March 2022

Will this new pension option provide retirement security for more Canadians?

Larissa Dundon values her independence. After quitting her corporate gig five years ago to launch her own communications firm, she can’t imagine ever returning to a nine-to-five. Not even a coveted defined-benefit pension is enough of a lure. “I have way more potential earning power, and I control where I want to go,” said the 37-year-old Vancouverite. “The payoff of having a pension isn’t worth it.” She saves for retirement in her registered retirement savings plan and tax-free savings account...

February 2022

Canadian Pensions Bankrolling Elder Abuse and Misappropriation of Public Money by French Long-term Care Multinational: CUPE

A new report by the Centre for International Corporate Tax Accountability and Research (CICTAR) reveals that Europe’s largest long-term care home operator, Orpea, has been building a property empire while facing allegations of elder abuse and misappropriation of public money. Orpea is 15 per cent owned by the Canada Pension Plan Investment Board (CPPIB), which also holds two seats on Orpea’s board of directors. CUPE is reiterating its call for Canadian pension funds to stop bankrolling suffering and abuse...

39% of Canadians are confident in their retirement plan: survey

Almost two in five (39 per cent) Canadians are confident in their retirement plan, according to a survey conducted by Pollara Strategic Insights for the Bank of Montreal Financial Group. The survey, which polled 1,500 adult Canadians, found while respondents said they need $1.6 million to retire securely, just under half (44 per cent) were confident they’ll have enough money saved to retire as planned. Indeed, 42 per cent of respondents who are widowed, divorced or separated said they don’t...

Canada’s largest pension fund CPPIB takes engagement approach to net-zero

The Canada Pension Plan Investment Board, better known as CPP Investments or CPPIB, announced net-zero greenhouse gas (GHG) emission goals by 2050 through a decarbonisation approach focused on influencing transition within high-emitting sectors as opposed to divestment. Read also US. Pension plans increasing their focus on allocating to diverse asset managers The plan also includes increasing its investments into green and transition assets from $67 billion to $130 billion by 2030 and a carbon neutrality goal by the end of the...

Low Demand for Reverse Mortgages in Canada: Price, Knowledge or Preferences?

By Admin SSRN au/at CIRANO, Ismael Choiniere Crevecoeur & Pierre-Carl Michaud High borrowing costs, limited knowledge and preferences could explain why few Canadians purchase reverse mortgages, an asset decumulation product that is appealing to those who are house-rich but cash-poor. In this paper, we first use an asset pricing model to calculate the actuarial fair costs of guarantees built into reverse mortgage products in Canada and compare those estimates to prevailing interest rates in the market for these products. We...

January 2022

Canada. ESG challenges: talent shortage and lack of consistent standards

Just as awareness and support is accelerating for environmental, social, governance (ESG) investing, with retirement systems worldwide such as the Canadian pension system attracting attention for their strategies, an issue has arisen – a shortage of financial professionals with sustainable finance skills. Pension funds and investment managers are among the financial services organizations affected by the talent shortage, says a recent report from Toronto Finance International (TFI) and Deloitte. But banks and insurance companies are affected as well. How soon will...

December 2021

Canada. CPPIB targeting high carbon emitters for long-term investments

The Canada Pension Plan Investment Board is pursuing a new strategy that involves investing in businesses with high greenhouse gas emissions and a desire to reduce them. The strategy, which is published in a new report, aims to identify companies committed to creating value by lowering their emissions in a manner that’s consistent with the CPPIB’s own timeframe. The strategy was devised by Bill Rogers, managing director and head of sustainable energies; Mike Conrad, principal in sustainable energies; and Art Pithayachariyakul,...

Canadian pension funds to increase stakes in Mexico's IDEAL

Canadian pension funds to increase stakes in Mexico’s IDEAL

The controlling shareholders of Mexican construction company IDEAL (IDEALB1.MX), part of the business empire of tycoon Carlos Slim, signed an agreement for two Canadian pension funds to increase their shareholdings in the firm, IDEAL said on Tuesday. The accord, which is still pending corporate and government approval, would see Ontario Teachers' Pension Plan Board and Canada Pension Plan Investment Board up their holdings by 8.4% and 1.1% respectively, bringing each of their total holdings to 24.8%, IDEAL said in a...

November 2021

In the race to a net-zero and inclusive future, Canadian pension funds have a critical role to play – and a new report shows how

In a fast-changing world where global investors are embarking on the largest reallocation of capital in history, pursuing sustainability and inclusivity offers social, environmental, and investment benefits. To seize this unprecedented opportunity, and maintain their tradition of excellence, Canadian pension funds must play a vital role in realizing a sustainable, inclusive future, says a landmark new release. This report emerges from a partnership between The Natural Step Canada, Smart Prosperity Institute, and Corporate Knights, and extensive collaboration with an...

October 2021

Canada. LifeWorks releases the results of its Performance Universe of Pension Managers’ Pooled Funds

LifeWorks (TSX: LWRK) has released the results of its Performance Universe of Pension Managers’ Pooled Funds for the third quarter of 2021. Read also UK. FCA creates LTAF, a new investment fund for pension schemes and specialized investors According to the report, in the third quarter of 2021, diversified pooled fund managers posted a median return of 0.7 per cent before management fees and 8.0 per cent since the beginning of the year. Read also Pandemic Offers This Silver Lining For Retirement...