Since just about half of private sector workplaces in the U.S. offer some type of retirement plan, many employees in dual income houses could be failing to account for enough savings for both themselves and their spouses, according to new research by Boston College’s Center for Retirement Research. As a result, the employee with a workplace retirement […]
The single-employer defined benefit model doesn’t work for the university sector for one clear reason, says Cynthia Messenger, president of the University of Toronto’s Faculty Association. “The model is flawed in one crucial way,” she says. “When the plan accrues debt, the university administration must repay that debt to the pension plan. And the only […]
There are major differences between what defined contribution plan sponsors are trying to communicate to members and what members hear, according to a new study by Invesco. “We believe a disconnect remains between what plan sponsors say and what participants hear,” said John Galateria, managing director and head of North America institutionals at Invesco, in a press […]
With the start of a new year, organizations have new goals and budgets to meet. Many organizations take the new year as an opportunity to take a critical look at current practices and processes, including the way these align with their business goals. One area gaining attention over the years, due to increasing costs, is […]
An animal welfare charity is facing legal action from a former employee who says he was fired after raising concerns about the organization’s pension investments and its links to companies that engage in animal testing. Jordi Casamitjana alleges the League Against Cruel Sports, a British charity that campaigns against activities like dog fighting and hunting, […]
Shifting demographics have always driven Canadian pension plan design, and the growth of the millennial generation as the largest portion of the workplace is no exception, according to Morneau Shepell Ltd.’s Joseph De Dominicis. “To me, shifting demographics are the key catalyst driving large global trends that in turn influence how we design pension programs, benefits […]
With emotions often preventing people from acting in their own interest, nudges that lever behavioural finance theory to account for them can generate better retirement outcomes. Those were among the key messages delivered by Punam Keller, an associate dean at the Tuck School of Business in Hanover, N.H., to participants at Benefits Canada’s Defined Contribution […]
It’s never easy telling employees their pension benefits are getting worse, whether that’s because of a merger, a sale or simply a cost-savings measure. But when it happens, employers should consider several tactics to minimize both employee distress and the possibility of a lawsuit. “They need to be aware of potential constructive dismissal [litigation] that could occur if […]
Gaps in coverage persist even as almost two-thirds of employees diagnosed with cancer feel their workplace benefit plan played a significant role in helping them manage their cancer, according to Benefits Canada research. At the 2016 Employers Cancer Care Summit, attendees heard the results of Benefits Canada’s research and looked at how well benefits plans […]
While employers strive to provide the right balance in their total rewards strategies, there’s sometimes a disconnect between what they offer their employees and what staff say they need and want. Employees are asking for more choice and the ability to customize their benefits from both a health and financial perspective. Adding a selection of […]