Staff Winnipeg-based Great-West Lifeco Inc.’s (GWL) earnings surged in the fourth quarter, the company announced on Wednesday. GWL reported net earnings attributable to common shareholders of $912 million in Q4, up from $513 million a year ago and $826 million the previous quarter. On Dec. 31, GWL subsidiary Great-West Life & Annuity, through its Empower Retirement business, closed its US$2.3-billion acquisition of Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company (MassMutual), making Empower Retirement the second-largest retirement services provider in the U.S. based on assets under administration. GWL’s assets under administration were $2 trillion at the end of Q4, up 21% from a year ago thanks in large part to the MassMutual acquisition.