XML 145 R156.htm IDEA: XBRL DOCUMENT
v3.19.3.a.u2

Pension Plans and Other Post-Retirement Benefits - Schedule of Benefit Obligations in Excess of Fair Value of Plan Assets (Details) - CAD ($) $ in Millions | 12 Months Ended
--- | ---
Dec. 31, 2019 | Dec. 31, 2018
Disclosure of defined benefit plans [line items] |  |
Net defined benefit liability (asset) - beginning balance | $ 467 |
Change in defined benefit obligations: |  |
Current service cost | 57 | $ 59
Interest income (cost) | (18) | (22)
Settlement losses (gains) | 1 | 0
Plan amendments | 0 | (1)
Foreign exchange rate movement | 6 | (4)
Change in plan assets: |  |
Administrative expense | (1) | (1)
Return on plan assets (excluding amounts included in net interest expense) | 306 | (156)
Fair value of plan assets | 3,596 | 3,253
Defined benefit (obligation) | (4,084) | (3,720)
Net defined benefit liability (asset) - ending balance | 488 | 467
Pension |  |
Disclosure of defined benefit plans [line items] |  |
Net defined benefit liability (asset) - beginning balance | 205 |
Change in defined benefit obligations: |  |
Current service cost | 52 | 54
Interest income (cost) | (8) | (13)
Settlement losses (gains) | 1 | 0
Plan amendments | 0 | (1)
Foreign exchange rate movement | 2 | (2)
Change in plan assets: |  |
Administrative expense | (1) | (1)
Return on plan assets (excluding amounts included in net interest expense) | 306 | (156)
Fair value of plan assets | 3,596 | 3,253
Defined benefit (obligation) | (3,805) | (3,458)
Net defined benefit liability (asset) - ending balance | 209 | 205
Other post-retirement |  |
Disclosure of defined benefit plans [line items] |  |
Net defined benefit liability (asset) - beginning balance | 262 |
Change in defined benefit obligations: |  |
Current service cost | 5 | 5
Interest income (cost) | (10) | (9)
Settlement losses (gains) | 0 | 0
Plan amendments | 0 | 0
Foreign exchange rate movement | 4 | (2)
Change in plan assets: |  |
Administrative expense | 0 | 0
Return on plan assets (excluding amounts included in net interest expense) | 0 | 0
Fair value of plan assets | 0 | 0
Defined benefit (obligation) | (279) | (262)
Net defined benefit liability (asset) - ending balance | 279 | 262
Present value of defined benefit obligation |  |
Disclosure of defined benefit plans [line items] |  |
Net defined benefit liability (asset) - beginning balance | 3,720 | 3,929
Change in defined benefit obligations: |  |
Current service cost | 57 | 59
Interest income (cost) | (133) | (127)
Actuarial losses (gains) | 380 | (264)
Benefits paid | (172) | (195)
Settlement losses (gains) | 1 | 0
Plan amendments | 0 | (1)
Foreign exchange rate movement | (35) | 65
Change in plan assets: |  |
Net defined benefit liability (asset) - ending balance | 4,084 | 3,720
Present value of defined benefit obligation | Pension |  |
Disclosure of defined benefit plans [line items] |  |
Net defined benefit liability (asset) - beginning balance | 3,458 | 3,661
Change in defined benefit obligations: |  |
Current service cost | 52 | 54
Interest income (cost) | (123) | (118)
Actuarial losses (gains) | 360 | (253)
Benefits paid | (158) | (180)
Settlement losses (gains) | 1 | 0
Plan amendments | 0 | (1)
Foreign exchange rate movement | (31) | 59
Change in plan assets: |  |
Net defined benefit liability (asset) - ending balance | 3,805 | 3,458
Present value of defined benefit obligation | Other post-retirement |  |
Disclosure of defined benefit plans [line items] |  |
Net defined benefit liability (asset) - beginning balance | 262 | 268
Change in defined benefit obligations: |  |
Current service cost | 5 | 5
Interest income (cost) | (10) | (9)
Actuarial losses (gains) | 20 | (11)
Benefits paid | (14) | (15)
Settlement losses (gains) | 0 | 0
Plan amendments | 0 | 0
Foreign exchange rate movement | (4) | 6
Change in plan assets: |  |
Net defined benefit liability (asset) - ending balance | 279 | 262
Plan assets |  |
Disclosure of defined benefit plans [line items] |  |
Net defined benefit liability (asset) - beginning balance | (3,253) | (3,301)
Change in defined benefit obligations: |  |
Interest income (cost) | 115 | 105
Benefits paid | (172) | (195)
Foreign exchange rate movement | (30) | 57
Change in plan assets: |  |
Administrative expense | (1) | (1)
Return on plan assets (excluding amounts included in net interest expense) | 306 | (156)
Employer contributions | 125 | 142
Net defined benefit liability (asset) - ending balance | (3,596) | (3,253)
Plan assets | Pension |  |
Disclosure of defined benefit plans [line items] |  |
Net defined benefit liability (asset) - beginning balance | (3,253) | (3,301)
Change in defined benefit obligations: |  |
Interest income (cost) | 115 | 105
Benefits paid | (158) | (180)
Foreign exchange rate movement | (30) | 57
Change in plan assets: |  |
Administrative expense | (1) | (1)
Return on plan assets (excluding amounts included in net interest expense) | 306 | (156)
Employer contributions | 111 | 127
Net defined benefit liability (asset) - ending balance | (3,596) | (3,253)
Plan assets | Other post-retirement |  |
Disclosure of defined benefit plans [line items] |  |
Net defined benefit liability (asset) - beginning balance | 0 | 0
Change in defined benefit obligations: |  |
Interest income (cost) | 0 | 0
Benefits paid | (14) | (15)
Foreign exchange rate movement | 0 | 0
Change in plan assets: |  |
Administrative expense | 0 | 0
Return on plan assets (excluding amounts included in net interest expense) | 0 | 0
Employer contributions | 14 | 15
Net defined benefit liability (asset) - ending balance | $ 0 | $ 0

X
- Definition The decrease (increase) in net defined benefit liability (asset) resulting from contributions to a defined benefit plan by the employer. [Refer: Net defined benefit liability (asset); Defined benefit plans [member]] + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef -Name IAS -Number 19 -IssueDate 2019-01-01 -Paragraph 141 -Subparagraph f -URI http://eifrs.ifrs.org/eifrs/xifrs-link?type=IAS&num=19&code=ifrs-tx-2019-en-r&anchor=para_141_f&doctype=Standard -URIDate 2019-03-27 + Details
Name: | ifrs-full_ContributionsToPlanByEmployerNetDefinedBenefitLiabilityAsset
Namespace Prefix: | ifrs-full_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | debit
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition The increase (decrease) in the net defined benefit liability (asset) resulting from employee service in the current period. [Refer: Net defined benefit liability (asset)] + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef -Name IAS -Number 19 -IssueDate 2019-01-01 -Paragraph 141 -Subparagraph a -URI http://eifrs.ifrs.org/eifrs/xifrs-link?type=IAS&num=19&code=ifrs-tx-2019-en-r&anchor=para_141_a&doctype=Standard -URIDate 2019-03-27 + Details
Name: | ifrs-full_CurrentServiceCostNetDefinedBenefitLiabilityAsset
Namespace Prefix: | ifrs-full_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | credit
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition The present value, without deducting any plan assets, of expected future payments required to settle the obligation resulting from employee service in the current and prior periods. [Refer: Plan assets, at fair value] + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2009/role/commonPracticeRef -Name IAS -Number 19 -IssueDate 2019-01-01 -Paragraph 57 -Subparagraph a -URI http://eifrs.ifrs.org/eifrs/xifrs-link?type=IAS&num=19&code=ifrs-tx-2019-en-r&anchor=para_57_a&doctype=Standard -URIDate 2019-03-27 + Details
Name: | ifrs-full_DefinedBenefitObligationAtPresentValue
Namespace Prefix: | ifrs-full_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | credit
Period Type: | instant

X
- Definition Line items represent concepts included in a table. These concepts are used to disclose reportable information associated with domain members defined in one or many axes of the table. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | ifrs-full_DisclosureOfDefinedBenefitPlansLineItems
Namespace Prefix: | ifrs-full_
Data Type: | xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition The decrease (increase) in a net defined benefit liability (asset) resulting from the remeasurement of that net defined benefit liability (asset). [Refer: Net defined benefit liability (asset)] + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef -Name IAS -Number 19 -IssueDate 2019-01-01 -Paragraph 141 -Subparagraph c -URI http://eifrs.ifrs.org/eifrs/xifrs-link?type=IAS&num=19&code=ifrs-tx-2019-en-r&anchor=para_141_c&doctype=Standard -URIDate 2019-03-27 + Details
Name: | ifrs-full_GainLossOnRemeasurementOfNetDefinedBenefitLiabilityAsset
Namespace Prefix: | ifrs-full_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | debit
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition The decrease (increase) in the net defined benefit liability (asset) resulting from settlements. Settlements are transactions that eliminate all further legal or constructive obligations for part or all of the benefits provided under a defined benefit plan, other than a payment of benefits to, or on behalf of, employees that is set out in the terms of the plan and included in the actuarial assumptions. [Refer: Net defined benefit liability (asset); Defined benefit plans [member]; Actuarial assumptions [member]] + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef -Name IAS -Number 19 -IssueDate 2019-01-01 -Paragraph 141 -Subparagraph d -URI http://eifrs.ifrs.org/eifrs/xifrs-link?type=IAS&num=19&code=ifrs-tx-2019-en-r&anchor=para_141_d&doctype=Standard -URIDate 2019-03-27 + Details
Name: | ifrs-full_GainsLossesArisingFromSettlementsNetDefinedBenefitLiabilityAsset
Namespace Prefix: | ifrs-full_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | debit
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition The increase (decrease) in the net defined benefit liability (asset) resulting from changes in foreign exchange rates. [Refer: Net defined benefit liability (asset)] + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef -Name IAS -Number 19 -IssueDate 2019-01-01 -Paragraph 141 -Subparagraph e -URI http://eifrs.ifrs.org/eifrs/xifrs-link?type=IAS&num=19&code=ifrs-tx-2019-en-r&anchor=para_141_e&doctype=Standard -URIDate 2019-03-27 + Details
Name: | ifrs-full_IncreaseDecreaseThroughChangesInForeignExchangeRatesNetDefinedBenefitLiabilityAsset
Namespace Prefix: | ifrs-full_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | credit
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition The increase (decrease) in the net defined benefit liability (asset) resulting from the passage of time. [Refer: Interest expense; Net defined benefit liability (asset)] + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef -Name IAS -Number 19 -IssueDate 2019-01-01 -Paragraph 141 -Subparagraph b -URI http://eifrs.ifrs.org/eifrs/xifrs-link?type=IAS&num=19&code=ifrs-tx-2019-en-r&anchor=para_141_b&doctype=Standard -URIDate 2019-03-27 + Details
Name: | ifrs-full_InterestExpenseIncomeNetDefinedBenefitLiabilityAsset
Namespace Prefix: | ifrs-full_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | credit
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition The amount of deficit or surplus in a defined benefit plan, adjusted for any effect of limiting a net defined benefit asset to the asset ceiling. [Refer: Defined benefit plans [member]] + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef -Name IAS -Number 19 -IssueDate 2019-01-01 -Paragraph 140 -Subparagraph a -URI http://eifrs.ifrs.org/eifrs/xifrs-link?type=IAS&num=19&code=ifrs-tx-2019-en-r&anchor=para_140_a&doctype=Standard -URIDate 2019-03-27 + Details
Name: | ifrs-full_LiabilityAssetOfDefinedBenefitPlans
Namespace Prefix: | ifrs-full_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | credit
Period Type: | instant

X
- Definition The decrease (increase) in the net defined benefit liability (asset) resulting from payments from the plan in respect of settlements. [Refer: Gains (losses) arising from settlements, net defined benefit liability (asset); Net defined benefit liability (asset); Defined benefit plans [member]] + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef -Name IAS -Number 19 -IssueDate 2019-01-01 -Paragraph 141 -Subparagraph g -URI http://eifrs.ifrs.org/eifrs/xifrs-link?type=IAS&num=19&code=ifrs-tx-2019-en-r&anchor=para_141_g&doctype=Standard -URIDate 2019-03-27 + Details
Name: | ifrs-full_PaymentsInRespectOfSettlementsNetDefinedBenefitLiabilityAsset
Namespace Prefix: | ifrs-full_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | debit
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition The fair value of defined benefit plan assets. Plan assets comprise assets held by a long-term employee benefit fund and qualifying insurance policies. [Refer: At fair value [member]] + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2009/role/commonPracticeRef -Name IAS -Number 19 -IssueDate 2019-01-01 -Paragraph 57 -Subparagraph a -URI http://eifrs.ifrs.org/eifrs/xifrs-link?type=IAS&num=19&code=ifrs-tx-2019-en-r&anchor=para_57_a&doctype=Standard -URIDate 2019-03-27 + Details
Name: | ifrs-full_PlanAssetsAtFairValue
Namespace Prefix: | ifrs-full_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | debit
Period Type: | instant

X
- Definition The decrease (increase) in the net defined benefit liability (asset) resulting from the return on plan assets, excluding amounts included in interest income or expense. The return on plans assets is interest, dividends and other revenue derived from the plan assets, together with realised and unrealised gains or losses on the plan assets, less any costs of managing plan assets and less any tax payable by the plan itself, other than tax included in the actuarial assumptions used to measure the present value of the defined benefit obligation. [Refer: Plan assets [member]; Net defined benefit liability (asset); Actuarial assumptions [member]; Interest expense (income), net defined benefit liability (asset)] + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef -Name IAS -Number 19 -IssueDate 2019-01-01 -Paragraph 141 -Subparagraph c -Clause i -URI http://eifrs.ifrs.org/eifrs/xifrs-link?type=IAS&num=19&code=ifrs-tx-2019-en-r&anchor=para_141_c_i&doctype=Standard -URIDate 2019-03-27 + Details
Name: | ifrs-full_ReturnOnPlanAssetsNetDefinedBenefitLiabilityAsset
Namespace Prefix: | ifrs-full_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | debit
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition Administrative Expenses, Net Defined Benefit Liability (Asset) + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | slf_AdministrativeExpensesNetDefinedBenefitLiabilityAsset
Namespace Prefix: | slf_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | credit
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition Defined Benefit Obligations [Roll Forward] + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | slf_DefinedBenefitObligationsRollForward
Namespace Prefix: | slf_
Data Type: | xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition Defined Benefit Plan Assets [Roll Forward] + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | slf_DefinedBenefitPlanAssetsRollForward
Namespace Prefix: | slf_
Data Type: | xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition Plan Amendment, Net Defined Benefit Liability (Asset) + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | slf_PlanAmendmentNetDefinedBenefitLiabilityAsset
Namespace Prefix: | slf_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | credit
Period Type: | duration

X
- Details
Name: | ifrs-full_DefinedBenefitPlansAxis=slf_PensionPlansDefinedBenefit1Member
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |

X
- Details
Name: | ifrs-full_DefinedBenefitPlansAxis=slf_OtherPostretirementBenefitsPlan1Member
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |

X
- Details
Name: | ifrs-full_NetDefinedBenefitLiabilityAssetAxis=ifrs-full_PresentValueOfDefinedBenefitObligationMember
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |

X
- Details
Name: | ifrs-full_NetDefinedBenefitLiabilityAssetAxis=ifrs-full_PlanAssetsMember
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |