the Financial Services Regulatory Authority of Ontario’s final guidance on missing plan members. It recommended administrators maintain a records management system and retention schedules that support long-term administration of the pension plan and to exercise care and diligence […]

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OSFI, FSRA name members of new DC plan committee

mschmit — Fri, 20 Nov 2020 12:00:54 +0000

The Office of the Superintendent of Financial Institutions and the Financial Services Regulatory Association of Ontario have selected members for their new joint advisory committee on defined contribution pension plans. The committee will review the regulators’ approaches to supervising DC plans and, where possible, enhance regulatory efficiency and effectiveness by finding opportunities for harmonization. Read: […]

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