Desjardins Financial Security’s (DFS) education program for group retirement savings participants approaching retirement won an award of excellence at the 2006 Insurance & Financial Communicators Association (IFCA) Awards Competition. The judges commented on the originality and effectiveness of the concept.

Eric Filion, senior director, product development and marketing, savings for groups and businesses at DFS, said he is very proud of this award. “All our education programs are designed to make plan participant information relevant and easy to understand. By offering plan participants support and guidance, we hope to make them proactive about effective planning for their retirement. We’re very proud of the recognition we’ve received for our work; it confirms we’re on the right track,” he explained.

The program — Destination – Take Control of Your Retirement — is an integrated module of the Setting Sail for the Future education and retirement planning program. It is offered exclusively to DFS group retirement savings clients.

Its purpose is to support plan participants approaching retirement by giving them access to a wide range of products, services and tools designed specifically for their needs. Last year, Setting Sail for the Future received a Best of Show award in the “Group Benefits and Pensions – Integrated Campaign” category.

In all, Desjardins collected seven communications awards at the 2006 IFCA Awards Competition, including four awards of excellence and three honourable mentions.

The IFCA is an association of 750 communicators from over 225 life and health insurance and financial services companies in Canada and the United States. The 2006 awards will be presented at the IFCA annual meeting to be held from October 15 to 18 in Banff.