Focus 2026: where clarity drives results

Watch the webinar recordings now!

Thanks to all who joined us live for Focus 2026. If you missed it, all three session videos are now available to watch.

Focus 2026 session videos:

• A rare moment of strength – smart ways to protect DB plan surplus
• Innovations in pension de-risking – a PRT case study
• The Halifax Port ILA/HEA Pension Plan – navigating PRT for the best member outcomes

Watch the videos and get practical takeaways you can apply to your own DB pension plans.  

Watch the full webinar recording

Event host

• Jonathan Morin, DB Solutions
• Marco Dickner, WTW

With many Canadian DB plans now in surplus, plan sponsors are facing new strategic choices. This session explores the powerful connection between DB pension surplus management and group annuities. We’ll look at how these tools can work together to uncover the true size of surplus assets and the opportunities available.

Learn why surplus changes the conversation, how group annuities fit into a comprehensive financing strategy, and the key considerations sponsors should be thinking about as they navigate this evolving environment. This will be a practical, timely discussion on how to make the most of today’s DB landscape – before conditions change again.

•  Kelly Zhan, DB Solutions
•  Kieran Gillett, DB Solutions

Discover how a complex DB pension plan successfully executed a group annuity transaction by overcoming common barriers to risk transfer. This session features a real-world case study demonstrating out-of-the-box thinking to solve challenges that previously prevented plan sponsors from achieving their pension de-risking objectives.

Through this case study, participants will learn how the DB Solutions team collaborated with the plan sponsor and their consultant to address:

• Complex plan provisions
• Portability requirements 
• High proportion of deferred members 
• Active members inclusion 
• Indexation management 

Gain practical insights into how these innovative solutions can help unlock de-risking opportunities for plans previously considered too complex to de-risk.

• Dhvani Desai, DB Solutions
• Blair Richards, Halifax Port ILA/HEA
• Émile Alarie, Mercer

This client spotlight will showcase a complex annuity transaction that prioritized member benefits above all else. Learn how The Halifax Port ILA/HEA Pension Plan, Mercer and Sun Life worked together to deliver the highest possible indexation with cost certainty. Creating a custom solution to address illiquid assets held in the plan enabled this sponsor to transact on their preferred timeline.