Few workplace topics make Canadians more uneasy than what happens to employees in the later stages of their careers.
Fortunately, some employers are taking a proactive approach—helping employees plan for life after work while ensuring their skills remain sharp for as long as possible. That’s the focus of this year’s Top Employers for Canadians Over 40, announced today by Mediacorp Canada Inc., the organizers behind Canada’s Top 100 Employers project.
This annual competition, now in its 24th year, recognizes organizations across Canada that lead the nation in creating programs and benefits of special interest to employees aged 40 and older.
Behind the Scenes: Selection Criteria
Organized by the editors of Canada's Top 100 Employers, this competition evaluates organizations on eight key criteria, including retirement planning, mentorship, and recruitment of experienced workers.
Employers are assessed on initiatives such as supporting older employees through upskilling, phased retirement, pension contributions, and post-retirement benefits. The competition uniquely focuses on helping employees transition toward retirement while passing on their expertise. Each year, the editors publish detailed reasons for selection, and any Canadian employer—public or private—can apply.
"One of the great unresolved questions of our society is who takes care of employees after their working careers have come to an end," asks Anthony Meehan, publisher at Mediacorp.
"It isn't hard to make the moral case that, after employees have given their working lives to an employer, there should be a corresponding duty on the employer's part to assist the same employees when they're no longer able to work. Helping employees save for life after work, through a formal pension plan or matching RSP contributions, takes effort and planning – but the employers selected for this year's Top Employers for Canadians Over 40 list are showing the way."
2025 Winners: Top Employers for Canadians over 40
This year's winners showcase the diverse sectors and industries that prioritize the well-being and growth of their employees over 40. Among the distinguished list are:
- Carleton University - Offers retiring employees the benefit of staying enrolled in the university's health benefits plan with full premium coverage and no age limit.
- CIBC - Provides a variety of financial planning tools and resources, including access to the bank's financial advisors and planning consultants, to help increase financial literacy.
- The Co-operators Group Limited - Offers generous coverage for mental health care of up to $5,000 per year and enables employees to top up health and dental coverage with a health spending account of $500 annually.
- Employment and Social Development Canada - Encourages employees to prepare for the future with pre-retirement workshops, with info on financial planning, health and nutrition and psychological aspects of retirement.
- Enbridge Inc. - Helps employees shore up long-term savings with the option to participate in a group savings plan, with contributions matched by the company.
- Export Development Canada - Maintains a flexible health benefits plan, enabling employees to transfer unused credits to savings or exchanged for additional time off.
- EY - Offers working parents a child care subsidy that covers 100 hours of subsidized in-home or centre-based backup care.
- Procter & Gamble Inc. - Through the formal Workways flexible work program, employees have the option to work from anywhere in Canada and other locations around the world.
- Toyota Motor Manufacturing Canada Inc. / TMMC - Provides employees and their family members with free access to its on-site fitness facility, featuring a full gymnasium and squash, racquetball and pickle ball courts.
- Vancouver City Savings Credit Union - Helps employees plan securely for the future with generous contributions to a defined benefit pension plan and health benefits that extend to retirees.
By recognizing employers that support experienced workers in staying engaged, growing their skills, and planning for the future, this competition highlights the importance of fostering inclusive workplaces where careers can thrive at every stage.
