Retirement planning getting you down? There are always smart ways to plan the financial aspects of your retirement.
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Stock news for investors: Air Canada Q3 profit plunges to as strike weighs on results + MORE Nov 8th
Here’s a round-up of news for Canadian investors this week.
Air Canada
Fortis
Thomson Reuters
Suncor
Cameco
Maple Leaf Foods
Sun Life Financial
Cineplex
Corus Entertainment
Xanadu Quantum Technologies
Featured RRSP Accounts
.... More »
When to consider extra RRIF withdrawals Apr 4th
I am in my 91st year and for my age, in reasonably good health. I drew down a significant extra sum in 2025 from my RRIF. Fortunately, due to some good earlier decisions, my RRIF remains with a very strong market value. I use this drawdown for two purposes: to reinvest in my non-registered accounts.... More »
Can Canadian investors save tax when a stock’s company goes bankrupt? Dec 27th
Ask MoneySense
The company of a stock I own went bankrupt. Am I able to claim losses? If so, how?
—Jake
Can you save on tax when a company you invest in goes bankrupt?
The short answer is: it depends, Jake. But, I will outline the factors to consider to determine if and how you ca.... More »
The best ETFs for retirement income + MORE Aug 24th
While exchange-traded funds (ETFs) are appropriate for investors of all ages and life stages, they make particular sense for retirees and those close to retiring. Things like quick and easy broad diversification of asset classes and geographic exposure at a reasonable price are especially relevant w.... More »
Should you buy back pension service from your employer?
– moneysense.ca
While defined benefit (DB) pensions are the Cadillac of retirement plans, they also entail a unique set of decisions. Buybacks are one of them.
There are a few ways to build up the value of your DB pension: by working to accumulate years of “pensionable service,” of course; by transferring service you earned from a previous job to your current plan upon retirement; and through buybacks, which are basically what they sound like—you purchase periods of service to add to the total years used to calculate the value of your DB pension.
DB pensions provide a fixed future income base based on a formula for final/highest average earnings and an interest rate for accumulated years of service. According to Matthew Ardrey, vice-president of Toronto-based TriDelta Financial, a pension buyback affects the years of service part of that formula. Each year you earn, or buy back, has a multiplier effect on the overall pension. “[It’s] evident why someone may want to do the buyback,” says Ardrey, “as pension plans reward employees with longer service…
There are a few ways to build up the value of your DB pension: by working to accumulate years of “pensionable service,” of course; by transferring service you earned from a previous job to your current plan upon retirement; and through buybacks, which are basically what they sound like—you purchase periods of service to add to the total years used to calculate the value of your DB pension.
DB pensions provide a fixed future income base based on a formula for final/highest average earnings and an interest rate for accumulated years of service. According to Matthew Ardrey, vice-president of Toronto-based TriDelta Financial, a pension buyback affects the years of service part of that formula. Each year you earn, or buy back, has a multiplier effect on the overall pension. “[It’s] evident why someone may want to do the buyback,” says Ardrey, “as pension plans reward employees with longer service…
