Canadian Pension Funds - Articles & White Papers

The Global Pension Assets Study estimates global pension fund assets across 22 major pension markets. The study includes an analysis of the seven largest markets (the P7): Australia, Canada, Japan, Netherlands, Switzerland, UK and the U.S., which comprise 91% of total pension assets.

Over the past two decades, asset-backed pensions have become a key pillar of retirement systems, with assets more than tripling to over USD 56 trillion in 2023.

Historically, pension funds have been seen as a contributor to financial stability because of their long-term and well-diversified liabilities. However, the sector has undergone significant structural shifts accelerated by a prolonged period of low interest rates, increasing its exposure to traditional risks.

Pension index performance varied across regions this quarter, shaped by differing asset returns and discount rate movements.

Allianz published the third edition of its “Global Pension Report”, which analyzes 71 pension systems around the globe with the help of the company's own “Allianz Pension Index” (API). The indicator consists of three pillars: analysis of the demographic and fiscal situation, and an assessment of the sustainability (e.g…

The Asset Owner 100 is a Thinking Ahead Institute study which gathers data on the total assets of the top 100 asset owners around the world. Though not included in the ranking, the study also presents the total assets for the top 10 insurers and the top 10 foundations and endowments.

Looking at eight large Canadian pension plans (known as the “Maple 8”), we show that when using the private2000® index, recent private equities performance at these eight pension plans is very much in line with or exceeding the market. Importantly, the relative performance cadence over the prior 5 years looks very different…

This report has an important, and deeply concerning, finding: five of Canada’s largest public pension funds have directors with formal, ongoing ties to the fossil fuel industry.

This report provides a snapshot of asset-backed pension arrangements in OECD countries and in a selection of non-OECD jurisdictions in 2024. The indicators are based on preliminary data for 2024.

This study highlights the importance of future research that incorporates advanced machine learning techniques, develops ESG-aligned and sustainability-oriented optimization frameworks, and more effectively models regulatory and demographic constraints.

The 4% withdrawal rule was formulated by William Bengen to satisfy a specific historical test. This paper probes the flaws in Bengen's US historical data which led to the mistaken nomination of 4% as a safe withdrawal rate.

Asset returns are uncertain and very volatile. The S&P 500 is a good example. Since 1990 this index has enjoyed 13 years of 20% + growth. Unfortunately, it was accompanied with several negative return years which brought the average 20 year return down to 9.75%

Shift’s third annual Canadian Pension Climate Report Card analyses the climate policies of Canadian pension funds based on public information disclosed to December 31, 2024.

The National Institute on Ageing (NIA) published the findings of its 2024 Ageing in Canada Survey, the country’s largest ongoing research initiative focused on the perspectives and experiences of Canadians aged 50 and older. Now in its third year, the survey, in partnership with the Environics Institute for Survey Research,…

Shift’s new report, Gaslighting the Energy Transition, reveals Canadian pension funds face major financial risks from their multi-billion-dollar investments in gas companies around the world. These gas investments could lose billions as zero-carbon alternatives get cheaper and the world shifts away from fossil fuels.

Pension Markets in Focus provides detailed and comparable statistics on asset-backed pensions around the world. This publication aims to help policy makers, regulators and other stakeholders evaluate the design and operation of pension systems, and to support policy discussions through international comparisons. Pension…

The top 20 global pension funds with the largest dollar allocation to private equity have devoted a total of US$707.60 billion to the asset class so far in 2024. The big allocators prefer large, well-known firms. As of Oct. 22, Blackstone Inc. funds are the most popular, followed by TPG Capital LP, according to S&P…

This report considers how financial advisors adjust retirement recommendations based on client health and life expectancy information. The research underscores how behavioural and informational gaps can influence financial decisions, investment outcomes and product suitability.

CEM’s latest research explores the variation in pension administration costs in Canada, the United Kingdom, the United States, and the Netherlands.

From 1790 to 1890, the percentage of single-person households in the United States remained between 3% and 4% of all household sizes. In contrast, the percentage of single-person households has risen from 5.1% in 1900 to 28.2% in 2020.