Statistics Canada Pension Research

Statistics Canada is inviting comments from clients on a new report that proposes a methodology for putting a value on employer pension plan benefits in relation to the Survey of Financial Security.

Details are available in a new report issued early this month titled Survey of Financial Security, Estimating the value of employer pension plan benefits: A discussion paper. Members of the public are invited to express their views to Statistics Canada by March 16. Information on how to provide feedback is in the report.

The Survey of Financial Security, conducted in 1999, was a survey of Canadians' assets and debts. It collected information on the value of the financial and non-financial assets owned by each family unit, and on the amount of their debt. The result will be an estimate of Canadians' net worth, which Statistics Canada expects to release shortly.

The intention of this study is to refine this initial estimate of net worth by adding to it an estimate of the value of benefits accrued in employer pension plans. This is an important addition to any asset and debt survey, as it will be the largest asset for many families. With the aging of the population, information on pension accumulations is greatly needed to better understand the financial situation of those nearing retirement.

The report is available free of charge on Statistics Canada's Web site (www.statcan.ca). From the Products and services page, choose Research papers (free), then Personal finance and household finance, then Asset and debt research paper series.

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