Heads-up: Addition of Sun Life Granite Index+ Target Date Funds to the Core investment platform

January 22, 2026

Plan sponsors may wish to consider whether this investment news has any implications for the investment options available within their plans. Sun Life Assurance Company of Canada purchases units of the funds listed below, which are established as segregated funds in accordance with the Insurance Companies Act (Canada). 

This is a heads-up communication of a new platform addition in May 2026*. You don’t need to take any immediate action as a result of this announcement.

Sun Life Group Retirement Services (GRS) is pleased to announce the upcoming addition of the Sun Life Granite Index+ Target Date Segregated Funds (Granite Index+ Funds). Sun Life Global Investments (SLGI) will launch the Granite Index+ Funds in May 2026*. Given the importance of target date funds in Capital Accumulation Plans, we’re providing this update ahead of their official launch on the platform. We’ll provide more details closer to when the Granite Index+ Funds become available.

About the Granite Index+ Funds

SLGI’s Multi-Asset Solutions (MAS) team manages the Granite Index+ Funds. The MAS team also manages the Sun Life Granite Target Date and Sun Life Granite Multi-Risk Target Date Funds. 

The Granite Index+ Funds invest primarily in passive equity and fixed income funds, as well as a commodities exchange traded fund (ETF). The “+” component refers to an allocation to private asset classes, such as private fixed income, commercial mortgages and global direct real estate. SLGI believes that the alternative assets can help to provide higher yields, diversification, and downside protection. The combination of passive strategies and private market access in the Granite Index+ Funds will help plan members achieve broad diversification at a low fee.

The Granite Index+ Funds’ glidepath will be the same as the existing Sun Life Granite Target Date Funds and Granite Multi Risk Target Date Funds, with a moderate risk profile. The glidepath has a target equity allocation of 93% for long-dated vintages and 41.5% for the Retirement fund. Granite Index+ will have nine fund vintages (Retirement and 2030 – 2065, in 5-year increments).

The Granite Index+ Funds will invest approximately 90% in passive (index) strategies and 10% in active strategies (including the + component). By comparison, the existing Granite Target Date funds invest approximately 70% active and 30% passive (index).

Target Date funds available on the Sun Life Platform

Given the prominence of Target Date Funds in the Canadian Capital Accumulation Plan space, we take pride in providing choice for plan sponsors and their members. With this addition, we now offer eight target date fund options on the platform, as follows:

  • BlackRock LifePath® Index
  • MFS LifePlan Retirement
  • TD Greystone Target Date Plus
  • Sun Life Granite Target Date (Traditional, Multi-Risk & Index +)
  • Fidelity ClearPath (Institutional & Index Plus)

Do you have to take any action?

You don’t need to take any action. You may consider whether the new Granite Index+ funds are suitable for your plan. The GRS Investment Solutions team, in partnership with your consultant or advisor, can help with a review of target date options available on our platform.

We will provide a follow-up communication with more details on the Funds, closer to their launch date in spring of 2026. 

Questions? 

Please contact your Sun Life Group Retirement Services representative.

* Date subject to change.