How to go about securing the best Retirement Plan in Canada.
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How much should I have in my RRSP? + MORE Feb 22nd
For many Canadians, investing in their registered retirement savings plan (RRSP) is the primary way they save for retirement. RRSPs are an invaluable tool, allowing you to stow away funds for golden years while reducing your taxable income today. However, there is no one-size-fits-all way to use the.... More »
How do the RRSP contribution carry forward rules work? Nov 2nd
If I have $25,000 contribution room left in my RRSP, can I take that all at once plus my regular RRSP contribution of $27,230 for the tax year 2020? Effectively making a contribution of $57,230 to my RRSP?— Lorraine
The rules around RRSP contribution room
As soon as a taxpayer starts t.... More »
Stock news for investors: Quarterly profits up at Shopify, Brookfield; down at Suncor, Reuters Aug 8th
Here’s a round-up of news for Canadian investors this week.
Shopify
Suncor Energy Inc.
Brookfield Asset Management
Parkland Corp.
Thomson Reuters
Featured RRSP Accounts
featured
EQ Bank
.... More »
Russ Dyck financial advisor Nov 8th
Meet Russ Dyck
Russ Dyck, a Certified Financial Planner and founder of Finovo, specializes in financial planning for professional couples and young professionals. He is passionate about helping clients navigate complex financial decisions with clarity and confidence, tailoring each plan to meet t.... More »
“Why do I need a financial plan?” + MORE Jan 12th
Q. I am in my early 50s, have a steady job, I’m not a big spender, and I make RRSP contributions. Why would I need a financial plan? I don’t see how it could help me.
–Tom
A. To answer your question (and it’s a good one!), let’s think about why people get a plan, the benefits of having a p.... More »
Does a spouse’s real estate ownership cancel out first-time homebuyer qualifications?
– moneysense.ca
Q. My husband and I married recently, and we have lived together in a rental apartment since we got engaged and married. He has a condo, which he purchased seven years ago, but he has not lived there for the past three years. I’ve never lived in that condo and he didn’t use the Home Buyers’ Plan to purchase it. If we were to purchase a property together, to live in as our matrimonial home:
Am I eligible to use first-time homebuyer programs? How about my husband?
If I am eligible, but my husband is not, can I buy a joint property and I still use first-time homebuyer benefits?
–Meredith
A. There are a few first-time home buyer incentives from the federal and provincial governments. The Home Buyers’ Plan (HBP) allows a withdrawal of up to $35,000 from your Registered Retirement Savings Plan (RRSP) to use towards the purchase of a qualifying home. Both spouses can utilize the $35,000 limit if they qualify.
And to qualify, you must be a first-time home buyer, meaning you did not occupy a home that you or your spouse owned in the four years prior to buying a home…
Q. A few years ago, I joined a public sector employer with a hybrid defined-benefit, minimum-guarantee pension plan that will allow me to move RRSP contributions made elsewhere, into the employer’s plan.
I have been told that the transferred money would have to remain locked-in until I retire or leave the organization. The total value of the pension plan, including the contribution of employees, employer and returns, is around $2 billion.
Recently, I compared the last 10 years of performance of my RRSP investments with my employer’s DB pension returns, and I noticed the DB pension plan would have offered around 36% more accumulated growth on the original starting capital.
I have 10 to 12 years until retirement and I am seriously considering having my RRSP money transferred to the pension plan. Should I be taking anything else into consideration before making this decision?
–Jaspal
A. Jaspal, great that you are paying attention to your investments and doing a double-check before making a big change…
I have been told that the transferred money would have to remain locked-in until I retire or leave the organization. The total value of the pension plan, including the contribution of employees, employer and returns, is around $2 billion.
Recently, I compared the last 10 years of performance of my RRSP investments with my employer’s DB pension returns, and I noticed the DB pension plan would have offered around 36% more accumulated growth on the original starting capital.
I have 10 to 12 years until retirement and I am seriously considering having my RRSP money transferred to the pension plan. Should I be taking anything else into consideration before making this decision?
–Jaspal
A. Jaspal, great that you are paying attention to your investments and doing a double-check before making a big change…
