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How cash ETFs keep your money working + MORE Nov 26th
It’s a dilemma for many investors: you want to have cash set aside to hop on investment opportunities that might arise, but you also don’t want the money sitting in your portfolio not collecting any return. Enter cash exchange-traded funds. Experts say there is increasing demand for cash.... More »
What types of tax-free savings accounts (TFSAs) exist? + MORE Nov 20th
A tax-free savings account (TFSA) is a fantastic way to earn money on your savings, without having to pay tax on those earnings. Registered by the federal government, TFSAs are available to Canadians aged 18 and older. Unlike a registered retirement savings plan (RRSP), you cannot deduct contributio.... More »
A tax guide for Canadians with disabilities + MORE May 6th
It is the understatement of the century to say that being disabled is expensive. Many advocates refer to the added financial burden as the “disability tax”—the extra, unavoidable costs of living with a disability. In Canada, where about 27% of people identify as disabled according to Statistic.... More »
How to plan for taxes in retirement in Canada + MORE Oct 22nd
Ask MoneySense
When I retire and start to take an income, I would like to make sure the withholding tax is sufficient to cover what I would owe, when all my sources of income are considered.
In my case I will have CPP, OAS, a small pension, RRSP/RRIF income.
For each of these sources can I ele.... More »
Can a first-time home buyer have a mortgage co-signer? Sep 18th
If you’re in the market for your first home but need help coming up with the financing, you do have some options, including asking someone to co-sign the mortgage. Involving a third party is probably not what you envisioned for home ownership, but recent interest rate hikes and rising real estate .... More »
“I don’t care about my retirement right now, I care about staying alive.”
Walter Schultz, who is in his 40s, lives in Kitchener, Ont., and through his employment as a technician at a lab, he has a deferred profit-sharing plan and an employee Registered Retirement Savings Plan (RRSP). For now, at least, he says that’s as much as he’s willing to invest towards his so-called golden years.
“I watched how the markets were tanking last spring and while you want to do the right thing, you don’t want to throw money down a rat hole,” says Schultz of his decision to hold off on individual contributions to his RRSP early in 2020.
On top of the effect COVID-19 was having on the market, he worried about the virus itself. “Without going into detail, I’m classified in the at-risk category when you do the screening for COVID,” he says. “Seeing how the economics of the world was going and as my life could be in jeopardy here, I thought ‘OK, it’s time to suspend putting that little bit extra that was being stashed away and not having access…
Walter Schultz, who is in his 40s, lives in Kitchener, Ont., and through his employment as a technician at a lab, he has a deferred profit-sharing plan and an employee Registered Retirement Savings Plan (RRSP). For now, at least, he says that’s as much as he’s willing to invest towards his so-called golden years.
“I watched how the markets were tanking last spring and while you want to do the right thing, you don’t want to throw money down a rat hole,” says Schultz of his decision to hold off on individual contributions to his RRSP early in 2020.
On top of the effect COVID-19 was having on the market, he worried about the virus itself. “Without going into detail, I’m classified in the at-risk category when you do the screening for COVID,” he says. “Seeing how the economics of the world was going and as my life could be in jeopardy here, I thought ‘OK, it’s time to suspend putting that little bit extra that was being stashed away and not having access…
Financial planning in your 70s
– moneysense.ca
When most people think about financial planning, they think about saving and investing for retirement. That is a part of it, but financial planning is much more holistic.
Here are a few financial planning strategies for those approaching or into their 70s. If you’re not there yet, bookmark this for Future You, or share with older family members.
RRSPs
An account holder can only have a Registered Retirement Savings Plan (RRSP) until December 31 of the year they turn 71. By that time, they must either convert their RRSP to a registered retirement income fund (RRIF) or purchase an annuity that provides a regular payment for life from an insurance company.
The conversion age used to be 69, but was increased to the current age 71 in 2007. (I find in the course of my work as a Certified Financial Planner that some people still think it is 69.) It often makes sense to take RRSP withdrawals prior to age 72, and even convert your RRSP to a RRIF as early as age 65.
Minimum RRIF withdrawals at age 72 are 5…
Here are a few financial planning strategies for those approaching or into their 70s. If you’re not there yet, bookmark this for Future You, or share with older family members.
RRSPs
An account holder can only have a Registered Retirement Savings Plan (RRSP) until December 31 of the year they turn 71. By that time, they must either convert their RRSP to a registered retirement income fund (RRIF) or purchase an annuity that provides a regular payment for life from an insurance company.
The conversion age used to be 69, but was increased to the current age 71 in 2007. (I find in the course of my work as a Certified Financial Planner that some people still think it is 69.) It often makes sense to take RRSP withdrawals prior to age 72, and even convert your RRSP to a RRIF as early as age 65.
Minimum RRIF withdrawals at age 72 are 5…
