April Scott-Clarke

Phased retirement: A choice or necessity?

Retirement has been redefined in the past few years for your aging clients; most commonly, people are continuing to work into their retirement years. But, is doing so a necessity or choice?

By April Scott-Clarke | June 10, 2013

3 min read

Industry

BlackRock buys out Bank of America stake

Global asset manager BlackRock Inc. has agreed to repurchase Bank of America Corporation’s remaining ownership interest in BlackRock, in a deal worth about $2.5 billion or $187.65 per share. The shares will be retired following the close of the transaction, which will be immediately accretive to earnings per share. In connection with the transaction, Bank […]

By April Scott-Clarke | May 19, 2011

1 min read

Planning and Advice

The impact of culture on communication

Do cultural biases have an impact on the decisions your clients make about their retirement savings? “Of course,” says Chad Lewis, founder of Boston-based Intercultural Focus. Culture is something advisors need to keep in mind not only in hen developing a financial plan, but in explaining it to the client as well. Lewis was the […]

By April Scott-Clarke | April 27, 2011

3 min read

Industry

Sun Life lauded in Davos

Sun Life Financial was among the 100 organizations named to the 2011 Global 100 Most Sustainable Corporations in the World list, which were announced on Saturday, Jan. 29 at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland. The list includes companies from 22 countries encompassing all sectors of the economy. Sun Life Financial is the only […]

By April Scott-Clarke | February 1, 2011

1 min read

Industry

Desjardins mails out takeover bid circulars

Desjardins Financial Corporation has mailed its formal offer and take-over bid circular to registered shareholders of Western Financial Group, which offers insurance and financial services in British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba. In late December, Desjardins entered into a support agreement with Western Financial Group to acquire all of the issued and outstanding common shares […]

By April Scott-Clarke | January 21, 2011

1 min read

Industry

Gen X, boomers on same retirement page

Generation X and their baby-boomer parents are on the same wavelength when it comes to retirement and saving for it, according to new research by Investors Group. Results of a new poll probing the retirement mindset of Gen Xers found that 58% have a clear vision of their life during retirement and how they will […]

By April Scott-Clarke | January 4, 2011

2 min read

Industry

Retirement income gap to widen: CD Howe

One in six retirees are currently without the financial resources to replace three-quarters of their pre-retirement consumption, the amount often used as the basis of retirement planning. That number is expected to increase to at least two in five over the next 40 years, according to a study released today by the C.D. Howe Institute. […]

By April Scott-Clarke | December 17, 2010

2 min read

Industry

Flaherty releases draft retirement funding proposal

Only days before federal and provincial finance ministers converge in Kananaskis, Alta., Finance Minister Jim Flaherty has released a draft framework for pooled registered pension plans (PRPPs).

By April Scott-Clarke | December 16, 2010

3 min read

Industry

Caisse reports significant losses

The Caisse de dèpôt et placement du Quèbec announced a 25% decrease in returns for 2008. The net investment results were down $39.8 billion, 56% of which is unrealized decreases in value. These losses have cancelled out a large portion of the $63.2 billion in returns that the Caisse were earned in the last five […]

By April Scott-Clarke | February 25, 2009

2 min read

Economic Indicators

Mercer predicts opportunities in 2009

While some have described 2008 as a roller coaster ride, pension consultant group Mercer compares it to a big jump off a steep cliff. In light of that, it’s not surprising that Mercer’s 2009 Fearless Forecast predicts a “soft year for the economy.” However, while expectations for 2009 are low, they are not dismal and, […]

By April Scott-Clarke | January 15, 2009

3 min read

Planning and Advice

Pension perspective: Too much choice?

(June 2008) It might be time to pay closer attention to the capital accumulation plans your clients are participating in at work — the more options they have, the less likely it is they’re making informed choices, or any choices at all. In recent years, you’ve no doubt seen more defined contribution, group retirement savings […]

By April Scott-Clarke | June 2, 2008

2 min read