All about Retirement Planning in Canada. Learn the ins and outs and get the latest news.
Latest News
What is the Canada Pension Plan death benefit? + MORE Sep 26th
Ask MoneySense
Your recent article is the first time I have seen reference to a CPP death benefit of $2,500. Can you explain it, please?
—Sam
The primary purpose of the Canada Pension Plan (CPP) is to pay a retirement pension to contributors. Employers as well as employed and self-employed .... More »
“We’re well off in retirement. How can we pay less tax?” + MORE Aug 29th
Ask MoneySense
Both my wife and I are retired. My wife is 72 years old and I am 68. Our combined incomes are based on CPP, OAS, RRIFs and dividends (both from our non-registered investments portfolio and corporate dividends that we both get quarterly from a holding company that manages the corporat.... 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 »
Should we draw down my spouse’s RRIF faster? May 30th
Ask MoneySense
My wife is currently drawing $24,000 per year from her RRIF, which has a balance of $510,000. She is also receiving OAS, CPP and a work pension of $22,000. She is 67.
My question is if it would be prudent to start making larger withdrawals to try and reduce the tax that the estate .... More »
Stock news for investors: Spinoffs, acquisitions, and market moves Oct 3rd
Here’s a round-up of news for Canadian investors this week.
Maple Leaf Foods
TMX group
MEG Energy
Stella-Jones
Algoma Steel
Featured RRSP Accounts
featured
EQ Bank
Build .... More »
Do you need a planner if you’re a DIY investor?
– moneysense.ca
In today’s digital age, there’s an increasing number of Canadians who choose do-it-yourself investing. Online brokerages and low-cost trading platforms allowed for a new style of investing to emerge: a new generation of DIYers. We’ve seen a shift in the financial planning industry. Well, self-management can offer Canadians a feeling of control, but it also comes with significant and often underestimated risks. When planning for retirement, these risks can become very concerning.
I believe that to truly safeguard your long-term financial well-being, Canadian investors must look beyond short-term control and recognize the value of a planner—particularly for retirement planning.
Do-it-yourself investing: Is it better?
Many Canadian DIY investors take pride in being able to manage their portfolios, believing that lower account costs and direct control mean better results. However, in practice, DIYers may overlook crucial risk factors:
Making decisions based on emotions,
lack of diversification in their portfolio and
failure to adapt asset allocation to the complex and ever-evolving economy…
