Not sure how to make a retirement plan? Read on…
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Financial hardship withdrawal exceptions and increasing income in retirement + MORE Apr 4th
Ask MoneySense
I am in B.C., Canada. I moved my LIRA into a LIF two years ago. I have taken the maximum annual withdrawals for each year. I thought it’d be smart to start taking it. How can I get more out of it? I need the funds to help deal with bill payments. All my monthly i.... More »
Severance, pensions and unemployment at 65: Should you apply for a pension if you get laid off? Aug 17th
Q. I just got laid off because of restructuring, but I got a package from work that will have me getting paid until February 2021. I am 65 as of March 2020. I did not apply for my pensions yet. If I apply now will it be deducted from my unemployment in February? Should I wait to apply for a pension.... More »
CPP vs RRSP: Can you transfer your CPP to an RRSP? Dec 21st
I’m 40 years old. Can I transfer my accumulated CPP to an RRSP?
—Franco
I am going to cut to the chase here, Franco. You cannot transfer your Canada Pension Plan (CPP) to a registered retirement savings plan (RRSP). Some pensions can be transferred to an RRSP, and there are ways .... More »
Should you hold gold in a RRIF? + MORE Aug 9th
Ask MoneySense
I have a RRIF (registered retirement income fund) and I am looking to shift it to gold. I am 65 years old. Is this safe and does this make sense?
—Audrey
Investing in gold for retirement in Canada
Gold prices have surged recently, rising 26% over the past year. Silver has .... More »
Annuities may offer security in uncertain times
– thestar.com
Purchasing a better night’s sleep in retirement may come from buying an annuity.Should Pete sell mutual fund to pay down the mortgage?
– moneysense.ca
ShutterstockQ. I have $103,490 left on my mortgage and I pay $325 bi-weekly on it @2.89% fixed rate (mortgage is being renewed shortly). I have the ability to pay off up to 15% ($18,700) of the original mortgage annually in a lump sum without fees. Should I pull money out of my mutual funds (averaging 7% annual return) to put down a lump payment? Or, keep everything as it is? I can also pay down up to double the required bi-weekly payment without charges also, so possibly increasing the biweekly payment would be better? Any advice?
Thanks, Pete
A. Pete, this is actually a common question. People want to know where their money will be most effective. You have had a low rate on your mortgage and even with renewal, it will remain relatively low. Meanwhile, your mutual funds are earning 7%.
Related: Paying down an income property
I do not recommend withdrawing from a higher earning investment to pay down a lower cost debt. That would not be effective and there may be other fees associated with that strategy including possible deferred sales charge fees or maybe taxes (if RRSP money is involved)…
