One of the greatest challenges for employers who offer group retirement plans is getting their employees to take action. Sun Life Financial Inc. (TSX:SLF) is rolling out a wireless solution to make the enrolment process easier.

Too often employees attend enrolment sessions, walk away with forms and enrolment instructions and the best of intentions, but then don’t enroll. With Sun Life’s new wireless enrolment program, employees will be able to enroll on the spot using Research in Motion’s new BlackBerry Playbook.

“Our vision is to make the enrolment process as simple and easy as possible,” says Tom Reid, senior vice president of group retirement services at Sun Life Financial. “Employees who attend enrolment sessions will each have access to a BlackBerry PlayBook. Our education specialists will take them through the plan design, explain the benefits and walk them through the enrolment process. They will be able to use the PlayBook to instantly input all enrolment data.”

When the employee hits “Submit” at the end of the process, the data will be transmitted wirelessly and securely to Sun Life systems for direct processing.

In the U.S., where wireless enrolment has recently been introduced, it has increased registration rates up to 90%, compared to typical sign-up rates closer to 50% with more traditional methods.

“Saving for the future is a positive financial step, and employees know it,” says Reid. “Wireless enrolment allows employees to take immediate action through a very simple process.”

IE