How to go about securing the best Retirement Plan in Canada.
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When are TFSAs and RRSPs actually taxable? + MORE Feb 29th
Ask MoneySense
I saw your blog online; thank you so much for the wonderful job that you are doing—it was very informative! That motivated me to start investing too, but now I have a couple of questions. I understand that there is tax on U.S. dividends in TFSA. Do we pay tax as well when we sell:
.... More »
Making sense of the markets this week: July 3 + MORE Jul 6th
While regular “Making sense of the markets” columnist Kyle Prevost is on vacation, Dale Roberts and I are filling in. Dale’s piece ran last week, and it’s my turn this week. Dale will return next week, after which a well-rested Kyle will resume.
Speaking of Dale, this week he wrote .... More »
Université de Moncton: The new seniors on campus + MORE Feb 10th
Nursing student Danielle Theriault, left, works with a patient at the Université de Moncton’s Ecole de Science Infirmiere. (Photograph by Darren Calabrese)
Every September, university campuses spring back to life as students move into their dorms and classes get underwa.... More »
3 sectors to consider investing in when the stock market is volatile May 3rd
If you’re retired or nearing retirement, or you’re a younger investor who wants stability in your portfolio, where should you consider investing when financial markets are suffering? Three sectors stand out for their relative stability in tough times: health care, utilities and brand leaders. He.... More »
Why the $35,000 RRSP Home Buyers’ Plan won’t be much help Mar 31st
It’s been about a week since federal budget day and I still have questions about some of the things the government announced. For instance, why did they introduce a deferred annuity, which will allow Canadians to put 25% of their RRSP or RRIF into an annuity that must start paying out by 85 at the.... More »
REIT investing: The risks of chasing returns
– moneysense.ca
Q: My wife and I are both retired. She is 70 and I am 76. Our residential house is paid off and so is our rental condominium which gives us a net income of about $5,000. We have cash investments of about $650,000 at a financial institution which has not done well the past year, giving a return of below 1% for the year, but has somewhat improved.
My RRIF of about $300,000 has done well in a private REIT. The returns are very good. My wife has her RRSP there as well and we plan on converting that to RRIF next year and stay with the same REIT. We recently transferred our TFSA there. In total we have about $850,000 in Private REITs. They return on average 8% not including the rise in unit value of the shares.
Is this worrisome? What should I do differently?
—K
A: Thanks for your question, K. I have a few thoughts I’ll share.
First, I want to point out a fundamental investment error I see people make with their Registered Retirement Income Funds (RRIFs). The minimum withdrawals at your age 76 is 5…
Morneau Shepell defends its dealings with Ottawa amid minister’s controversy
– canadianbusiness.com
The human resources and pension management firm at the centre of the conflict-of-interest controversy raging around Finance Minister Bill Morneau has itself joined the debate.
In a statement today, Morneau Shepell is refuting opposition claims that it has benefited from having its former executive chairman sitting at the Liberal cabinet table.
Political rivals have called on the federal ethics watchdog to investigate Morneau for spearheading pension reform legislation that could benefit Morneau Shepell and, through his personal holdings, the minister himself.
But the company says it wasn’t consulted on Bill C-27, even though it has stated its support for the concepts in the proposed legislation.
Morneau Shepell also says it wouldn’t expect to see a benefit from Bill C-27, since it would simply give federally regulated pension plans the option to use target-benefit plans, but not require them to do so.
The company also responded to media reports that suggest Morneau Shepell obtained and renewed contracts with the federal government after the Liberals won power…
In a statement today, Morneau Shepell is refuting opposition claims that it has benefited from having its former executive chairman sitting at the Liberal cabinet table.
Political rivals have called on the federal ethics watchdog to investigate Morneau for spearheading pension reform legislation that could benefit Morneau Shepell and, through his personal holdings, the minister himself.
But the company says it wasn’t consulted on Bill C-27, even though it has stated its support for the concepts in the proposed legislation.
Morneau Shepell also says it wouldn’t expect to see a benefit from Bill C-27, since it would simply give federally regulated pension plans the option to use target-benefit plans, but not require them to do so.
The company also responded to media reports that suggest Morneau Shepell obtained and renewed contracts with the federal government after the Liberals won power…
The current plight of Sears Canada retirees has left many wondering why some pension plans are underfunded, why they are not given priority in the event of a bankruptcy and what could be done to better protect pensioners under the law.
The human resources and pension management firm at the centre of the conflict-of-interest controversy raging around Finance Minister Bill Morneau has itself joined the debate.
