Pension studies and reports

These studies and reports show the strength and value of Canada’s public sector pension plans thanks to their responsible approach to funding and prudent investment philosophy.

Read external research on Canadian pension plans and retirement systems

The Pensions Canadians Want: Perceptions of Retirement
This study compares the results of opinion surveys conducted in 2016 and 2022. It provides insight into how Canadians’ perceptions of retirement may have changed over the last six years. (See below for summary of the 2016 survey.)
Posted: June 2023

Economic Benefits of Canadian Public Sector Pension Plans
This study quantifies and describes the economic benefits of Canada’s public sector pension plan activities. The focus is on economic activity generated by pension plan members spending their benefits, and pension plan operations, including wages.
Posted: November 2021

The Social Implications of Pensions
This paper examines how defined benefit pension plans affect the plan members, local communities and Canadian taxpayers. The analysis shows these plans are not better just for Canadian workers but for the Canadian economy overall.
Posted: February 2019

2018 CPPLC Pension Forum Rapporteur’s Report – The future of pensions in uncertain times
The Canadian Public Pension Leadership Council held a pension forum in Toronto on November 8, 2018, where 60 leaders in the pension field were asked, What is the future of pensions? This report synthesizes insights from the forum. It expands on insights to help the pension community think about and plan for the future.
Posted: November 2018

Key findings of The Pensions Canadians Want: The Results of a National Survey
This summary discusses the results of a national survey conducted on behalf of the Canadian Public Pension Leadership Council. The results reveal not only that people with workplace pension plans have greater confidence that they will be prepared for retirement, but also that Canadians place value on the features typically found in defined benefit plans and would be willing to pay to secure those features for themselves.
Posted: April 2017

Shifting Public Sector DB Plans to DC – The Experience so far and Implications for Canada
Defined benefit (DB) plans are far more efficient at generating pension income than defined contribution (DC) plans. Converting DB plans to DC plans has been very expensive for jurisdictions that did so.
Posted: October 2014

Read external articles on Canadian pension plans

Canada leads in pension systems for public sector workers
What does Canada do better than any other country? Learn why Canada rates best in the world at responsibly funding its public sector pension liabilities.