Can I withdraw from RRSPs to pay bills? + MORE Apr 20th

There are plenty of retirement plan options in Canada! Stay on top of the best plans right here.
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Watch: 4 things to consider before putting your money in a TFSA or RRSP Sep 28th

You know both can help lower how much income tax you pay—both are registered accounts, after all—but how do you decide whether to put your money into a tax-free savings account (TFSA) or a registered retirement savings plan (RRSP)? Watch this video to learn about the four things to consider befo.... More »
 retirement savings plan

Financial paralysis and how to get moving again + MORE Feb 28th

New findings from the Credit Counselling Society’s (CCS) 2026 Consumer Debt Report reveal a concerning pattern in how Canadians are experiencing debt. Under cost-of-living pressures, many are increasing their debt load, relying on credit to make ends meet. And while they’re making their minimum .... More »

U.S. withholding tax in an RRSP for Canadians + MORE Aug 3rd

I have EPD stock in my RRSP for their dividend payments (about 7%). What a surprise I had—even when in an RRSP—I had to pay about 30% tax on these dividends. EPD is registered in Louisiana. —Wanda How much is withholding tax on U.S. dividends? I am going to provide a brief summary of U..... More »
 retirement savings

How to start saving for retirement at 45 + MORE Mar 14th

Saving for retirement at age 45 means you’ll have a 20-year runway toward a traditional age 65 retirement. But what’s your starting point? The National Bank of Canada suggests that by age 40 you should have 2.1 times your annual income saved for retirement, while the U.S.-based firm Fidelity rec.... More »

What is the CPP Survivor’s Pension? How can Canadians claim this benefit? + MORE Feb 15th

Ask MoneySense My wife passed away, and I heard about the survivor’s pension. Can you tell me more about this benefit and how to receive it?—Kevin What is the CPP Survivor’s Pension? Thanks for your email, Kevin. Losing a spouse or common-law partner is one of the most challenging e.... More »
Million Dollar Journey editor and Canadian Financial Summit founder Kyle Prevost shares financial headlines and offers context for Canadian investors.

If a TFSA and an RRSP had a child: The new FHSA

As part of the 2022 budget, the government unveiled its new tax-free first home savings account (FFHSA, but I prefer FHSA as it’s less of a mouthful). And it will be a great way for first-time homebuyers to save up part of their down payment. In a nutshell, here’s what to know about the FHSA:

It allows Canadians to save and invest $8,000 per year, up to a lifetime maximum of $40,000.If you miss contributing in a year, you can’t “make up for it” by carrying forward contribution room in the years to come like you could with a tax-free savings account (TFSA) or a registered retirement savings plan (RRSP).It blends the tax refund benefits that we love with the RRSP, along with the no-strings-attached non-taxation of withdrawals that the TFSA is famous for.Investment income from interest, dividends or capital gains are yours to keep tax-free…

Continue Reading On moneysense.ca »

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 from your registered retirement savings plan (RRSP) to pay off unexpected bills.

Assuming you’ve incurred the debt yourself and you’re not desperate—and I mean really desperate—don’t pay your bills with an RRSP withdrawal.

You acquired the debt on your own, so I recommend figuring out a way to pay it off without cashing in investments or consolidating loans.

When unexpected bills arrive, cash flow issues are normally the underlying culprit; either not enough income or too much spending. 

What can you do to increase your income or reduce your spending so you can pay off your bills? 

Withdrawing from your RRSP may seem like the easy way out. Paying off a debt by cashing in an RRSP or consolidating loans is just a temporary fix, and it starts a cycle…

Continue Reading On moneysense.ca »

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