Court of Appeal decision highlights importance of clear pension communications

By Julius Melnitzer | August 13, 2021

A recent Saskatchewan Court of Appeal decision illustrates the importance of clear communications from pension administrators seeking to avoid liability from lawsuits by claimants alleging they’re entitled to a plan member’s death benefits.

“What it comes down to is that employers and pension plans that want to avoid lawsuits from plan members claiming to be beneficiaries or that want to defend these suits successfully must outline clearly to plan members what their options are,” says Mitch Frazer, a pensions and employment law partner at Torys LLP. “Otherwise, the plan will be liable for any losses incurred.”