Pension Plans
The sponsor may be a company, an employer, a union or a jointly trusteed plan where both management and unions in an industry appoint trustees to a board which manages the plan. This promise is legally stated in the "pension plan document" which states the provisions for the plan.
Pension plans are regulated by governments. In Canada, this occurs at both the federal and provincial level. The federal legislation covers federally incorporated and regulated companies such as airlines. Each province has its own legislation and agency, such as the Ontario Pension Board.
A trustee is appointed to hold the assets in trust for the benefit of the plan members. Usually the trustee is also the custodian, which holds the plan investments. Pension plans usually hire an outside investment manager to invest the plan assets. The sponsor may also appoint an "investment consultant" to advise on investment issues and help select and assess the performance of investment managers.
To learn more, click on the "Bar of Knowlege".
Defined Benefit Pension Plans
Defined Contribution Pension Plans
Pension Fund Investments
Pension Industry Professionals
Government Regulation of Pension Plans
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