Plan member engagement – Benefits Canada.com

Sun Life piloting virtual mental-health coach

mschmit — Fri, 18 Dec 2020 11:00:44 +0000

Sun Life Canada is launching a new virtual mental-health coach for plan members that taps into the power of predictive analytics. The virtual coach will launch in the first quarter of 2021, starting with a small number of clients, and after six months, the insurer will slowly bring more organizations on board. The insurer’s goal with the pilot program is […]

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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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PIAC comments on FSRA’s plan for missing plan members

mschmit — Wed, 23 Sep 2020 05:30:00 +0000

The Pension Investment Association of Canada is expressing its support for the Financial Services Regulatory Authority of Ontario’s draft guidelines for pension plan sponsors dealing with missing members. In a letter, the PIAC said the draft guidelines would be helpful on a go-forward basis, but also noted plan administrators need more options regarding current missing […]

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Plan Sponsor Week: How DC pension investments handled the pandemic crash

mschmit — Fri, 04 Sep 2020 04:40:52 +0000

Defined contribution plan members are contending with volatile equity markets, ultra-low interest rates and the threat of inflation as the country’s economy begins its tentative recovery. In the first half of 2020, equities took an almost round trip, dropping significantly in the first quarter and recovering to the point that most markets are in neutral or positive […]

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Blessing in disguise? DC pension plan sponsors not changing much in response to coronavirus

mschmit — Fri, 17 Jul 2020 04:55:15 +0000

While it’s likely a small mercy that defined contribution plan members, by and large, didn’t have knee-jerk reactions to recent market turbulence, plan sponsors have been rather quiet as well. Much of this is related to the reality that the people who typically deal with small to mid-size DC plans at their organization are busy with other […]

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Webinar: Expanding access to high-quality health care with telemedicine

mschmit — Fri, 03 Jul 2020 04:50:36 +0000

Health and productivity is affected by a lack of access to care, according to Dr. Hanif Jamal, Canadian medical director at Teledoc Health, during a webinar hosted by Benefits Canada. Referring to a recent survey by the Canadian Medical Association, he noted 73 per cent of Canadians said they believe virtual care will improve access, followed by more […]

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Webinar: Coronavirus and chronic disease: What are the effects on the workforce?

mschmit — Thu, 18 Jun 2020 05:00:19 +0000

On May 21, Benefits Canada hosted a webinar to explore the coronavirus pandemic’s impact on chronic disease in the workplace, as well as how virtual solutions can support employee health through this unprecedented time. All employers are currently facing the same concerns, said Marie-Josée Le Blanc, a partner at Mercer, during the webinar. Pointing to the 2019 […]

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How can plan sponsors help pension members during volatile times?

mschmit — Tue, 10 Mar 2020 04:30:49 +0000

Once again, we’re experiencing volatile markets. During these times, it’s common to hear the following statements: It isn’t time to panic. This has happened before. Make sure the pension plan’s asset mix is correct. While these messages may be good advice for individual investors, defined contribution plan sponsors should be considering how to help their employees. Here are […]

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How can plan sponsors work out the kinks in paramedical coverage?

mschmit — Fri, 14 Feb 2020 04:57:21 +0000

Historically, Epcor Utilities Inc. provided employees with $1,000 in annual coverage for each paramedical service, ranging from massage therapists, physiotherapists and chiropractors to speech therapists, naturopaths and dieticians. But in 2018, the Edmonton-based utilities company looked at its annual paramedical costs and found its massage therapy spend had ballooned to nearly match the cost of […]

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Should employers use social media to communicate pension, benefits?

mschmit — Fri, 22 Nov 2019 04:53:31 +0000

As social media becomes increasingly pervasive, employers should consider adding the tool to their communications arsenal. Indeed, David McArthur, principal and creative director at Morello Communications Inc., says it’s too big a phenomenon for plan sponsors to ignore. “It’s something we’re certainly seeing a lot more of,” notes Cameron McNeill, senior vice-president and Canadian business […]

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