The Pensions, Benefits and Executive Compensation Group of Dentons is one of the most experienced in Canada. Our senior lawyers are recognized across the country as pension and benefit experts, and are regularly consulted by provincial and federal government entities for input on pension policy and legislation.

Dentons can guide you through the legal and regulatory complexities of pension and benefit challenges and opportunities. We help employers, administrators, trustees and pension committees understand their options and governance responsibilities. We combine deep, technical knowledge with decades of practical experience to offer our clients solutions and legal protections in dealing with the day-to-day administration of their employee benefit plans. We promise prompt, effective responses to provide you with cost-efficient and understandable advice.

We advise on employee and executive compensation, including the complete range of benefits, such as pension plans, deferred equity compensation plans, supplementary retirement compensation arrangements, employee stock purchase plans, de-risking and annuity buy-ins, capital accumulation retirement savings plans, profit-sharing plans, retiree benefits and other group benefit plans.

In Ontario, Dentons is particularly well-known for assisting with “section 81 transfers” thereby enabling pension plan sponsors to merge their pension plans to achieve significant financial savings and reduce administrative costs.

We act for private and public sector employers with both unionized and non-unionized workforces.  We advise on the pension issues involved in mergers and acquisitions and we represent clients before courts and tribunals across the country. Whether you’re in a federally or provincially regulated industry, buying an insolvent business with pension or retiree benefits, or if you are facing special tax or investment rules, you need legal advisors who understand all of the risks, advantages and potential opportunities associated with employee benefit plans.

Recognition

Dentons Canada's exceptional talent gets recognized in Chambers Canada 2021

September 10, 2020

Dentons is pleased to share the news that the Firm was recognized 97 times in the Chambers Canada 2021 client guide, with 23 of these achieving the highest ranking levels possible (Bands 1 and 2).

Insights

British Columbia Financial Services Authority releases pension-specific information security guideline

May 9, 2025

On March 25, 2025, the British Columbia Financial Services Authority (BCFSA), the regulator of provincially regulated financial institutions (PRFI’s), including provincially registered pension plans, released an information security guideline specific to pension plan administrators (the Pension Plan IS Guideline).

Employment and Labour Law: 2024 Year in Review and Future Trends

January 23, 2025

2024 was a pivotal year for employers and workplaces, defined by evolving legislation, significant court decisions and shifting workforce dynamics. From groundbreaking rulings on wrongful dismissal to critical updates in workplace health and safety requirements, employers navigated both opportunities and challenges in adapting to these changes.

CAPSA Guideline No. 10: New risk management guideline for plan administrators

December 18, 2024

On September 9, 2024, the Canadian Association of Pension Supervisory Authorities (CAPSA) released two guidelines: Guideline No. 3: Guideline for Capital Accumulation Plans (updating a version from 2004) and new Guideline No. 10: Guideline for Risk Management for Plan Administrators (the “Guideline No. 10”).

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News and Events

Recent Press Releases

Dentons Canada's exceptional talent gets recognized in Chambers Canada 2021

September 10, 2020

Dentons is pleased to share the news that the Firm was recognized 97 times in the Chambers Canada 2021 client guide, with 23 of these achieving the highest ranking levels possible (Bands 1 and 2).

Dentons welcomes three new lawyers in Vancouver office

December 11, 2014

Dentons Canada LLP is pleased to announce that three prominent lawyers have joined the Firm; Jillian Frank as Partner; and Claude Marchessault and Tejbir Sandhar, both as Counsel. Based in Vancouver, these lawyers bring expanded depth and expertise to Dentons in each of their respective areas of practice.

Dentons counsels Canadian Wheat Board on game-changing pension solution

June 19, 2013

Dentons Canada LLP is proud to be Canadian Wheat Board’s legal advisor regarding a $150-million inflation-linked annuity policy agreement – the first such transaction in Canada. The agreement, signed by Canadian Wheat Board (CWB) and Sun Life Assurance Company of Canada, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Sun Life Financial Inc. (TSX/NYSE: SLF), transfers investment and longevity risk from CWB's defined benefit pension plan to Sun Life Financial.

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