Pension funds post gains: Statistics Canada

With positive returns across most major asset classes, Canadian pension funds delivered a 6.2% gain in 2025, according to new data from Statistics Canada.

On Wednesday, the national statistical agency reported that the market value of employer pension plans rose by $151.9 billion last year to $2.6 trillion.

Bonds and equities led the way, generating gains of $52.8 billion and $52 billion, respectively. 

The value of “other” assets also gained $30.1 billion during the year, and infrastructure assets gained too, while real estate dropped by $1.8 billion, down 0.7%.

Foreign assets, which represent just more than half of pension funds’ total assets, outpaced domestic categories, Statistics Canada said.

For instance, foreign bonds and equities led the gains — with both categories adding $35.5 billion in value during the year, compared with $17.4 billion for domestic bonds and $16.6 billion in domestic equities.

The returns for public sector pension funds outpaced private sector funds, the national statistical agency reported — with public sector pensions adding $144.9 billion in assets (7.2%), while private sector pensions rose by $7 billion (1.5%).

Additionally, Statistics Canada noted that pension funds posted a 33.6% increase in net income to $45.4 billion for the fourth quarter, as revenues rose much faster than expenses.

James Langton

James is a senior reporter for Advisor.ca and its sister publication, Investment Executive. He has been reporting on regulation, securities law, industry news and more since 1994.