Disrupting disability: Time for a refresh?
In a recent survey by Eckler, when unions and plan sponsors were asked about the relative importance of different types of benefit coverages, short-term disability ...
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Experience
With Eckler since 2011, Ellen leads both the Group Benefits and Communications Practices. A Fellow of both the Society of Actuaries and the Canadian Institute of Actuaries, Ellen has over 25 years of benefits consulting experience.
Ellen provides advice on all aspects of group benefit plans, including appropriate underwriting models, renewals, financials, marketing, disability management and plan design. On the actuarial work, Ellen provides advice on all aspects of assumption setting, valuation, risk management and mitigation, plan design, funding, wind-up, and accounting for post-employment and post-retirement benefit plans. She has also provided education to clients and the industry on post-employment and post-retirement plan issues, through focused roundtables, education seminars, speaking engagements, expert witness testimony and published articles. She was instrumental in creating the ATMS training for benefit plan issues confronted by new trustees on behalf of the International Foundation of Employee Benefits.
In her professional capacity, Ellen has been a member and chair of several committees and task-forces of the Canadian Institute of Actuaries on benefit plan issues. Currently, she sits on Eckler’s Board of Directors, and the board of the Girls to the Power of Math
Areas of Expertise
- Funding and accounting for benefit plans
- Trusteed (Employee Life and Health Trust) governance
- Financial modelling
- Plan design
- Insolvencies and benefit plan wind-ups
- Group benefits thought leadership
Professional Qualifications
Professional Qualifications
- Bachelor of Science – University of Toronto
- Fellow of the Canadian Institute of Actuaries (FCIA)
- Fellow of the Society of Actuaries (FSA)
Professional Activities
- Serves as a member of Eckler’s Board of Directors
Thought Leadership
As a member of the editorial board, Ellen currently helps set direction for Eckler’s GroupNews, a monthly e-Newsletter that provides commentary on the issues affecting Canadian group benefit plans. The most recent issues can be accessed below.
Ellen is also a regular contributor to industry publications, and is often quoted in trade articles. Here’s just a sampling:
With baby boomers aging, the cost of long-term care is set to triple in the next 30 years. What’s our plan for dealing with this?
The Globe and Mail – October 8, 2019 – Ellen was a contributor to the report discussed in this article
The Future Co$t of Long-Term Care in Canada
The National Institute on Aging – October 2019 – Ellen contributed to this valuable piece of research as a peer reviewer.
The Actuarial Foundation of Canada’s Fall 2018 Fundraising Campaign
Canadian Institute of Actuaries Monthly eNewsletter – October 2018
Post-Age 65 Benefits After Talos v. Grand Erie District School Board
International Foundation of Employee Benefit Plans – Webcast – July 2018
OHIP+ for seniors a ‘significant win’ for employers with retiree benefits plans
Benefits Canada – March 2018
Can the Retiree Health Benefits Situation in Canada be Saved?
Benefits and Compensation International – 2014
Personal
When she isn’t working hard for her clients, Ellen offers her time to the Girls to the Power of Math as a volunteer board member.
She also takes time to keep both her body and mind active with her favourite hobbies – travelling, skiing, hiking, softball, volleyball and puzzles.