Employee Benefits in Canada

A comprehensive overview of public and private employee benefit plans in Canada. These resources serve as useful references for both novice and seasoned professionals, covering the legal and administrative aspects of pension, health, and other benefit programs.

Articles

Interaction Between Private and Public Plans

Many employee benefits are provided through a combination of government-sponsored programs and private plans. This article explores the different types of benefits and the interaction between government programs and private plans.

Understanding Accounting, Actuarial and Investment Reports

The culmination of the financial and accounting activities for a benefit plan year is preparing and presenting audited financial statements to the board of trustees. Use of these statements requires an understanding of what makes up the figures reported in them and how these numbers were derived.

Setting Up a Defined Contribution Pension Plan

This article looks at the shift from DB to DC retirement plans, the evolving legislation supporting DC retirement plans and considerations for plan sponsors offering these plans to their employees.

The Design and Administration of Employer-Sponsored Pension and Retirement Plans

This article identifies points to consider when designing and administering a plan in the current legislative framework and explores the general principles underlying the design of a pension plan.

Trustee Fiduciary Liability Insurance

Even with the best intentions, trustees can face significant liability if accused of a wrongful act or breach of fiduciary duty. Fiduciary liability insurance safeguards both the plan's assets and the personal assets of trustees in cases of mismanagement, negligence or errors.

Responsible Investment: The Legal Perspective

Why is responsible investing important? It's an approach that considers environmental, social, and governance factors, focusing on the long-term health and stability of the market. It recognizes that sustainable returns rely on stable and well-governed systems.

Fiduciary Responsibility

A fiduciary relationship exists when, considering all the circumstances, one person could reasonably expect the other to act in their best interests. As such, the fiduciary has a duty to act loyally and prioritize the best interests of the person who trusts in them.

Trustees and Their Professional Advisors

Given the complexity of modern-day trust funds, and pension funds, the large number of beneficiaries involved, and the legal framework under which trustees and trust funds must operate, professional advice becomes critical.

Legal Aspects of Trustee Expenses and Attendance at Educational Programs

Like any other class of trustees, plan trustees are subject to close scrutiny by trust beneficiaries, the general public, regulators and the courts when it comes to spending and accounting for trust fund money.