How to go about securing the best policy for your insurance in Canada.
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BMO Ascend World Elite Mastercard review Dec 10th
The BMO Ascend World Elite Mastercard is just one card in BMO’s premium lineup. It offers a points-based rewards program through BMO Rewards, 5x the points on travel purchases, flexible redemption options, and usually a large welcome bonus. We’ll break it all down below so that you can decide if.... More »
CPP payment dates in 2025, and more to know about the Canada Pension Plan Apr 2nd
In Canada, no retirement plan is complete without considering the CPP. Whether you’re approaching retirement or still several years away from it, the Canada Pension Plan will likely play a role in your retirement income. How big a role depends on several factors. You may have other questions, too..... More »
Before you buy, here’s how to compare home insurance + MORE May 16th
Home insurance is important, but no one loves paying for it—especially when household budgets are tight. That’s why Canadians open their browsers and search for things like “cheap home insurance” and “how to save on home insurance.”
Any insurance professional will tell you there’s.... More »
How does rent from a family member or common-law partner get taxed? Jan 28th
A client of mine told me (Ontario) that his girlfriend moved in and is paying $1,000 per month towards household costs. They won’t be common-law for 3 years in Ontario. Would this count as tax free?—Hans
There are a few considerations here for your client, Hans. I will break them down. .... More »
CPP payment dates in 2025, and more to know about the Canada Pension Plan Oct 7th
In Canada, no retirement plan is complete without considering the CPP. Whether you’re approaching retirement or still several years away from it, the Canada Pension Plan will likely play a role in your retirement income. How big a role depends on several factors. You may have other questions, too..... More »
Do retirees need life insurance?
– moneysense.ca
Ask MoneySense
My wife and I are both retired office workers from a large manufacturing firm. She retired at 60 and I did at 61. We are both 67 now. We have good retirement income between our pensions, LIF, OAS and max CCP, as well as about $12,000 per year in dividend income. The issue is our RRSPs. We have around $900,000 combined, despite drawing down anywhere from $30,000 to $50,000 each year combined. Market returns have been good so it keeps growing despite the withdrawals. We don’t need the income but have drawn down some to take our income to just below OAS clawback level.
My wife and I are both retired office workers from a large manufacturing firm. She retired at 60 and I did at 61. We are both 67 now. We have good retirement income between our pensions, LIF, OAS and max CCP, as well as about $12,000 per year in dividend income. The issue is our RRSPs. We have around $900,000 combined, despite drawing down anywhere from $30,000 to $50,000 each year combined. Market returns have been good so it keeps growing despite the withdrawals. We don’t need the income but have drawn down some to take our income to just below OAS clawback level.
We recognize this is a good problem to have, but trying to determine if there is a software program to determine best withdrawals to make each year especially before we turn 71 and convert to RIF.
Trying to balance the issue of pulling even more money out now and paying more tax and OAS clawback versus our kids losing 50% of our RIF to tax when we pass.
—Mike
How to save taxes on an estate
Hi Mike, I will work backward to make some assumptions about your current investments and pension and then give you some things to think about, including life insurance…
