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Decumulation: creating value through structure

Group Savings and Retirement July 16, 2026
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Today, decumulation is becoming increasingly important as life expectancy rises and Canadians take on greater responsibility for managing their retirement income that may need to last 20, 30 years, or even longer.

However, retirement decisions are becoming more complex1. Key factors to consider include the sequence of withdrawals, tax implications, market volatility and longevity risk. Yet many people approach this transition without a clear framework or guiding principles, making it more difficult for them to turn their savings into sustainable income2.

 

“Decumulation is an evolving process. It requires structure, adaptability and ongoing support over a period whose duration no one can predict.”

Dustin Hunt,National Vice-President, Distribution, Group Savings and Retirement

 

In our article Decumulation: Why organizations should care, our experts argue that a product-centric approach is not enough and outline practical ways forward.

 

Read our article

 

Our experts explain that retirement income planning is at the heart of the value provided by group retirement savings plans and that it relies on a set of complementary tools and solutions, including:

  • Financial literacy initiatives
  • Planning and modelling tools
  • Access to personalized financial advice
  • A structured and disciplined approach

 

Want to start the conversation?

By approaching decumulation as a strategic lever that strengthens the financial wellbeing of both individuals and organizations, you can build credibility on a topic that is still poorly understood and add value to your conversations.


“Supporting employees through this transition means offering them support at a time that truly matters.”

François Bertrand‑Fradet, Director, Financial Advice, Investment and Business Data Insights, Group Benefits and Retirement Solutions

 

Supporting retirement readiness during the decumulation phase builds people’s confidence, strengthens the organization’s credibility and fosters relationships that last beyond the employment relationship.

The organizations that will stand out tomorrow are those that understand this today. And those that fail to recognize this may come to regret it later.

 

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1 Helping Canadians Prepare for the Risks of Retirement | Canadian Institute of Actuaries, 2025

2 Retirement: the decumulation challenge | iA Financial Group, 2024

 

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