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Trustee Succession: Preparing for the Next Generation

Using Budgets to Improve Wellness in the Postpandemic Construction Industry

September/October Articles Include:

Trustee Succession: Preparing for the Next Generation

The What and Why of Virtual Health Care

Using Budgets to Improve Wellness in the Postpandemic Construction Industry

Benefit Trends: Mental Health and Substance Use Disorder Benefits

Quick Look

In the Know: Virus Prevention in the Workplace

Canadian Legal & Legislative Report

Plans & Trusts is a bimonthly Canadian magazine providing an in-depth look at benefits issues and reviewing federal and provincial legal decisions and legislative developments.

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Past Issues

July/August 2021

Articles include:

Evaluating Benefits Strategies in the Wake of COVID-19

by Cherri Bevilacqua, CEBS, CPHR
The pandemic has led employers to reevaluate their benefits priorities, with many adding, expanding or rebalancing offerings to reflect changes in remote work, employee well-being and virtual health care. In looking toward the future, many employers are also focusing on flexibility; agility; resilience; and diversity, equity and inclusion.
Evolving Law: Can Benefit Plans Contain Certain Age-Based Distinctions?

by Allen Furlong and Megan Kaneen
Legal challenges have benefit plans questioning certain age-based distinctions, including a maximum age for receiving extended health care (EHC) or disability benefits. The outcome may depend on plan-specific factors such as plan jurisdiction, the applicable human rights legislation, the nature of the benefit in issue, plan experience and the demographics of plan membership, among others.
Making the Case for Empathetic Leadership

by Alyssa Hodder
Organizations that demonstrate empathetic leadership—by openly and honestly communicating with their workforce, showing an understanding of their experiences and providing resources for support—can help to build a culture that’s better for employees and the bottom line.
Legal & Legislative Report
Printable Issue [PDF]

May/June 2021

Articles include:

The Dynamics of Fraud on Health Benefit Plans

by Suzanne Solven
Far from being a victimless crime, benefits fraud costs the industry more than half a billion dollars each year and can result in the reduction or elimination of health care benefits for those who need it most. Employers, plan sponsors and insurers can help tackle benefits fraud through education and adaptability; new technologies for analyzing and detecting fraud; and the key pillars of prevention, detection, investigation and resolution.
The Increasing Uncertainty of Longevity— And What Plan Sponsors Can Do About It

by Richard Brown
COVID-19 has tragically elevated mortality for Canadians and increased the uncertainty of future longevity prospects, but it also has created the potential for future longevity gains. The author explores ways for plan sponsors and trustees to better understand longevity risk and discuss with their actuaries appropriate estimates of future longevity for their plan members.
Supporting Plan Member Health Through Artificial Intelligence and Innovation

by Marie-Chantal Côté
Through the use of pharmacogenomics and artificial intelligence—including new solutions like digital coaching and virtual health care services— benefits providers can help members improve their mental and physical health outcomes.
Legal & Legislative Report
Printable Issue [PDF]

March/April 2021

Articles include:

Human vs. Machine: How Technology Is Revolutionizing the Investment Industry

by Jennifer Drake and Peter Muldowney
People have often viewed a divide between fundamental investing (managers performing deep analyses of individual firms to identify which stocks to buy and sell) and systematic investing (using computer-driven research models to predict risks and returns). The authors examine how human judgment and machine learning are part of both approaches and how the combined efforts of humans and machines will be critical to the future success of investment management.
The Ransomware Deluge: How to Navigate the Perfect Storm

by Catherine Bertheau
As the threat of ransomware reaches new heights, plan and trust administrators need to be aware of risk mitigation strategies to help protect their organizations, plans and participants.
Looking Forward and Backward—Stress Testing Your Portfolio Can Improve Decision Making

by Kendra Kaake
Even prior to the pandemic, investors were concerned about uncertainties in trade and geopolitics as well as low returns and market volatility. As plan sponsors face a new normal, they can better manage risk by improving regular reporting and governance. This article also explores asset allocation considerations including client-specific goals, strategic business objectives, contractual obligations, risk tolerance, plan type, maturity, funding levels and return requirements.
Legal & Legislative Report
Printable Issue [PDF]

January/February 2021

Articles include:

Designing Inclusive Benefit Plans for LGBTQ+ Members

by Allison Tremblay
The needs of LGBTQ+ employees are often underserved in the design and administration of benefit plans. Employers and plan sponsors that proactively make their plans more inclusive—from enrolment forms to health supports, treatments and medications—may be able to minimize plan costs and maximize the health and abilities of LGBTQ+ members.
Strategic Planning and Plan Sustainability: Part Two

by Tom Iannucci and Laurie Hutchinson
The five phases of strategic planning include setting the strategic direction; performing a strategic gap analysis; and documenting, executing and monitoring the strategic plan. This article, the second in a two-part series, helps pension and benefit boards examine the final four phases as well as the role of key performance indicators in measuring progress toward a plan’s strategic objectives.
Amplifying Benefit Communications With Data Analytics

by Jillian R. Otten
Data from website traffic and social media interactions offers valuable information that benefits organizations can use to increase the effectiveness of their communication efforts.
Legal & Legislative Report
Printable Issue [PDF]

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