Benefits While plans and policies differ internationally according to local market practice, legislative and insurance norms and available products, benefit offerings aim to satisfy the following goals: ■■ Be compliant in each region ■■ Be competitive, aligning the benefit program (as a whole) with the local market ■■ Be risk/cost-effective with employee partnership, including cost sharing to foster employee responsibility and promote sustainability ■■ Provide catastrophic support, integrating Scotiabank plans with personal, spousal and government benefit programs to offer medical and financial relief from catastrophic loss due to illness, injury and death ■■ Incorporate wellness as a means of encouraging good health ■■ Ensure high provider standards by requiring service standard minimums and strong administration and adjudication practices.