EquiNet Equitable Life's advisor site

Site Search

391 results for benefits of seg fund

  1. EZcomplete enhancements for segregated fund applications

    When we launched EZcomplete® for segregated funds back in January we heard a lot of positive comments from our advisors. We also heard that we could do better. So that's just what we did.

     

    1. FUNDSERV CODE 

    Advisors with an active FundSERV code no longer need to remember to select the FundSERV code when starting a new segregated fund application. EZcomplete will now default to the FundSERV code.


    2. LOAN DEPOSIT OPTION
    Under the Contributions section of the segregated fund application for Non-registered, TFSA, RSP or Spousal RSP, Loan is now a deposit option under Deposit Types. If Loan is selected, EZcomplete will ask for amount and Lending Company name. Equitable Life® has partnered with B2B Bank to provide investment and RSP loans at competitive rates. Details can be found on EquiNet® under "Loans".


    3. LIMITING SUCCESSOR ANNUITANT
    Applicable to TFSA, RIF and Spousal RIF applications only, EZcomplete will now use validation to prevent advisors from accidentally naming the same person as both successor annuitant and beneficiary, reducing the instances of "not in good order" applications.


    4. ONGOING PAD FUND SELECTION
    If Ongoing PAD is selected as a Deposit Type, an advisor can allocate the Ongoing PAD to a fund allocation that is different than the rest of the deposit options.


    5. TRANSFER FORM NOTIFICATION
    The MGA and advisor confirmation emails now include text to confirm that a Transfer Form has been uploaded and submitted as part of the segregated fund application. This additional information will act as a reminder to the Advisor/MGA to send the Transfer Form to the relinquishing institution.

     

    6. POPULATING FIELDS
    Advisors will no longer need to keep entering the same advisor and MGA information on new segregated fund applications. The first time an advisor code is used on an EZcomplete segregated fund application, the advisor will populate all the required fields. Each subsequent time a new segregated fund application is created with the same advisor code, the following fields will pre-populate with the values that were last entered.

    a) Advisor Email
    b) Dealer/MGA Name
    c) Branch Number
    d) MGA Email

  2. Equitable Life awarded seven Fundata FundGrade A+ awards
     
    FundGradeAPlus2020Logo-(1).png

    Equitable Life® has won seven Fundata FundGrade A+® awards for 2020. The first four funds are currently available on Equitable Life’s Pivotal Select™ fund lineup. The remaining three awarded funds are part of Equitable’s legacy products. These funds are available to existing Equitable Life contracts only.
    • Equitable Life Dynamic Power Global Growth Fund
    • Equitable Life Accumulative Income Fund
    • Equitable Life Common Stock Fund
     
    The annual awards are presented by Fundata Canada Inc. to investment funds that have shown consistent, outstanding, risk-adjusted performance throughout the previous calendar year.
     
    Equitable Life invests for the big picture and offers a complete range of investment and annuity products designed to meet the savings, accumulation and income needs of clients. Our strength as a company along with our many investment guarantees can help your clients achieve their financial goals with confidence.
     
    FundGrade A+® is used with permission from Fundata Canada Inc., all rights reserved. The annual FundGrade A+® Awards are presented by Fundata Canada Inc. to recognize the “best of the best” among Canadian investment funds. The FundGrade A+® calculation is supplemental to the monthly FundGrade ratings and is calculated at the end of each calendar year. The FundGrade rating system evaluates funds based on their risk-adjusted performance, measured by Sharpe Ratio, Sortino Ratio, and Information Ratio. The score for each ratio is calculated individually, covering all time periods from 2 to 10 years. The scores are then weighted equally in calculating a monthly FundGrade. The top 10% of funds earn an A Grade; the next 20% of funds earn a B Grade; the next 40% of funds earn a C Grade; the next 20% of funds receive a D Grade; and the lowest 10% of funds receive an E Grade. To be eligible, a fund must have received a FundGrade rating every month in the previous year. The FundGrade A+® uses a GPA-style calculation, where each monthly FundGrade from “A” to “E” receives a score from 4 to 0, respectively. A fund’s average score for the year determines its GPA. Any fund with a GPA of 3.5 or greater is awarded a FundGrade A+® Award. For more information, see www.FundGradeAwards.com. Although Fundata makes every effort to ensure the accuracy and reliability of the data contained herein, the accuracy is not guaranteed by Fundata.® ”Equitable Life” and “Pivotal Select” are trademarks of The Equitable Life Insurance Company of Canada.
  3. Equitable Life Group Benefits Bulletin – October 2020

    In this issue:

    • Group benefits enrolment just got a lot easier*
    • Critical Illness added to myFlex Benefits® selection tool**
    • ASO dental available down to 3 lives
    • QDIPC updates terms and conditions for 2021*

    *Indicates content that will be shared with your clients
    **Indicates content that will be shared with myFlex Benefits groups only

    Group benefits enrolment just got a lot easier*

    Our Online Plan Member Enrolment tool now makes it simple to add new employees to the benefits plan.

    Enrolling new plan members can be overwhelming – for both you, your clients and their employees. It’s challenging to ensure plan members complete the necessary paperwork before the enrolment deadline, and time consuming to manually load new members.

    That’s why we’re updating our plan member enrolment experience. Beginning November 2nd, 2020, all Equitable Life groups will be able to easily enrol new employees in the benefits plan with our Online Plan Member Enrolment Tool.

    Benefits of Online Plan Member Enrolment

    Our Online Plan Member Enrolment tool offers a more secure and efficient option to traditional paper enrolment. Employees are able to enrol in their benefits plan in just minutes from their computer or mobile device.

    The user-friendly interface was built with the plan member in mind. They can easily enter all their enrolment information, including dependent details, banking information for direct deposit of claim payments and details for coordination of benefits. They can even designate their beneficiary electronically.

    The online enrolment tool also lessens the effort for plan administrators to onboard new hires. The tool reduces errors and rework that can occur due to spelling mistakes or missing information on paper forms. And the days of chasing plan members for their paper enrolment forms are gone. Once they enter a few employee details, our system will automatically send out an email to each plan member, inviting them to enrol in their benefits program. And there will be no need to send reminders or follow up with employees about their benefits enrolment. It’s all done automatically.

    Online plan member enrolment is available to all traditional and myFlex Benefits plan administrators with update access beginning November 2nd, 2020. Plan administrators just choose “New” from the “Certificate” view in EquitableHealth.ca to get started.

    This enhancement is for plan administrators who have update access on EquitableHealth.ca. If your clients are not sure if they have update access, they can contact their Equitable Life Client Relationship Specialist or myFlex Benefits Team for support.

    Learn More

    We’ve created Online Plan Member Enrolment User Guides to support your clients and their plan members with this new tool:

    We’re also offering a series of webinars to help your clients learn about Online Plan Member Enrolment. Plan administrators will receive an invitation with links to register for the time that best suits their schedule.

    Help your clients spend less time administering group benefits. Contact your Group Account Executive or myFlex Sales Manager to learn more about our enhanced online plan member enrolment.

    Critical Illness added to myFlex Benefits selection tool*

    For many employers, mandatory Critical Illness (CI) coverage is an important part of their group benefits package. It provides proactive protection against life-altering illness, helping give plan members and their families a sense of security.

    While CI is available on myFlex Benefits plans, it was not built into our benefits selection tool since there is no action required by the plan member.

    Beginning November 2nd, 2020, we are adding a CI page to the myFlex Benefits selection tool that appears when this coverage is included as part of the plan. There are no options to choose – plan members simply review their CI coverage and carry on with the benefits selection process. It keeps the process smooth, while ensuring plan members fully appreciate their employer’s contributions.

    Adding CI to the benefits selection tool also simplifies the budgeting process for employers. Now that CI is included in the selection tool, employers no longer need to break out the amount billed for CI from their contribution per employee when loading flex allocations.

    To learn more about our myFlex Benefits selection tool or Critical Illness coverage for myFlex Benefits, contact your myFlex Sales Manager.

    ASO dental available down to 3 lives

    Beginning November 2nd, 2020, groups with as few as three full-time employees will be able to self-insure their Equitable Life dental benefits with an Administrative Services Only (ASO) funding arrangement.

    Currently, dental benefits are only available on an ASO basis for groups with 20 lives or more.

    In an ASO arrangement, Equitable Life administers the benefits plan but does not insure it. The plan sponsor pays for all eligible claims, as well as the expenses of administering the plan.

    Why ASO?

    Choosing an ASO funding arrangement allows plan sponsors to save on premiums. With a traditional insured funding arrangement, a portion of every premium dollar includes a charge for the risk that the insurer is assuming to cover the claims.

    With an ASO arrangement, the plan sponsor assumes all risk, so they avoid the risk charge. And since dental claims are usually more predictable than other benefits, there is typically less risk involved in covering those claims.

    For more information, contact your Group Account Executive or myFlex Sales Manager.

    QDIPC updates terms and conditions for 2021*

    Every year, the Quebec Drug Insurance Pooling Corporation (QDIPC) reviews the terms and conditions for the high-cost pooling system in the province. Based on its latest review, QDIPC is revising its pooling levels and fees for 2021 to reflect trends in the volume of claims submitted to the pool, particularly catastrophic claims.

    Size of group (# of certificates) Threshold per certificate 2021 Annual factor (without dependents) Annual factor (with dependents)
    Fewer than 25 $8,000 $251.00 $691.00
    25 - 49 $16,500 $165.00 $455.00
    50 - 124 $32,500 $94.00 $258.00
    125 - 249 $47,500 $68.00 $187.00
    250 - 499 $72,000 $49.00 $135.00
    500 - 999 $95,000 $40.00 $111.00
    1,000 - 3,999 $120,000 $35.00 $95.00
    4,000 - 5,999 $300,000 $16.00 $44.00
    6,000 and over Free market - Groups not subject to Quebec Industry Pooling Free market - Groups not subject to Quebec Industry Pooling Free market - Groups not subject to Quebec Industry Pooling

    We will apply the new pooling levels and fees to future renewal calculations that involve Quebec plan members.

  4. Equitable Life added the Mackenzie Global Strategic Income Fund to Pivotal Select
    On June 7, 2021, Equitable Life® launched five additional funds to the Pivotal Select™ segregated funds lineup. Included in the launch is the Mackenzie Global Strategic Income Fund. Designed to deliver growth and income to investors, the underlying fund objective seeks income with the potential for long-term capital growth by investing primarily in fixed-income and/or income-oriented equity securities of issuers anywhere in the world.
     
    At Equitable Life, we pride ourselves on offering quality products. This means always reviewing our investment fund lineup. This fund, along with the other new funds are available on all Pivotal Select load types and guarantee classes, providing you and your clients with even more choice and flexibility.
     
    To learn more about Mackenzie Global Strategic Income Fund, join us on Tuesday, June 22 at 2:00 p.m. ET/11:00 a.m. PT to hear Eric Glover, AVP Investment Director and Hadiza Djataou, VP Investment Director, from Mackenzie Investments, highlight the balanced solution that this fund can bring to your client’s investment portfolio.
     

    Click here to register!

     
    Want to learn more about our new funds? Contact your Regional Investment Sales Manager today.
     
    ® and ™ denotes a registered trademark of The Equitable Life Insurance Company of Canada.
  5. Equitable Life Savings & Retirement Webinar Series welcomes Franklin Templeton
    In 2021, Equitable Life’s® S&R team will spotlight various aspects of our competitive fund lineup and product offerings. Each webinar in the series will feature a new topic. This series will also give advisors an opportunity to:
    • learn more about various products and product features,
    • hear from industry professionals,
    • learn about investment strategies; and so much more.
    This month, Equitable Life welcomes Les Stelmach, Senior Vice President, Portfolio Manager Franklin Bissett Investment Management and Ryan Crowther, Vice President, Portfolio Manager, Franklin Bissett Investment Management.

    Join your host Joseph Trozzo, Investment Sales Vice President and Franklin Templeton. Equitable Life is pleased to highlight access to the Bissett Monthly Income and Growth Fund Select, Bissett Canadian Equity Fund and Bissett Dividend Income Fund in the Pivotal Select™ segregated fund line-up.
     

    Learn More

  6. Equitable Life is making changes to its Pivotal Select Fund lineup
    On June 7, 2021, Equitable Life® will be launching new funds to the Pivotal Select™ segregated funds lineup. The new funds include: 
     
    1.            Mackenzie Global Strategic Income Fund
    2.            Fidelity® Special Situations Fund
    3.            Fidelity® Tactical Asset Allocation Income Portfolio
    4.            Fidelity® Tactical Asset Allocation Balanced Portfolio
    5.            Fidelity® Tactical Asset Allocation Growth Portfolio
     
    At Equitable Life, we pride ourselves on offering quality products. This means always reviewing our investment fund lineup. The reasons for this change are to create greater focus on investment offerings, and enhanced investment choices for you and your clients.
     
    Watch your email over the next few weeks for more details about Fidelity Investments and Mackenzie Investments, including two upcoming webcasts.   
     
    Fidelity and Fidelity Investments are registered trademarks of 483A Bay Street Holdings LP. Used with permission.
    Equitable Life and Pivotal Select are trademarks of The Equitable Life Insurance Company of Canada.
  7. Equitable Life Savings & Retirement Webinar Series welcomes Franklin Templeton

    In 2021, Equitable Life’s® S&R team will spotlight various aspects of our competitive fund lineup and product offerings. Each webinar in the series will feature a new topic. This series will also give advisors an opportunity to:
    • learn more about various products and product features,
    • hear from industry professionals,
    • learn about investment strategies; and so much more.
    This month, Equitable Life welcomes Les Stelmach, Senior Vice President, Portfolio Manager Franklin Bissett Investment Management and Ryan Crowther, Vice President, Portfolio Manager, Franklin Bissett Investment Management.

    Join your host Joseph Trozzo, Investment Sales Vice President and Franklin Templeton. Equitable Life is pleased to highlight access to the Bissett Monthly Income and Growth Fund Select, Bissett Canadian Equity Fund and Bissett Dividend Income Fund in the Pivotal Select™ segregated fund line-up.
     

    Learn More

  8. A good time to look at the Equitable Life Money Market Fund Select Whether clients are looking for a short-term cash savings solution or are interested in funding a dollar cost averaging strategy, the Equitable Life Money Market Fund Select may be an ideal solution.

    With a current yield to maturity of 2.32%*, the fund provides maximum income through short-term investments consistent with preservation of capital and liquidity. 

    And advisors earn the full commission upon deposit on funds used for a dollar cost averaging strategy.

    For more information check out Equitable Life Money Market Fund Select or contact your Director, Investment Sales.

    * As of April 3, 2025, net of fees. Yield to Maturity: The market value weighted average yield to maturity includes the coupon payments and any capital gain or loss that the investor will realize by holding the bonds to maturity.

    ™ or ® denote registered trademarks of The Equitable Life Insurance Company of Canada.

    Date posted: April 7, 2025
     
  9. Saving time with our fully digital group benefits application On May 1, 2023, we are launching Equitable BenefitsApply™, our fully digital group benefits application.
     
    This enhancement to the benefits application process will help both you and your clients save time when applying for an Equitable Life group benefits policy. We designed and developed BenefitsApply with input and feedback from several advisors and clients, who tested the tool for themselves.
     
    In most cases, BenefitsApply will replace our traditional paper implementation process.*
     
    BenefitsApply eliminates the need for clients to complete and sign multiple, lengthy paper forms. Time-saving features for you and your clients include:
    • A fully digital online application that you can access wherever and whenever you need it,
    • Pre-filled standard fields,
    • Only one signature required from plan sponsors,
    • A smart application that only includes the sections relevant to the client and the plan design they have chosen, and
    • Automatic notifications of any missing fields. 
    Your Client Relationship Specialist is available to support you, provide a demo and provide training on how to use BenefitsApply.
     
    We will continue improving BenefitsApply’s features based on feedback from the people who use it—you and your clients. We encourage you to share any feedback you have with your Group Account Executive or your Client Relationship Specialist.
     
    *BenefitsApply is currently available for groups with up to four divisions and up to four classes. It is not available for myFlex Benefits plans, or for clients with a customized master application.
  10. [pdf] Pivotal Select Application - TFSA