How much to take out of your RRSP in your 60s + MORE Nov 3rd

Many retirees have the bulk of their retirement savings in registered retirement savings plans (RRSPs) or similar tax-deferred registered accounts. RRSPs need to be used to buy an annuity or more commonly converted to a registered retirement income fund (RRIF) by Dec. 31 of the year someone turns 71. Required RRIF withdrawals begin the next year, with each withdrawal based on a percentage of the account value. 

Locked-in RRSPs, defined contributions (DC) pensions, and deferred profit sharing plans (DPSPs) all have the same rule requiring conversion at age 71. 

The two big questions for a retiree prior to age 71 are: When should I start withdrawals? And how much should I take out each year?

If we take a simplistic approach to the RRSP drawdown, a sustainable withdrawal rate may be 2% to 5% of the account value. That is, between 2% and 5% of the starting account value may be withdrawn each year with subsequent withdrawals increased each year with inflation for life. There are many asterisks depending on age, life expectancy, investment risk tolerance, investment fees and other factors…

As the country re-opens after COVID-related restrictions, Canadians are faced with a worrying financial picture. Many have moved, others are looking to travel, and the cost of living is ballooning with unusual rates of inflation. Meanwhile, the Bank of Canada (BoC) rate hikes designed to curb these forces are adding pressure to those with variable-rate loans and mortgages. Unsurprisingly, many Canadians are using their credit cards to charge their expenses.

How much debt does the average Canadian carry? 

The average credit card debt Canadians had in September 2022 was $2,121, according to Equifax. And another report the Canadian credit bureau, Canadian consumer debt has risen to $2.32 trillion, with an average debt load of approximately $21,000—excluding mortgages. These numbers represent an increase of 8.2% over last year, and 6.4% between the first and second quarters of 2022. And Canadians are using credit cards more, as there was a 6.4% increase in credit balances from the first quarter to the second…