All about Retirement Planning in Canada. Learn the ins and outs and get the latest news.
Latest News
How much are withholding taxes on RRSPs and RRIFs? Jun 15th
I need to withdraw $6,600 from my RRIF over the next six months. This amount is in addition to my annual minimum. If I do the withdrawals in six monthly amounts of $1,100 (total of $6,600), will the tax withholding rate be 10% on each $1,100, or will it be a higher rate on the total $6,600 over the .... More »
How to deal with your finances when the economy is stressing you out + MORE Mar 7th
Who would have thought that just a few month ago, all we had to “worry” about was the ongoing pandemic, high interest and inflation rates, and high grocery and housing costs. We’re three months into 2025 and so far we’ve had tariffs on Canadian goods threatened in February, then actual tarif.... More »
Stock news for investors: Groupe Dynamite and Empire Co. release earnings + MORE Jun 20th
Here’s a round-up of news for Canadian investors this week.
Groupe Dynamite
Empire Co.
Featured RRSP Accounts
featured
EQ Bank
Build your retirement savings with 2.00% interes.... More »
“We’re well off in retirement. How can we pay less tax?” + MORE Aug 29th
Ask MoneySense
Both my wife and I are retired. My wife is 72 years old and I am 68. Our combined incomes are based on CPP, OAS, RRIFs and dividends (both from our non-registered investments portfolio and corporate dividends that we both get quarterly from a holding company that manages the corporat.... More »
How to avoid tax-payment nightmares when RRIF withdrawals start Sep 29th
One thing salaried employees take for granted is the automatic deduction of taxes “at source.” They receive their regular paycheque with “net” or after-tax deposits that go directly into their bank accounts. The consolation is that come tax time there should be no unpleasant surprises in the.... More »
How annuities can beef up retirement cash flow
– moneysense.ca
Many fixed-income investors are acquainted with the concept of “laddering,” whether it be ladders of guaranteed investment certificates (GICs), or bonds with different maturities. Maturity dates are staggered over (typically) one to five years, so each year some money comes due and can be reinvested at prevailing interest rates. This minimizes the likelihood of investing the whole amount at what may turn out to be rock-bottom interest rates, only to watch helplessly as rates steadily rise over time. Buyer’s remorse results: “Why didn’t I wait to invest?”
The same applies when it comes time for retirees or near-retirees to annuitize. At the end of the year you turn 71 you must decide whether to convert your RRSP into a RRIF, cash out and pay tax (few do this), or thirdly to annuitize.
READ: RRIF or annuity: Which one is right for you?
Mind you, as Warren Baldwin, a senior vice president with T.E. Wealth points out, the analogy is not perfect, since GICs mature and annuities do not…
The same applies when it comes time for retirees or near-retirees to annuitize. At the end of the year you turn 71 you must decide whether to convert your RRSP into a RRIF, cash out and pay tax (few do this), or thirdly to annuitize.
READ: RRIF or annuity: Which one is right for you?
Mind you, as Warren Baldwin, a senior vice president with T.E. Wealth points out, the analogy is not perfect, since GICs mature and annuities do not…
Can I receive a share of my ex’s military pension?
– moneysense.ca
Q: I was married to a Navy man, went through mediation and it was in our divorce settlement that I was entitled to receive half of his military pension. I thought I had to wait until he turned 65 to be entitled to half but I’ve been told that as soon as he left the Navy he was getting his pension. So I’m not sure if I can receive the split pension or not. How do I find out?
—Deborah
A: Mediation is a wonderful way to settle marital disputes. Unfortunately, some mediators do not come from a financial background and therefore sometimes things get missed or misrepresented.
Once a settlement is mediated, it is always best that each participant receives independent legal advice and it is at this point that your entitlement and access to the pension should have been discussed. I am not clear on how long ago this actually took place, however in 2015, the pension legislation in Canada was changed.
Since this time, an individual entitled to equalization of pension had immediate access to transfer this pension to their personal Locked-in RRSP…
—Deborah
A: Mediation is a wonderful way to settle marital disputes. Unfortunately, some mediators do not come from a financial background and therefore sometimes things get missed or misrepresented.
Once a settlement is mediated, it is always best that each participant receives independent legal advice and it is at this point that your entitlement and access to the pension should have been discussed. I am not clear on how long ago this actually took place, however in 2015, the pension legislation in Canada was changed.
Since this time, an individual entitled to equalization of pension had immediate access to transfer this pension to their personal Locked-in RRSP…
How can I use my extra RRSP room when I retire?
– moneysense.ca
Q: In 2019, I will retire. I will contribute $26,000 to my RRSP in 2018, but I will have ~$26,000 of contribution room available from my 2018 income in 2019. Is there any way to use this RRSP room and enable a deduction against my 2018 income?
For example, could I contribute an additional $26,000 to my RRSP in January 2019, have it be a deduction off of my 2018 income, and still be within my 2019 contribution limit?
—Bill
A: Good question, Bill. I’ll give you a little primer on registered retirement savings plan (RRSP) room and deductions.
RRSP room is generated from earned income like employment income, self-employment income and even net rental income. Your RRSP room for this year is equal to 18% of your earned income for last year, up to a maximum.
Ask a Planner: Leave your question for Jason Heath »
For 2018, the income required to generate the maximum 2019 RRSP room of $26,500 is $147,222. So, assuming you have $147,222 or more of earned income for 2018, you will have $26,500 of RRSP room for 2019…
CPPIB forming joint venture to invest in Brazilian wind power
– canadianbusiness.com
TORONTO _ The Canada Pension Plan Investment Board has signed a joint venture to invest in Brazil’s power generation sector.
The agreement is with Votorantim Energia, the energy arm of Brazil’s Votorantim Group, and will initially involve the purchase of two wind parks in northeastern Brazil with combined generation capacity of 565 megawatts.
As part of the deal, CPPIB will put up about C$272 million in equity and says the joint venture expects to increase its investment over time.
The acquisitions of the wind parks are subject to customary regulatory approvals.
“This transaction enables CPPIB to establish a footprint in the attractive Brazilian power generation market, which fits well with our overall power and renewables strategy and further diversifies the CPP Fund,” said Bruce Hogg, the managing director of power renewables at CPPIB.
“Brazil is considered among the top renewable energy markets in the world, and as demand in the country grows, wind energy is expected to be one of the largest contributors to this new supply…
The agreement is with Votorantim Energia, the energy arm of Brazil’s Votorantim Group, and will initially involve the purchase of two wind parks in northeastern Brazil with combined generation capacity of 565 megawatts.
As part of the deal, CPPIB will put up about C$272 million in equity and says the joint venture expects to increase its investment over time.
The acquisitions of the wind parks are subject to customary regulatory approvals.
“This transaction enables CPPIB to establish a footprint in the attractive Brazilian power generation market, which fits well with our overall power and renewables strategy and further diversifies the CPP Fund,” said Bruce Hogg, the managing director of power renewables at CPPIB.
“Brazil is considered among the top renewable energy markets in the world, and as demand in the country grows, wind energy is expected to be one of the largest contributors to this new supply…
