Description: There is no silver bullet to improving retirement income outcomes for retirees. However, a combination of changes can be of significant value in addressing this overlooked issue. Although QLACs on the surface have potential value, they are not nearly as efficient as they could be. So far, employer plans have provided limited options for retirement income solutions. IRAs may not cost effectively serve the best interest of retirees. Employer plans should be encouraged to become retirement income providers and alternative approaches should be considered. The current prohibition on allowing plans to modify benefit payouts based on mortality experience should be reconsidered to allow for innovative plan income designs. Improvements to the deaccumulation stage of the retiree nest egg are challenging yet necessary.

Description: Presented at Living to 100 Symposium, January 2011. The first part of this paper gives background material on the existing Canadian Income Security system, including both government-sponsored systems and private sector supplements. The second part is the report from the Canadian Institute of Actuaries' Task Force on Government-Facilitated Retirement Income Plans published March 2010, which provided actuarial input to the Canadian pension reform debate.