Sudden Wealth: Choices and Opportunities
Okay, let’s talk about what happens if you suddenly find yourself a million dollars richer. Imagine an inheritance or maybe you invented the next big thing. It’s a life-changer, right? Suddenly, early retirement isn’t just a dream, it’s a possibility. But here’s the catch: a lot of people who suddenly come into money aren’t prepared […]
The Retirement Dilemma: Part 2
In retirement, most people aim for financial security—but rising costs can make that harder than expected. Let’s talk about it. Many seniors prefer to invest in “safe” options, but here’s the reality: your expenses don’t stay the same. Costs like hydro bills, property taxes, and healthcare typically climb year after year. So, what’s the plan? […]
More Overlooked RRSP Tricks
More than 65% of Canadians have made deposits to Registered Retirement Savings Plans (RRSPs). Many do so just for the tax savings, but here are some often overlooked tricks you should be aware of: RRSP loans – Those who use investment funds for their RRSPs should be well aware of the strategy of ‘buying low and […]
Weighing the Cost of Your Retirement Dreams
We all know how easy it is to romanticize our retirement years. Many of us make lengthy lists of things we will do and experience in those golden years. We have little doubt about our ability to enjoy the perfect blend of leisure and excitement, which is what makes the very idea of retirement seem […]
Estimating Retirement Expenses
By far one of the most crucial financial strategy steps is accurately estimating retirement expenses. Correctly accounting for retirement living expenses is critical to ensuring that retirees do not outlive their money. For those already retired, there are usually few good options for creating new income sources later in life. Getting retirement spending projections correct […]
You’ve Retired. Now What?
Canadians are living longer, healthier lives. According to Statistics Canada (2018), the average life expectancy is 80 years for men and 84 years for women. This means your retirement years may almost equal your working ones. Family therapist Rhonda Katz suggests taking some time before retirement to identify what you find enjoyable in life and […]
What’s Your Retirement Planning Mindset?
Recent studies * reveal that a large majority of so-called Baby Boomers are uncertain about their preparation for retirement. Arguably, the have it my way generation did not all follow in their parents’ footsteps when it came to saving for the future. As well, some major bumps along the way (a housing crisis, a stock […]
Maximizing Your Retirement
Bob and Lisa are wondering just how their retirement will turn out. After all that’s happened over the past few years, their RRSP accounts haven’t grown as much as they had expected. Even in the best of times, they weren’t saving as much as they could have been, at least for all their post-retirement desires. […]
CPP at 60? Pros and Cons
As individuals approach retirement, they must decide when to start receiving their Canada Pension Plan (CPP) payments. While the standard age to begin receiving CPP payments is 65, it is possible to start as early as age 60 or delay until age 70. This decision should never be taken lightly, as it can significantly impact […]
How to Get Income Out of Your RRSPs
Roger and Linda, like many Canadians, have saved for years for their retirement. They took advantage of RRSPs and now have a substantial amount of savings. As Roger will turn age 71 this year, they need to decide on the best strategy for using their RRSPs for their retirement income needs. Until now, Roger […]
Retirement Income Planning: Simplified
Retirement is a significant life event that requires careful planning and preparation. One of the most important aspects of retirement planning is figuring out how to generate income during your post-work years. In this article, we will discuss some wise retirement income strategies that can help you make the most of your retirement savings. […]
Are you a Retirement Savings Late Starter?
Harry and Sally both earned high incomes and liked to live the good life. They leased higher end European cars, took two-week exotic vacations almost every year, and lived in a house much larger than they truly needed. To accomplish this lifestyle, they put off retirement savings. Now in their forties, Harry and Sally are […]
Are You Ready to Retire?
According to a 2022 survey,1 only 35% of Canadians aged 50 and older feel they’re financially ready to retire. Sixty-two percent report being unprepared or unsure if they have the resources. In a similar survey, Bromwich+Smith and Advisorsavvy2 report that 71% worry they will never be able to save enough to retire comfortably. Sixty-two percent […]
RRSP Deadline Approaching!
Once again, it is that time of year when Canadians turn their attention to make their tax-deductible pension contributions to their RRSP. The word “pension” is used deliberately to emphasize that the whole point of RRSPs and other savings methods is to build savings over time to replace earned income with passive or pension income […]
Lifestyle Choices Can Secure Your Retirement
For many nearing retirement, lifestyle choices become more significant in determining their comfort level for the rest of their lives. They must decide whether it is better to make some of those choices now or have their circumstances force lifestyle changes later in retirement. That’s the dilemma faced by many people who have come to […]
What makes a good financial strategy?
When you’re going on a journey, there are three essential questions to ensure you have a great trip. How will I get there? How much will it cost? How will I deal with the unexpected? Answering these questions thoughtfully will allow for a more pleasant trip. A written financial strategy serves the same purpose in […]
Your Retirement Plan: Staying The Course
During the past several months, a few clients have expressed concerns about world events and the potential impact on their investments. Concerns cited have included the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war, rising interest rates, inflation, recession, and weak economic news and so on. If you have questions about current economic news this is a good opportunity to […]
Pros and Cons of Annuities
With the turbulent times we have been experiencing in the markets, more people are considering annuities to ensure a certain income in their retirement years. It might not suit everybody to put some of their funds into annuities, and there is always the question of how much do you invest in them. There is no […]
Reading the Economic Tea Leaves
An important retirement planning skill is having the ability to “sniff out” the future direction of various factors, such as inflation and interest rates for their potential impact on future household spending and savings efforts. “Reading the tea leaves” is a folk lore expression related to the practice of attempting to divine the future from […]
Building Wealth in Your 50s and Beyond
If you’re in your 50s, and thinking about your financial future makes you anxious, you’re not alone. 70% of Canadians are worried they won’t have enough money to retire1. While you can’t go back in time to save more or spend less, it’s not too late to get started. Even if you’ve been saving diligently, […]
Optimizing Your RRIF
Registered Retirement Income Funds (RRIFs) are one method of drawing an income from Registered Retirement Savings Plans (RRSPs) in retirement. There are a few things to consider to get the best value from your retirement savings with RRIFs. For many Canadians, RRSP savings will be the major source of their retirement income. The main concern […]
Getting Back to Basics
Recessions, stock-market declines, housing market bubbles, joblessness and, most recently, a global pandemic have created a series of challenges for people trying to start, grow or maintain a retirement savings plan. Given this rollercoaster, it’s natural to wonder if you’re doing all you can to protect your retirement nest egg. Taking a “back to basics” […]
Preparing for Retirement? Learn How RRIFs Work
If you’ve been contributing to a pension or Registered Retirement Savings Plan (RRSP) and retirement or your 71st birthday is around the corner, you’re required to convert that nest egg into a Registered Retirement Income Fund (RRIF). This benefits you because an RRIF allows you to withdraw savings as income while still letting you grow […]
Your TFSA in 2021. What Can You Contribute?
When it comes to flexible investment tools, there’s nothing quite like a Tax-Free Savings Account (TFSA). This registered account allows you to hold not just savings but also investment equities like stocks, bonds, mutual funds and GICs. All of your investments grow tax-free in a TFSA. What’s even better? You’re not taxed when you make […]
Many Canadians Unaware of Retirement Needs
It appears that while many Canadians faithfully invest funds into their workplace retirement plans they are somewhat lackadaisical when it comes to determining their retirement needs as well as measuring their progress towards those needs. In a survey conducted by Ipsos Reid in February 2015*, it was found that only 50 percent of Canadians are […]
Economic Crisis Teaches Important Lessons
If any good can come from an economic downturn it is that people are forced to think more seriously about their financial success strategy. Many people affected by the economic damage wrought by the recent COVID-19 pandemic will change their financial habits by cutting back on spending, reducing debt and increasing their savings. But, for […]
When Should I Start Receiving CPP?
If you apply on your 60th birthday, you’ll get about 36% less of the age 65 monthly pension. But, if you wait until you’re 70, you’ll get about 42% more. Should you hold out for the higher income, or start early? Start early and you’re sure to get it. If you wait, and die before […]
Healthcare and Retirement
We are all familiar with the following perennial adage: “health is wealth”. Regardless of any financial circumstances you may have, optimum health allows you to enjoy long trips overseas, partake in your grandchildren’s life, physical activities such as golf as well as looking forward to your retirement years. No one wants to have to worry […]
Inheritance Doesn’t Have to Wait
The Baby Boomers are making history as the largest retirement migration ever seen. However, it’s their parents who hold the most massive accumulation of wealth which is now being transfered to future generations. Estimated to be well in excess of a trillion dollars, the traditional rules of inheritance are changing. More than half of Baby […]
Overlooked RRSP Strategies
There are a number of common RRSP strategies that many of us use on a regular basis. These include making regular monthly deposits, borrowing to make RRSP contributions and making contributions at the beginning of the year instead of the end of the year. Here are some strategies that may get overlooked: Take advantage of […]
