This is a long list for a firm that does one thing.
We do one kind of work. The list is long because finishing that work reaches into payroll, plan design, the people retiring out of the plan, and the organization that sponsors it.
Not all of it comes from us. Some is delivered by firms we work with. Either way the plan stays our responsibility, and you deal with us.
Group retirement and savings plans.
The plans themselves, built to your design rather than a carrier template.
- Group RRSP, TFSA, DPSP, and non-registered plansSavings plans we manage directly, designed around your payroll and your people rather than an off-the-shelf template.
- Executive Group RRSPFor plan members with more than $500,000 of investable assets, either within the plan or externally. The member has the option to transition to an individually managed RRSP with Oak & Slate Investment Counsel while still receiving group RRSP contributions from the sponsor via payroll.
- DC pension plansA formal federally or provincially registered plan. We take on the management of it and stay with it through the year.
- Target benefit plansFor sponsors aiming at a level of retirement income rather than individual account balances.
- Debt repayment benefitsStudent loan and residential mortgage repayment, run by a vendor partner as a line on payroll, alongside the savings plan.
- Retirement and exit transitionWhat happens to a member's money when they retire or leave. Qualifying plan members have the option to move into discretionary management with Oak & Slate Investment Counsel, held in custody at National Bank Independent Network, rather than into a retail product the member picks alone. Members may also choose to transition to an online investing and advisory service offered by Common Wealth.
- Preferred partner programFor group plans we do not manage. We learn how yours works, then handle the retirement or termination transition for your members when the day comes.
Arrangements for owners and senior people.
Sponsors ask about these once the group plan is in order. They sit outside the group plan, and most are delivered by firms we work with.
- Executive retirement arrangementsIndividual pension plans, retirement compensation arrangements, and retirement transition plans for owners and high income earners.
- Corporate asset transferLife insurance used to move retained corporate earnings out on better tax footing.
- Buy-sell agreement fundingFunding the purchase of a departing owner's shares, so the agreement works on the day it is needed.
- Asset management and creditDiscretionary investment management through Oak & Slate. Private banking and credit through National Bank Private Banking 1859.
- Wills and estate planningPrepared through a specialist provider.
What your people get, beyond a statement.
Most members reach retirement with a balance and no plan for it. These close that gap.
- Financial wellness programPractical money guidance for members, delivered online and in plain language.
- Personal financial adviceThe carrier answers most member questions. We get called when it hasn't, or when a member wants advice rather than an answer.
- Discount mortgage ratesA rate available to members of the plans we manage, through a mortgage vendor partner.
The work that lands on your desk, not theirs.
Plan sponsorship generates administration, documentation and questions. Most of it can move off your team.
- Plan designIncluding contribution rates and structures, vesting, investment options, fee structures, administrative services, member services, and what happens when someone retires. In most cases we do not help companies start plans.
- Carrier-coordinated payroll trainingWorking with the people who run contributions, so remittances and changes are right the first time.
- Administrative supportEnrollments, terminations, and the carrier correspondence that follows them.
- Cost recovery programA pension expense account set up with your carrier to help cover training costs, member education, and the cost of regulatory filings.
- Fiduciary reportingA dated written record of what was reviewed and what was decided. We report on the plan. We do not run the recordkeeping.
We do not go after your health and dental.
Whoever looks after that keeps the work. We do not solicit it and we will not quote against them.
Some sponsors would rather deal with one firm for both plans, usually because one person is handling both. For them we are contracted with AGA Benefit Solutions: we manage the coordination, AGA handles the coverage. If you would rather leave your benefits where they are, nothing about the group retirement plan changes.
- AdministrationDay to day benefits administration for the plan you already have.
- BrokeragePlacing and renewing the coverage.
- ConsultingReviewing design and cost against what the coverage is for.
- Health spending accountA defined amount each member can direct to health costs.
- Wellness spending accountThe same idea, for wellness costs a health account will not cover.
Two plans, two specialists, one conversation.
Are you a health benefits broker?
Win the benefits business. Hand us the group retirement plan.
Group RRSP and DC pension plans take time that benefits work pays better for. They also carry a different kind of responsibility, and it does not go away between renewals. We take that plan on, we do not touch your health and dental, and your client keeps one relationship for the part you do best. Departing members are the part most brokers have no answer for. Ours move into discretionary management custodied at National Bank, or directly to other vetted providers. Call us, or ask for a Snapshot on your client's behalf.
Seven services, five firms, one relationship.
You deal with us. Where the work sits with another firm, this is which firm.
| Group plan consulting, life insurance, financial wellness and member education | Canada's Best Pension Plan Ltd. |
| Investment management and financial planning | Oak & Slate Investment Counsel at Hoovest Financial Inc. |
| Custody of investment counsel accounts | National Bank Independent Network |
| Private banking and credit | National Bank Private Banking 1859 |
| Online investing and advisory | Common Wealth |
| Group health and dental | AGA Benefit Solutions |
Free. No commitment. In most cases your plan and your carrier stay exactly where they are.
Not all services are available in all provinces. Canada's Best Pension Plan Ltd. and Oak & Slate Investment Counsel reserve the right to accept or decline both group and individual services.