Pension Investments

We provide legal advice to pension plan administrators in relation to all aspects of the investment of pension plan assets, including policy development and compliance with investment rules under pension standards and income tax legislation.

We are routinely retained by pension plan administrators to negotiate and review investment services agreements with fund managers and investment consultants, and to review annuity policies to ensure that the administrator and pension plan are adequately protected. We advise on and review pension plan statements of investment policy and procedure for compliance with applicable legislation.

Issues relating to socially responsible investing (SRI) and environmental, social and governance (ESG) factors have become an important issue globally, including for Canadian pension plan administrators. This is a rapidly evolving area of law that we are assisting our clients to monitor and navigate.

We have significant experience and expertise in assisting plan administrators with the implementation of outsourced chief investment officer (OCIO) arrangements. We recently advised a not-for-profit fund manager in the broader public sector on a unique agency relationship with (and the subsequent transition of all pension investments to) a newly-formed jointly sponsored pension plan.