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Let’s “Talk Money”: Helping clients feel better about their finances
This November is Financial Literacy Month, and the theme is simple but powerful: “Talk Money.” The goal is simple—get Canadians talking about money. When people open up about budgeting, debt, or financial stress, they feel more confident and less alone.
Money and mental health are connected
Many Canadians feel stressed about money. That stress can affect their mental health. As an advisor, you can help by starting honest conversations. When clients talk about their worries, they’re more likely to take action and feel better.
How advisors can help
You don’t need to be a therapist. Just listen, ask questions, and offer simple steps. Here are a few ideas:
- Ask how clients feel about their finances.
- Share stories of others who overcame money stress.
- Celebrate small wins, like setting a budget or saving a little more.
- Use Equitable’s online learning modules to equip yourself with knowledge to help support client goals.
- Watch our on-demand webcast: How to stay grounded in a changing world: Supporting financial and mental well-being
Let’s talk money
Talking about money helps people feel stronger and more in control. This month, let’s help clients open up, take action, and build better habits—financially and emotionally.
If you have any questions, feel free to reach out to your Director, Investment Sales. -
What’s your saving style?
A TFSA for its flexibility or an RRSP for tax-deferred growth.
Did you know? More than 65% of people who put money into a TFSA* earn less than $80,000 a year. That’s why TFSAs are popular with middle-income Canadians. They’re simple and flexible: you don’t get a tax break when you put money in, but you don’t pay tax when you take money out. This makes them great for people who don’t get big benefits from tax deductions.
On the other hand, 54% of RRSP contributors earn more than $80,000 per year*. RRSPs often work better for higher-income earners because contributions lower taxable income. That means bigger tax savings for people in higher tax brackets.
Here’s the good news: From January 1 to March 2, 2026, when clients open or add money to an Equitable TFSA or RRSP, they’ll be entered into Equitable’s Snowball Your Savings contest. Two winners will be chosen—and their advisors will celebrate too!
How to Enter
Advisors can help clients submit contributions through EZcomplete® or process transactions using EZtransact®. Every entry is a chance to win!
Want ideas to boost contributions and help Canadians save more? Connect with your Director, Investment Sales today.
* Source: advisor.ca/news/tfsas-more-popular-than-rrsps-in-2023/
® and ™ denote trademarks of The Equitable Life Insurance Company of Canada.
Equitable’s Snowball Your Savings contest: No purchase necessary. Contest period January 1, 2026 to March 2, 2026. Enter by making a deposit to an Equitable Tax-Free Savings Account or Registered Retirement Savings Plan during the contest period or by submitting a no-purchase entry. Two prizes of $5,000 CAD to be drawn on March 23, 2026 will be awarded. The servicing advisor for the contract to which the selected entrants made the deposit is also an eligible winner and will receive a $1,000 CAD prize. For example, if an Equitable client is a winner of the $5,000 prize, the client’s servicing advisor for the relevant contract wins a $1,000 prize. Open to legal residents of Canada of the age of majority. Odds of winning depend on number of eligible entries received during the Contest Period. For full contest rules, including no-purchase method of entry, see the full contest rules. -
Insights from a pandemic: COVID-19 and group benefits plans
We’ve received numerous questions about the impact of COVID-19 and what it will mean for benefits plans in the months ahead. Below is a summary of what we’re seeing so far. In the coming weeks, we’ll explore each of these topics in greater depth.
Disability
Initially, as COVID-19 started to spread, we saw STD claims ramp up quickly. Since then, we’ve seen the number of COVID-19-related STD claims slow significantly. As for LTD, we believe both the incidence and duration of those claims will increase in both the short term and medium term due to COVID-19.
Health and Dental Claims
We saw an overall spike in the volume and paid amounts for drug claims in March as plan members rushed to stock up on their medications. This was followed by a drop in April after most provinces put 30-day refill limits in place. One exception was claims for asthma drugs which surged in March but had no drop in April. Overall, the April plunge will be short-lived; drug costs have already begun to rise in May.
While paramedical and dental claims are down, we are seeing an increase in claims for virtual treatments and emergency dental services. We expect that claims will spike once the current pandemic restrictions are lifted. We’ve already started to see claims rise in provinces that are allowing health providers to re-open.
Despite the shift to more virtual services, we haven’t seen an increase in fraudulent activity. But we continue to be vigilant. Our investigative practices – verifying with the plan member that they received the treatment and have a valid receipt, and that the practitioner has treatment notes – remain the same whether treatment is provided in person or virtually.
Technology
During this time of physical distancing, people are looking for ways to interact with their providers virtually. Fortunately, our business model is almost entirely electronic, and we have several convenient digital options available for plan members and plan sponsors. Our focus in recent weeks has been to remind clients and plan members about these tools and make it as easy as possible for them to activate and use them. And we are continually adding functionality that will allow us to serve our customers even better.
Mental Health/Wellness
Usage of i-Volve, Homewood’s online cognitive behavioural therapy tool, increased significantly in March before levelling back down in April and May. And while EFAP cases fell in April and early-May, the number of cases has begun to climb in recent weeks, particularly for anxiety. In the coming weeks and months, we expect an eventual increase in marital and family issues, as well as depression. We’ve also seen an increase in mental-health-related prescriptions.
Plan Design
It’s too early to predict how the COVID-19 pandemic will impact benefits plan design and how it will change in the coming months. We would love to get your feedback and insights about how benefit plans will evolve and what new features or provisions they should include.
Please share your thoughts and suggestions with your Group Account Executive or myFlex Marketing Manager. Or, you can email your ideas to GroupCommunications@equitable.ca.
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New secure encryption process for outstanding Equitable S&R business requirements
The Equitable® Savings and Retirement Operations team is improving how they send secure email messages to advisors. These emails are sent when there are outstanding requirements for an application or missing information for requests.
Previously, advisors had to manually password protect or unlock PDF documents. This caused delays and difficulties for recipients. The new encryption process will remove that confusion and make it easier for advisors to send and receive secure, encrypted messages.
Advisors will now receive secure, encrypted emails from the QA annuity operations mailbox. These emails will use an encrypt option to protect personal client information, such as attachments or requests for personal documents. Recipients will get an email with a subject line saying they have a secure private message. They will need to sign in to view the message or choose to get a one-time passcode (OTP).
Please ensure to check the SPAM folder for the OTP option as it will expire in 15 minutes. Enter the OTP in the secure message
portal.
Emails are sent in both English and French, with automatic translation based on browser settings. Recipients must click the view button to access the message in the secure web portal where they can see the encrypted attachment.
Make sure to click Reply in the top right corner of the encrypted message to keep communications within the secure portal.
For more information or assistance, please contact your Director, Investment Sales.
Date posted: May 22, 2025 -
This year’s RSP deadline is March 2, 2026
RRSP deposits to be considered for the 2025 tax year must be:
• Dated March 2, 2026, or before
• Must be submitted to Head Office in good order by March 6, 2026, by 4:00 p.m. ET
RRSP applications to be considered for 2025 contribution year must be submitted in good order by:
• March 2, 2026, 11:59 p.m. ET
RRSP B2B Loans:
• RRSP loan deposits must be received from B2B by March 13, 2026, by 4:00 p.m. ET
Note: Transactions submitted after these dates will not receive a 2025 contribution receipt
Please note that all requirements must be received in Head Office by the above dates to guarantee settlement for year end.
Have you started talking to your clients about their Registered Retirement Savings Plan (RRSP) contributions yet? Equitable® has a range of RRSP solutions that can help meet their needs, including:- Daily/Guaranteed Interest Account
- Equitable Guaranteed Investment Funds™, available in:
- o Investment Class (75/75)
- o Estate Class (75/100)
- o Protection Class (100/100)
Most clients genuinely want to save for retirement, but intentions alone aren’t enough—they need a plan. As their trusted advisor, you can help them understand why making their RRSP a priority is an important step toward long‑term financial security.
To support those conversations
Most clients genuinely want to save for retirement, but intentions alone aren’t enough—they need a plan. As their trusted advisor, you can help them understand why making their RRSP a priority is an important step toward long‑term financial security.
To support those conversations, we’ve pulled together helpful tools and marketing materials that show how an Equitable RRSP can make a meaningful difference in reaching their retirement goals. Resources include:- Investment calculators
- A retirement savings plan is just a relevant now as it was over 60 years ago
- Borrowing money to save money
From January 1 to March 2, 2026, when clients open or add money to an Equitable TFSA or RRSP, they’ll automatically be entered into Equitable’s Snowball Your Savings contest. Two lucky clients will win — and their advisors get to celebrate too! -
Smarter saving with GIA Laddering
Want to show clients how to grow their savings in smart ways? Try Guaranteed Interest Account (GIA) laddering—a simple strategy that helps clients earn more interest and stay flexible.
How does it work?
Instead of a client putting all their money into one-year GIAs, laddering means splitting the money into different GIAs with different end dates. This way clients can:
• Earn better interest rates.• Get access to part of their money every year.• Be ready if interest rates go up or down.Use our new calculator
Equitable’s new GIA Laddering Calculator shows clients how this strategy compares to putting all their money in one-year GIAs each year. It helps clients see which option could give them more money over time.
Contact your Director, Investment Sales to see how laddering can work for clients.
Date posted: September 15, 2025 -
April 2023 eNews
Vision care discounts from Bailey Nelson for Equitable Life plan members*
We are pleased to announce we are partnering with Bailey Nelson to provide Equitable Life plan members with discounts on prescription and non-prescription eyewear. Bailey Nelson is a leading provider of prescription glasses, contact lenses and sunglasses with locations across Canada, as well as an online store.
All Equitable Life plan members will have access to the following discounts from Bailey Nelson:
*Includes anti-reflection and anti-scratch treatment. Glasses offers are based on 2 pairs of single vision or 1 pair of premium progressive lenses. Lens add-ons, such as high-index lenses and prescription tinted lens tints may involve additional costs.
**Non-prescription glasses only. Cannot be combined with 2 for $200 discount.
Plan members can provide their Equitable Life discount code in-store or at online checkout. Your clients may wish to distribute this convenient flyer with an overview of the available discounts to their plan members.
Plan members can bring their prescription to a Bailey Nelson location or provide it online to order glasses and contact lenses. Bailey Nelson also provides eye exams in-store for $99.
If you have any questions, please contact your Group Account Executive or myFlex Sales Manager.
Equitable Life helps tackle benefits fraud through Joint Provider Fraud Investigation (JPFI) initiative*
Protecting your clients’ plans is important to us. That’s why Equitable Life is working with other Canadian life and health insurers to conduct joint investigations into health service providers that are suspected of fraudulent activities through the Canadian Life and Health Insurance Association’s (CLHIA’s) Joint Provider Fraud Investigation (JPFI) initiative. This collaborative initiative between major Canadian life and health insurers through the CLHIA is a major step toward reducing benefits fraud in the life and health benefits insurance industry.How the JPFI works
The JPFI builds on the 2022 launch of a CLHIA-supported industry program. The program uses advanced artificial intelligence to help identify fraudulent activity across an industry pool of anonymized claims data. Joint investigations will examine suspicious patterns across this data.
Through this project, Equitable Life can initiate a request to begin a joint fraud investigation when we:- See suspected provider fraud in our own data or the pooled data, or
- Receive a substantiated tip about potential provider fraud
How Equitable Life protects your clients’ benefits plans from fraud
Benefits fraud is a crime that affects insurers, employers and employees and puts the sustainability of workplace benefits at risk. CLHIA estimates that employers and insurers lose millions each year to benefits fraud and abuse.
Our Investigative Claims Unit (ICU) consists of security and fraud experts who use data analytics and artificial intelligence to proactively identify and investigate suspicious billing patterns or claims activity to open investigations. We de-list healthcare providers who are engaged in questionable or fraudulent practices, pursue the recovery of improperly obtained funds, and report practitioners to regulatory bodies and law enforcement where appropriate.
Learn more about benefits fraud, or contact your Group Account Executive or myFlex Sales Manager for more information.Second phase of TELUS eClaims transition*
In June 2022, we switched to TELUS Health eClaims as our digital billing provider to give our plan members a faster and more convenient option for submitting paramedical and vision claims. The switch has allowed our plan members to take advantage of TELUS’s extensive network of over 70,000 paramedical and vision providers.
We’ve now begun the second phase of our TELUS Health eClaims implementation. This phase will focus on improving the experience for paramedical and vision providers. We will begin issuing reconciliation statements for the claims they submit on behalf of their patients. These statements will make it easier for them to use the TELUS Health eClaims portal and provide incentive for even more providers to sign up.
Please encourage your clients to remind their plan members about this convenient option. We have created a helpful one-pager that plan members can bring with them next time they have an appointment with their healthcare provider.
If you have any questions about TELUS Health eClaims, please contact your Group Account Executive or myFlex Sales Manager.
Changes to STD application process for COVID-19 cases*
As the COVID-19 situation evolves, we continue to adjust our disability management practices to ensure ongoing support and a fair experience for all our plan members.
As of May 1, 2023, we will begin managing COVID-19-related short-term disability (STD) claims the same way that we manage disability claims for any other illness or condition. If a plan member is unable to work due to COVID-19 symptoms or a positive COVID-19 test, they must now use the standard STD application, including the Attending Physician Statement portion.
Once we receive the claim, we will adjudicate it according to our standard process.
If you have any questions, please contact your Group Account Executive or myFlex Sales Manager.
* Indicates content that will be shared with your clients.
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With the Equitable Life FHSA, you don’t have to wait to get clients’ money working for them
The Equitable™ First Home Savings Account is off and running! Thanks to your amazing support, many clients have already taken advantage of the great benefits the FHSA has to offer. Let’s keep the momentum going.
Clients don’t need to wait to start making their dream of home ownership a reality!
With the Equitable FHSA they can put their money to work right away. Available on Pivotal Select™ Investment Class (75/75) and Pivotal Select Estate Class (75/100), the Equitable FHSA offers clients an array of investment products to suit their individual needs and risk tolerance.
Don’t wait. Get clients started today!
And, clients who open a FHSA before December 31, 2023, have a chance to win $8,000 towards their 2024 FHSA contribution. And, the advisor wins $2,000!
To open a FHSA for clients, log into EZcomplete®, our highly rated online application tool. It is easy to use, convenient, and fast.
For more information on FHSA, including a FAQ, and client materials, visit EquiNet® or contact your Regional Investment Sales Manager.
® and ™ denotes a trademark of The Equitable Life Insurance Company of Canada.
Equitable FHSA Contest: No purchase necessary. Contest period September 11 to December 31, 2023. Enter by making a deposit to an Equitable FHSA during the contest period or by submitting a no-purchase entry. One prize for a total value of $8,000 CAD to be drawn on January 16, 2024, will be awarded. The servicing advisor for the policy to which the selected entrant made the deposit is also an eligible winner will receive a $2,000 CAD prize. For example, if an Equitable client is a winner of the $8,000 prize, the client’s servicing advisor wins a $2,000 prize. Open to legal residents of Canada of the age of majority. Odds of winning depend on number of eligible Entries received during the Contest Period. For full contest rules, including no-purchase method of entry, see full contest rules.
Posted November 7, 2023 -
Do you have clients considering a First Home Savings Account in 2024?
We want to help clients save money for their first home. A First Home Savings Account (FHSA) is a registered plan allowing prospective first-time homebuyers to save for their first home tax-free up to $8,000 a year or a lifetime contribution limit of $40,000.
With the Equitable® FHSA, they can put their money to work right away. Available on Pivotal Select™ Investment Class (75/75) and Pivotal Select Estate Class (75/100) and Daily/Guaranteed Interest Account (DIA/GIA), Equitable offers clients an array of investment products to suit their individual needs and risk tolerance.
Do not wait. Get clients started today!
To open a FHSA or DIA/GIA for clients, log in to EZcomplete®, our highly rated online application tool. It is easy to use, convenient, and fast.
For more information on FHSA or DIA/GIA, including a FAQ and client materials, visit EquiNet® or contact your Director, Investment Sales.
Date posted: October 16, 2024 - COVID-19 Group Benefits FAQ