All about Retirement Planning in Canada. Learn the ins and outs and get the latest news.
Latest News
Planning for retirement with little or no savings to draw on + MORE Mar 21st
Despite their best intentions, some Canadians, facing a variety of financial challenges throughout their working lives, are not able to save much towards retirement. It can be difficult to know how to manage in these circumstances, especially when so much of the financial planning advice that gets s.... More »
The scoop: What Canadian investors need to know now + MORE Sep 21st
For those who like surprises, the stock markets have not disappointed in 2020. The S&P 500 surged to new heights despite the economy-clenching COVID-19 pandemic powering around the globe, and individual investors’ participation in trading reached a 10-year high during the first half of this ye.... More »
Should you be worried about retirement? If you don’t have a pension, you probably should + MORE Feb 24th
A new survey reveals that many Canadians suffer from an appalling lack of knowledge when it comes to retirement planning, writes Gordon Pape..... More »
Ways to “unlock” retirement savings in a LIRA + MORE Dec 7th
Q. When I retired at age 63, the financial institution that managed my DPSP account paid the company-contributed portion (approximately $30,000) into a LIRA.
Given all the constraints related to drawing down a LIRA/LIF, I am now 65, living in BC, and have two questions:
Since I was already at re.... More »
What to do when you overcontribute to your RRSP + MORE Jun 22nd
Ask MoneySense
I overcontributed to my RRSP by accident, and I am looking for some advice on how to deal with it. I contributed $3,550 to my 2022 RRSP in October 2022. I then forgot I made this contribution and again in February 2023 I made a $3,550 contribution.
What options to I have to address.... More »
Is Carol better off withdrawing all the money from her RRIF now?
– moneysense.ca
Q. I am considering deregistering my Registered Retirement Income Fund (RRIF) of $89,000 and taking the tax hit for the 2019 tax year. Doing this would leave me eligible to maximize the Guaranteed Income Supplement (GIS) as well as the Shelter Aid for Elderly Renters (SAFER) in the future.
Right now, I am 73 years old, and my income includes Old Age Security (OAS) and Canada Pension Plan (CPP) at a combined total of $622 per month; a small company pension of $228 per month; and a RRIF payment of $500 per month; for a total of $1,350 a month. Funds from deregistering the RRIF would be used to top up my TFSA, pay medical bills, as well as to pay off a bit of personal debt. I currently also receive GIS benefits of $400 a month, and SAFER benefits of $179 a month. Am I doing the right thing to make the most of my retirement money? Your comments on this strategy would be appreciated.
–Carol
A. Hi Caroline, I believe you may be correct in that it makes sense to:
Right now, I am 73 years old, and my income includes Old Age Security (OAS) and Canada Pension Plan (CPP) at a combined total of $622 per month; a small company pension of $228 per month; and a RRIF payment of $500 per month; for a total of $1,350 a month. Funds from deregistering the RRIF would be used to top up my TFSA, pay medical bills, as well as to pay off a bit of personal debt. I currently also receive GIS benefits of $400 a month, and SAFER benefits of $179 a month. Am I doing the right thing to make the most of my retirement money? Your comments on this strategy would be appreciated.
–Carol
A. Hi Caroline, I believe you may be correct in that it makes sense to:
withdraw all of the funds from your RRIF account;
forgo your GIS and SAFER income for one year;
deposit your after-tax RRIF proceeds into your TFSA; and
maximize your future GIS and SAFER benefits…
How long can you put off saving for retirement? Surprisingly, waiting until your 50s makes sense for some
– thestar.com
Ideally you should draw up a saving plan in your late 30s or early 40s. But it can still be an enormous help if you don’t manage to get to it until your late 40s or 50s or even later.
