Forget the Foosball Table, Where's My Pension? This Year's "Top Employers for Canadians Over 40" Are Announced

TORONTO, April 25, 2014 /CNW/ - If you're like most Canadians, you start to think about the second-half of your career after you've moved through your first entry-level job or two.  After you paid your dues and contributed a significant portion of your working life to an employer, many Canadians wonder what kind of benefits they can expect to receive.  The answer, it turns out, is reassuring - provided that you work for one of this year's "Top Employers for Canadians Over 40", announced this morning.

"Many job-seekers don't realize that retirement-related benefits can easily double your effective compensation your career," says Richard Yerema, Managing Editor of the Canada's Top 100 Employers project, which organizes the competition.  "The CPP and self-funded pension schemes fall short when it comes to providing a comfortable retirement, so Canadians increasingly look to their employers to see how they treat employees in the second-half of their careers."

Published annually since 2001, the "Top Employers for Canadians Over 40" recognizes organizations that outperform their peers based on eight criteria: (1) they offer interesting programs designed to assist older workers; (2) they actively recruit new workers aged 40 years or older; (3) their HR policies take into account the unique concerns of older workers, such as by recognizing work experience at previous employers in determining vacation entitlement; (4) they offer a pension plan with reasonable employer contributions; (5) they assist older employees with retirement and succession planning; (6) they create opportunities for retirees to stay socially connected to former co-workers through organized social activities and volunteering; (7) they extend health coverage and similar benefits to employees after retirement; and (8) whether they offer any programs, such as mentorship and phased-in retirement, to ease the emotional challenges of retirement and ensure older employees' skills are transferred to the next generation.

This year's list of winners and the editors' Reasons for Selection were released this morning at: http://www.CanadasTop100.com/over40

Image with caption: "Top Employers for Canadians Over 40 (2014) (CNW Group/Mediacorp Canada Inc.)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20140425_C5032_PHOTO_EN_39600.jpg

SOURCE: Mediacorp Canada Inc.

Kristina Leung, Editor: 416-964-6069 x1464