Morneau Shepell releases groundbreaking study on Return on Investment of Employee and Family Assistance Programs and National Summit on Pension Reform brings leaders together in Toronto Français
These are among the subjects included in the current issue of the Morneau Shepell News & Views, a monthly publication dedicated to providing insights to its clients in Canada
TORONTO, Nov. 20, 2014 /CNW/ - In the November issue of its monthly newsletter, News & Views, Morneau Shepell summarizes its new research group study on the ROI on EFAPs and reviews the National Summit on Pension Reform and its findings.
- Employers see significant ROI when helping their employees deal with personal and emotional issues – Morneau Shepell reviews findings of its major study on the return on investment of employee and family assistance programs (EFAPs) for businesses in Canada. This is the largest Canadian study of its kind and is based on data collected from 80,000 of its EFAP cases in Canada in 2013. The study shows a return of $8.70 for every $1 invested in an EFAP through a combination of improved productivity at work and less time away from work.
- National Summit on pension reform assesses solutions – Morneau Shepell partnered with the Public Policy Forum to host the second National Summit on Pension Reform in Toronto. The Summit brought together senior leaders and experts from across the country to explore options for enhancing retirement income security in Canada, with a focus on two key areas: pension coverage and sustainability.
- Ontario government issues draft pension regulations– In early October, the Ontario Ministry of Finance released draft regulations respecting annual statements to former and retired members, as well as a number of changes respecting statements of investment policies and procedures (SIP&Ps). Morneau Shepell updates the previous proposals released in April.
- Draft guidance on annuity buy‑ins in Ontario – The Financial Services Commission of Ontario ("FSCO") issued, in draft form, a guidance note on its expectations with respect to the investment of defined benefit pension plan assets in buy-in annuities. Morneau Shepell reviews the Buy-In Annuities Guidance Note and the issues that it covers.
- Draft guidance on prudent investment practices for derivatives in Ontario – In late October, the FSCO issued, in draft form, a guidance note on prudent investment practices for derivatives for public comments. The derivatives guidance Note is intended to assist plan administrators who are considering the investment of plan assets in derivatives.
- Nova Scotia takes action to help those with low pensions – the Nova Scotia government introduced Bill 38, the Pooled Retirement Pension Plans Act to help address insufficient pension coverage for Nova Scotians. If passed, this will allow employees, including self-employed employees, who currently do not have access to an employer-sponsored pension to have pension benefits through a PRPP.
- New mortality tables for US pension plans – The Society of Actuaries (SOA) has released final reports regarding 2014 mortality tables. A number of questions addressed by the SOA have potential bearing on future Canadian pensioner mortality tables.
- Market Indices – Monthly summary of returns from various market indices such as the FTSE TMX Bond Indices and Canadian, U.S. and Foreign Equity Indices. Also includes returns from benchmark portfolios used by pension funds.
- Tracking the funded status of defined benefit pension plans – Impact of past returns on plan assets and the effect of interest rate changes on solvency liabilities.
- Impact on pension expense under international accounting – Expense impact for a typical defined benefit pension plan.
About Morneau Shepell Inc.
Morneau Shepell is the largest company in Canada offering human resources consulting and outsourcing services. The Company is the leading provider of employee and family assistance programs, as well as the largest administrator of retirement and benefits plans and the largest provider of integrated absence management solutions in Canada. Through health and productivity, administrative, and retirement solutions, Morneau Shepell helps clients reduce costs, increase employee productivity and improve their competitive position. Established in 1966, Morneau Shepell serves more than 20,000 clients, ranging from small businesses to some of the largest corporations and associations in North America. With approximately 3,600 employees in offices across North America, Morneau Shepell provides services to organizations across Canada, in the United States, and around the globe. Morneau Shepell is a publicly-traded company on the Toronto Stock Exchange (TSX: MSI). For more information, visit morneaushepell.com.
SOURCE: Morneau Shepell Inc.

Cathren Ronberg, Morneau Shepell, 416-355-5632, [email protected]
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