Retirement planning getting you down? There are always smart ways to plan the financial aspects of your retirement.
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Can I withdraw from RRSPs to pay bills? + MORE Apr 20th
What are the cons to withdrawing RRSP savings of $25,000 to pay off some unexpected bills I have incurred?—Anonymous
Withdrawing RRSPs when you’re not retired
Ahh, the unexpected bills.
Anonymous, I’ll give you my initial thoughts first, and then I’ll review the cons of withdrawing .... More »
What investments can I put in my TFSA? + MORE Sep 14th
The less tax you pay, the more money you keep for yourself. How can you apply this to investing? By using registered investment accounts like the tax-free savings account (TFSA) and the registered retirement savings plan (RRSP). The TFSA is often the first investment account a new or young investor .... More »
Why GICs are a good addition to an RRSP or a TFSA + MORE Feb 8th
It’s tax time again, which means Canadians may be thinking about tax-smart ways to invest to reduce their tax burden next year. Chances are, you’ve seen and heard more about guaranteed investment certificates (GICs) in recent months than ever before, and there are concrete reasons why. Read on t.... More »
How does a spousal RRSP withdrawal work? Feb 8th
I bought a spousal RRSP in December 2019 and I plan to withdraw from it this week. Is it considered to be my income or my spousal income? I called CRA four times but no one could answer this question for me.—Tom
Spousal RRSP withdrawal rules: Timing matters
Tom, the rules around the ti.... More »
How to change a past tax return Apr 11th
Ask MoneySense
I have non-registered investment management fees from 2021 and 2022 that were not claimed on my returns for those years. Can they be deducted on my 2023 return? If not, is there another way to utilize those deductions now?
—Ian
How to change a tax filing to claim investment m.... More »
A guide to spousal RRSPs for married and common-law partners
– moneysense.ca
Couples can open and contribute to a personal Registered Retirement Savings Plan (RRSP) or a spousal RRSP—or both. A spousal RRSP generally makes the most financial sense for couples whose incomes are quite different. If one partner earns little or no income, so that contributing to their own RRSP doesn’t offer any tax benefits, the higher-income spouse can make tax-deferred contributions to their lower-income partner’s retirement savings through a spousal RRSP.
The contributing spouse is limited by their own RRSP room, and the tax deductions are claimed on the tax return of that contributing spouse. And the contributing spouse may also save within their own individual RRSP.
The owner of the account makes the investment decisions, and the account is in their name. It’s important to note that in some provinces, individuals keep the assets in their name when they have a relationship breakdown in a common-law union. That’s because common-law partners are treated like married couples in some provinces, while in other provinces—like Ontario—it’s more of a “what’s yours is yours, and what’s mine is mine” approach, and whose name an asset is held in is generally more important for common-law partners than legally married spouses…
The contributing spouse is limited by their own RRSP room, and the tax deductions are claimed on the tax return of that contributing spouse. And the contributing spouse may also save within their own individual RRSP.
The owner of the account makes the investment decisions, and the account is in their name. It’s important to note that in some provinces, individuals keep the assets in their name when they have a relationship breakdown in a common-law union. That’s because common-law partners are treated like married couples in some provinces, while in other provinces—like Ontario—it’s more of a “what’s yours is yours, and what’s mine is mine” approach, and whose name an asset is held in is generally more important for common-law partners than legally married spouses…
TD is offering a differentiated ETF for income and growth
– moneysense.ca
We all need income to fulfil our everyday needs. Canadians approaching retirement, or already retired, may require income beyond what their government and various pension plans provide. For many, that means drawing a regular income stream from their investments.Income-bearing investments tend to be in fixed-income securities, such as bonds and GICs (guaranteed investment certificates), which are tied to interest rates. Lower interest rates over the past decade have made it harder to earn income through fixed-income securities. Even the slightest interest rate drop can trigger a major drop in one’s regular income stream.
Add to this scenario rising inflation and its effect on purchasing power. “Inflation is something investors haven’t had to worry about for the past decade, but it’s going to make this a more challenging period for fixed-income investing than it has been for the last 40 years,” says Ben Gossack, vice president and director, Portfolio Manager within the Fundamental Equity Team at TD Asset Management…
