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 […]
The Three Levels of Retirement Resources
A survey conducted by a big bank some years ago* revealed that over 30% of Canadians were hoping for a lottery win to help fund their retirement. This raises the question, “If you were to paint a picture of your retirement, what would it look like?” Many would let dreams take over and envision lots […]
Retirement Investing Approaches
After spending likely 15 – 30 years focused on building an investment portfolio, it can be quite a challenge to switch gears when it comes time to withdrawing income from a retirement portfolio. This change leads to new ways of looking at investing as well as re-assessing habits that have been honed over decades. Many […]
What You Don’t Know Could Cost You
The age old saying, ‘Ignorance is bliss’, may apply to many things in life. However, when it comes to your finances, ignorance can be absolutely devastating. Even the government is calling the startling low rate of financial literacy among Canadians an epidemic that can have catastrophic consequences for the nation’s economic future. A lack of […]
Registered Retirement Income Funds
It is required by the Income Tax Act that a Registered Retirement Savings Plan (RRSP) must be closed by the end of the year in which the planholder (annuitant) reaches age 71. At that time, the annuitant must decide what to do with their retirement savings. They have three options – cash in the RRSP, […]
Finding the Right Retirement Location
Grant and Sarah are planning on retiring within the next two years. Paul and Linda, already retired, are thinking about making a move. Whether you are about to retire or are already retired and considering a change, you should consider: Where you want to retire is one of the biggest decisions you will make. Do […]
Too Much Life at the End of the Money
You have probably heard the phrase; too much month left at the end of the money. Paying for housing, groceries, fuel, utilities and various child rearing expenses, although very necessary, can put a huge strain on a family when outlays sometimes exceed your income. Fortunately, this is usually only a temporary hiccup in most people’s […]
Should You Move in Retirement?
Many people look forward to retiring, and going to live beside a golf course, on the coast, or somewhere else where they have always dreamt of. It’s enticing to think that your leisure time can be spent pursuing activities you have worked and longed for all your life. In fact, whole retirement communities are set […]
How to Get the Most from Your RRSP
Introduced in 1957, the Registered Retirement Savings Plan (RRSP) is an incentive program to entice the Canadian population to save for retirement. In order to get the most from this type of savings vehicle, it is essential to plan future investments and avoid panicking to meet deadlines or taking action without fully understanding the long-term […]