April 2012 | | Sustainable Lessons
In 2011, the Ontario government announced measures offering temporary solvency relief for eligible public sector pension plans that are less that 90% funded. A number of Ontario universities have already signed on for relief, and other plans - both public and private - can learn from their experience in the fight for sustainability.
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April 2012 | | The secret to easing benefits change
For most HR leaders, the formula for making changes to your benefits plan is pretty simple: change = big headache. And it’s not just because of the extra paperwork.
Tinkering with benefits can take a toll on employee relations. The most minor change can be regarded with suspicion or become a sore point—even when it’s part of larger adjustments that result in a net improvement for plan members. But it doesn’t have to be that way.
By Susan Deller
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March 2012 | | Take a scalpel to your communication program
Surgeons are recognized for their
precision more so than for their
communication skills—and for that
reason, there’s a lot we can learn from
them about communicating with our
employees.
By Susan Deller
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January 2012 | | Where’s the love in your workplace?
For most of us, “the love economy” suggests the unpaid labour associated with volunteering, caring for the young, old and sick, and managing the household. In short, it’s all those things that we’re motivated to do for the “greater good.” It may provide balance in life and personal growth, but, for the most part, it’s the antithesis of what we do in the workplace—or is it?
By Susan Deller
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December 2011 | | Taking action on financial literacy
The weak state of financial literacy in Canada is well documented. Climbing personal debt and declining savings levels show that Canadians spend more than they earn, and most live paycheque to paycheque. The research tells us that a majority of workers, at all income levels, lack the basic financial knowledge and confidence needed to deal with complex financial issues and make sound financial decisions.
By Gerry Chiasson
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November 2011 | | In Transit
Confused about which road to take? Our Retirement Transition Guide offers route options for plan sponsors and members.
Includes article “The changing direction of annuities” by Janice Holman
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November 2011 | | Learning to speak gen Y
Employers looking to attract and retain the best gen Y talent can start by learning to speak their language—and this doesn’t have to mean signing off emails with “g2g-ttyl.”
By Susan Deller
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November 2011 | | Upwardly Mobile
In July, Apple announced that more than 15 billion apps had been downloaded from its App Store. Why the frenzy over apps? While websites exist for virtually any subject, apps offer some significant advantages.
By Sean Keys
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October 2011 | | What your employees don't know about government programs
When it comes to government benefits, chances are many of your employees don’t know what’s available or what they’re entitled to. Is it your job to enlighten them? Maybe not. But if you accept the fact that government benefits can have a significant impact on the economic well-being of retired employees, and if you care about helping your employees make informed financial decisions, then it makes sense to give government benefits prominent billing in your communications program.
By Susan Deller
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September 2011 | | The truth about employee feedback
As most communications professionals will tell you, developing an employee communications strategy without first getting employee input is a risky business.
By Susan Deller
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July 2011 | | TDFs vs. target benefit pension plans: communicate the difference
Target benefit pension plans and target date funds (TDFs) may be similar in name, but they are worlds apart when it comes to the benefits they provide—and the communications strategies required to help them succeed.
By Susan Deller
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June 2011 | | Managing Risk in a Small Pension Plan
Whether it’s checking their dental coverage or choosing their DC investment options, for most employees, dealing with benefits issues ranks right up there with doing their taxes. That said, there are some simple rules you can follow to make it as painless as possible.
By Susan Deller
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June 2011 | | 4 rules for connecting with plan members
DB pension plans carry many types of risk including investment risk, asset-liability mismatch, longevity risk, demographic risk and inflation risk, and this puts smaller plans at a disadvantage. Because of their smaller asset base, it’s difficult to diversify the investment risk among many different asset classes like larger plans can do.
By Jasenka Brcic
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April 2011 | | Talk straight about investment management fees
If you’re already losing sleep over potential legal challenges from the members of your DC pension plan, here’s another item to add to the sobering list of reasons to be concerned — fee disclosure.
By Susan Deller
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March 2011 | | Plain language is hard to find
Canadian plan sponsors, administrators and providers give clear communication and plain language around benefits, pensions and other HR programs lip service, but few make any serious effort to put the principles of plain language into practice. Even fewer have formal quality assurance processes to monitor their application.
By Susan Deller
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January 2011 | | A new approach to financial literacy
Few Canadians will voluntarily educate themselves about financial matters—especially when it comes to retirement planning. Just ask the many plan sponsors and providers that have spent big money on member education materials and financial planning tools that sit largely ignored and unused. Thanks to the Capital Accumulation Plans Guidelines (CAP Guidelines), there’s not a well-governed CAP in the country that doesn’t offer its members financial planning help in the form of worksheets and/or calculators. But, as parents and teachers know all too well, it’s never quite as simple as handing out instructions and leaving the room.
By Susan Deller
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