Janet Rabovsky is an experienced investment professional.
These are the views of the author and not necessarily those of Benefits Canada.
Janet Rabovsky is an experienced investment professional.
These are the views of the author and not necessarily those of Benefits Canada.
The New Year is often greeted with enthusiasm and optimism. Not so 2016, which appears to be more of the same – volatile equity markets, a declining Canadian dollar, declining oil prices and lower interest rates. As a consumer, some of these might bring some cheer, but as a saver and investor, equity volatility and […]
There has been much discussion about the move away from reliance on the equity risk premium towards other drivers of risk and return. For many plan sponsors, that has manifested in large allocations to alternative asset classes such as private equity, real estate, infrastructure, agriculture, timber, and hedge funds. The belief is that these asset […]
The forecast for global growth has yet again been downgraded, this time by the International Monetary Fund (IMF) to 3.3%, the slowest pace of growth since the global economy shrank during the recession in 2009. This downgrade by the IMF includes the Canadian economy, which, due in part to lower oil prices, is now expected to grow at 1.5% in 2015 (down from 2.3% at the beginning of the year). Even forecast U.S. growth has been cut to 2.5% from 3.1%.
Companies that sponsor pension plans often empower a pension or investment committee to provide oversight and management of the investment arrangements.
In Ontario, the regulator recently made it a requirement effective Jan. 1, 2016 for pension funds to disclose whether environmental, social and governance (ESG) factors have been incorporated in the pension fund’s Statement of Investment Policies and Procedures (SIPP). Similar provisions are already in place in the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Sweden and Belgium, and it’s expected more Canadian provinces will consider making ESG consideration mandatory as well. Given how recent the requirement is, most pension funds are just starting to discuss their beliefs around ESG factors and the degree to which they will be incorporated in the SIPP and investment decision making.
For years, we have all been saying that interest rates must increase, that they can’t remain at historically low levels, and that the bull market in bonds must end after 30-plus years. After all, how long will investors be content to “earn” negative real yields?
Recently, the news has been dominated by stories of National Football League (NFL) players being arrested for assault, domestic violence and a series of other charges. The NFL is a private organization, functioning as a co-operative for the owners of the various teams. Its response to these issues with its “product” has been mixed and, by some people’s estimation, has not really addressed a systemic problem. But what if the NFL was a publicly traded company (the league as a corporation and the teams as divisions or wholly owned subsidiaries)? How would you expect your investment manager to evaluate the business model, corporate policies and governance practices? Would you want your manager invested in NFL securities?
Since the early 2000s, private infrastructure investing has gathered interest from institutional investors. This trend continues to accelerate as governments can no longer afford to build the roads, schools, hospitals, waste and water treatment plants, power distribution grids, etc. that are required for a successfully functioning economy. It is estimated that more than $50 trillion will be spent in new infrastructure development across Canada by 2030.
It’s hard to pick up a newspaper without someone referencing the fact that many stock markets are at their all-time highs. The S&P 500 Index surpassed its previous record level of approximately 1,500 in 2013 and is near the 2,000 mark, while the Canadian stock market, the S&P TSX Composite Index, is trading well above 15,000. Sounds good, right?
As traditional asset classes suffered in 2007 and 2008, agricultural commodity prices increased on the back of strong fundamentals. Indications suggest potential for further, long-term growth, despite strong returns from the asset class over the past few years.
With October inflation hitting an 18-year high, inflation risk is back on the radar of plan sponsors providing inflation-linked defined benefit pensions. In the past,…
The recent announcement that General Motors of Canada Co. purchased $1.8 billion of annuities for its salaried pension plan is creating a lot of excitement.…
Much has been written about how 2020 was unprecedented, challenging and exhausting — take your pick of adjectives. It was also a white-knuckle ride for…
Defined benefit pension plan sponsors who are interested in better pension risk management for their retirees have two main strategies to consider: They can either…
In a recent case, the Ontario Superior Court found an employee failed to mitigate damages when he refused a return-to-work offer from his employer, with whom he…
Many of the changes that were introduced to Ontario’s Employment Standards Act in January 2018 were short-lived, as the province’s new government elected in June…
With the legalization of recreational cannabis on Oct. 17, 2018, employers have been preparing to answer questions about whether their current benefits plans should provide…
In a recent decision, the Ontario Superior Court of Justice found an employer didn’t constructively dismiss a long-service employee when it provided her with 18 months…
On Oct. 17, 2018, it will be legal to purchase and consume recreational cannabis in Canada. In a recent survey of Mercer’s employer clients and Canadian employees, we found…
Some organizations are unique. Their employees are genuinely excited to be at work and an undercurrent of energy and vitality permeates the air. They’ve transformed the…
While many Canadian organizations continue to search for solutions to rising health-care costs, most are falling short. That’s why they must investigate any opportunity to find…
Macroeconomic trends such as longer lives, a lack of access to pensions and retirement supports, a low-growth environment, and persistent lack of financial literacy and…
For months, Canadian employers have been creaking under the strain of a labour crunch. Finding top talent has always been one of leaders’ most pressing…
COVID-19 cases are dropping and vaccine counts are rising. The economy is reopening and we can expect to be back at the office soon. But…
Employee benefits and total rewards planning have always been a critical element of business planning, but never more so than during the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.…
Over the past few months, we’ve all had to deal with the challenges of social distancing and self-isolation. Some people have faced the extra pressure…
In Canada, the coronavirus pandemic is entering a new phase — vaccines are widely available, travel restrictions are gradually lifting and people are returning to…
For most Canadians, it’s been well over a year since most of the country went into its first lockdown due to the coronavirus pandemic. I…
While talk about the importance of improving diversity on corporate boards and in the C-suite has been ongoing for decades, actual action has been too…
The Council of Parties to the United Nations’ climate convention, known as COP26, which is currently underway in Glasgow has put climate change on the…
As Canadians watch the U.S. reopen with life returning to normal in various stages, in addition to thoughts of attending sporting events, concerts and gathering…
As coronavirus cases rise across the country and some return-to-work plans become return-to-home plans, many employers are wondering how to help their employees adapt once again…
The coronavirus pandemic has been disruptive for all and sadly, devastating and difficult for many. In the pandemic’s early days, we saw a great deal…
After being off of Canadians’ radar screens for years, the re-emergence of inflation in recent months is receiving significant attention for many, including pension plan…
Over the past several months, much attention has been paid to the coronavirus pandemic’s impact on financial markets and, subsequently, defined benefit pension plans’ financial conditions…
In January 2020, the Canadian Institute of Actuaries released final changes to the actuarial standards of practice for calculating commuted values, with the changes scheduled…
A retiree whose retirement savings are primarily in a registered savings plan, such as a life income fund or registered retirement income fund, already faces…
The images of floods, forest fires and heat waves over the past few years is putting climate change front of mind for many, including pension…
Pension governance policies have been common for many years, at least since the Canadian Association of Pension Supervisory Authorities published its initial guidelines on pension…
Employers that act as pension plan administrators have statutory fiduciary duties that are defined by the plan documents and by governing pension legislation. While those duties…
An important case around an employer’s ability to change its practice in granting consent benefits under a pension plan is winding its way through the courts. The…
Any return to the workplace, whether it’s after a medical or parental leave — or say, following a global pandemic — requires consideration and care…
With the repatriation of Canadians Michael Kovrig and Michael Spavor following their three-year incarceration in China, relations between Ottawa and Beijing are to be reset.…
It’s a welcome development that so many pension fund managers are increasingly preoccupied with the ethical implications of their investments and incorporating data to ensure…
Various forms of digital health care have been available in Canada for several years, but I’d argue nothing has accelerated the awareness, need and adoption…
Anyone who’s ever run a marathon or completed an endurance race or trek knows the last few miles are the hardest, both physically and mentally.…
Any do-it-yourself handyman’s toolbox isn’t complete without a roll a flexible multi-purpose cloth adhesive that has unlimited uses — a.k.a. duct tape. It’s been used…
Even before the coronavirus pandemic, technology was blurring the lines between work and home life. An unhealthy attachment to our mobile phones made it easy…
Whether institutional investors welcome it — or even realize it — cryptocurrency is having an impact on their portfolios. The immense size of the crypto…
In case you missed it, a recent legal opinion by pension lawyer Randy Bauslaugh suggested plan sponsors might be personally liable for failing to consider…
A lawsuit settlement on the other side of the world is reverberating around the globe as it increases the environmental, social and governance standards for…
Meeting a deadline in the midst of a pandemic seems like a good test of corporate resiliency and, according to a recent survey of Canadian…
There is nothing like a deadline to focus the mind. Asset owners and managers who are signatories of the United Nations-supported Principles for Responsible Investments…
Many employees may be dreaming of a carefree retirement following many years in the trenches — but they’ll likely have to keep dreaming if they…
For years, a major public sector pension governance time bomb has been hidden in plain sight. But it may be too late to alert the bomb squad;…
A report published by the Canadian Public Pension Leadership Council in February 2019 offers compelling evidence about the broad benefits of workplace pension plans. The report,…
While retirement income security is top of mind for many Canadians, British Columbia’s public sector pension plans are noteworthy models that can be emulated by sponsors…
Diversity, equity and inclusion is top of mind for many plan sponsors these days. And, while issues around retirement and pensions likely aren’t the key focus…
More Canadian employers should consider target-benefit pension plans for their employees these days. The model is gaining steam. In mid-December, 2020, the Quebec legislator signed into…
The future will increasingly favour institutional investors that can break old patterns of thought. As we move forward and industries and new technologies converge at…
Almost 16 months since the global coronavirus pandemic was first declared, there’s now yet another thing for institutional investors to worry about — the possibility…
Back in December 2018, I wrote an article asking whether it was a good time for pension plan sponsors to revisit value investing. At that time, public…
Last August, I wrote about whether central banks were creating a financial bubble with their coordinated easing programs intended to spur economic growth and/or lift inflation.…
The investment industry has been talking a lot about our position in the economic cycle and our proximity to a recession. In fact, I wrote about it…
Words and imagery have the power to connect, evoke emotion and elicit a reaction. They also have the power to be inclusive, or exclusive, and…
It’s often said perception is reality and that’s definitely true when it comes to benefits plans. If employees can’t easily perceive the value in their…
How long is your attention span? Be honest and think back to the last time you received an email about your employee benefits and didn’t…
As many employees struggle with mental-health issues during these tumultuous times, internet-based cognitive behavioural therapy is one tool that may help them bounce back. Employers…
On average, one in three Canadians will be disabled for 90 days or more at least once before they reach age 65, according to the…
Plan sponsors are faced with competing offers by insurance carriers, group managing general agents and third-party administrators, as each group promotes their own unique, yet…
While the move to more defined contribution-style health benefits plans provides greater clarity and flexibility to plan sponsors, it would be natural to wonder whether or…