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RRIF withdrawals: What should seniors with million-dollar portfolios do? Nov 16th
Ask MoneySense
I have invested well and now I am in my 80s. My RIF is almost $3 million and is going to attract heavy taxes. My other investments are about $2 million, some with capital gains which we are going to donate to charity.
Any suggestions on how to reduce the huge tax liability? Should .... More »
You won’t believe the size of the Canadian ETF market + MORE Aug 5th
Mutual funds may still rule in Canada, but exchange traded funds are gaining ground fast. According to the latest industry snapshot the Canadian ETF industry just hit an important milestone.
There are now more than 500 ETF now trading on the TSX and TSXV, controlling $129 billion worth of investo.... More »
What’s the best way of using your home equity during retirement? Nov 9th
Not sure how to make a retirement plan? Read on...
What’s the best way of using your home equity during retirement? - thestar.comContinue Reading On thestar.com »Getting the most out of your Retirement Plan in Canada can be tricky - let us help! Visit our Retirement page for.... More »
Is it the right time to buy a house? Yes. If you have answers + MORE Jul 8th
Housing market is tough to get into—prices are high, but interest rates are low, so how do you know if it’s the right time to buy?
The practical answer has little to do with mortgage rates or housing prices and everything to do with with where you see yourself in five to 10 years. Do you expe.... More »
Could selling a vacation property affect government pensions? Sep 7th
Q. I was wondering what would happen if I sold my mobile home this year for $100,000. Currently, I receive Canada Pension Plan, Old Age Security and Guaranteed Income Supplement benefits totalling about $1,800 a month. Would the sale affect my pensions?
–Colleen
A. When you sell what is known as .... More »
Should I buy life insurance for our child?
– moneysense.ca
Q: About a year ago our 18-month-old had a liver transplant. We worry he won’t be eligible for life insurance when he’s older and are considering a whole life policy for him while he’s young. Is this wise?
—Jenny Reid, Fredericton, NB
A: The first thing you need to do is ask your insurance provider about your son’s eligibility for life insurance when he is an adult. This may save you a lot of work and a lot of worry. Aline Baker of Rogers Insurance in Calgary says that “depending on the circumstances of the child’s medical history, he may very well be eligible for coverage.” If, however, you’re concerned that he won’t get coverage due to medical exclusions, you could opt for a whole life policy that allows you to increase the coverage without future medical evidence. Baker explains that “the child would have a small amount of whole life coverage now, but he will be able to access the cash value of these policies when he is older to offset things like education expenses, a down payment on a home or to provide retirement income…
—Jenny Reid, Fredericton, NB
A: The first thing you need to do is ask your insurance provider about your son’s eligibility for life insurance when he is an adult. This may save you a lot of work and a lot of worry. Aline Baker of Rogers Insurance in Calgary says that “depending on the circumstances of the child’s medical history, he may very well be eligible for coverage.” If, however, you’re concerned that he won’t get coverage due to medical exclusions, you could opt for a whole life policy that allows you to increase the coverage without future medical evidence. Baker explains that “the child would have a small amount of whole life coverage now, but he will be able to access the cash value of these policies when he is older to offset things like education expenses, a down payment on a home or to provide retirement income…
No need to boost private pension contributions: Report
– moneysense.ca
OTTAWA – A new study says automatically raising workplace pension contributions in tandem with the cost of living is unnecessary because Canadian retirees increasingly tighten their purse strings after they reach 70 years old.
The report by the C.D. Howe Institute think tank also argues that tying up the extra funds in pension contributions is an inefficient use of scarce financial resources for Canadians.
10 signs you’re ready to retire »
The research says lowering pension contributions for company plans — such as defined-benefit vehicles — would put more money in the pockets of families that are raising kids and paying down mortgages.
The study is released a few days before federal Finance Minister Bill Morneau is scheduled to meet his provincial and territorial counterparts to continue quickly evolving discussions on how to boost the Canada Pension Plan.
The federal Liberals have pledged to work with the provinces and territories to enhance CPP. They argue that expanding CPP across the country will ensure more Canadians have a secure retirement…
The report by the C.D. Howe Institute think tank also argues that tying up the extra funds in pension contributions is an inefficient use of scarce financial resources for Canadians.
10 signs you’re ready to retire »
The research says lowering pension contributions for company plans — such as defined-benefit vehicles — would put more money in the pockets of families that are raising kids and paying down mortgages.
The study is released a few days before federal Finance Minister Bill Morneau is scheduled to meet his provincial and territorial counterparts to continue quickly evolving discussions on how to boost the Canada Pension Plan.
The federal Liberals have pledged to work with the provinces and territories to enhance CPP. They argue that expanding CPP across the country will ensure more Canadians have a secure retirement…
One caveat of the 4% withdrawal rule
– moneysense.ca
Dieters experience a great deal of joy when they are able to tighten their belts an extra notch.
But financial belt tightening isn’t much fun. It’s something that came to mind when reading Andrew Hallam’s article called “Retirement Fortunes That You Can’t Control.”
He looked at the experience of two unfortunate retirees. One retired at the peak of the market in 2000 and the other at the peak in 2007. Both invested in a low-fee balanced index fund from Vanguard and withdrew 4% per year to live on.
Given their poor timing, the results weren’t entirely discouraging. While both investors suffered from an initial dip, they also enjoyed a subsequent recovery.
But—and it’s a pretty big ‘but’—the income produced by their portfolios fell when the market declined. For instance, 4% of a $1 million portfolio is $40,000. Should the portfolio fall to $500,000 then the 4% withdrawal only produces a payment of $20,000.
In addition, even after the portfolios recovered, the payments didn’t keep up with inflation…
But financial belt tightening isn’t much fun. It’s something that came to mind when reading Andrew Hallam’s article called “Retirement Fortunes That You Can’t Control.”
He looked at the experience of two unfortunate retirees. One retired at the peak of the market in 2000 and the other at the peak in 2007. Both invested in a low-fee balanced index fund from Vanguard and withdrew 4% per year to live on.
Given their poor timing, the results weren’t entirely discouraging. While both investors suffered from an initial dip, they also enjoyed a subsequent recovery.
But—and it’s a pretty big ‘but’—the income produced by their portfolios fell when the market declined. For instance, 4% of a $1 million portfolio is $40,000. Should the portfolio fall to $500,000 then the 4% withdrawal only produces a payment of $20,000.
In addition, even after the portfolios recovered, the payments didn’t keep up with inflation…
No need to expand the CPP: Report
– moneysense.ca
As Ontario Premier Kathleen Wynne clarifies and possibly softens her line on what her government is expecting around Canada Pension Plan reform, a new report from the Fraser Institute suggests expanding the program isn’t necessary.
“When you consider the facts, not the rhetoric, it becomes abundantly clear that expanding the CPP is a solution in search of a problem,” Charles Lammam, director of fiscal studies at the Fraser Institute and co-author of the study, said in a release.
First of all, the study argues, most Canadians are financially prepared for retirement. It points to the fact that in 2014, Canadians held $7.7 trillion in non-pension assets, such as stocks and real estate, compared to the $3.3 trillion held in pensions.
How do I know if I qualify for a pension income tax credit? »
The study comes as Wynne said yesterday the Ontario government could accept an enhanced CPP even if it doesn’t meet the same benefit levels as the Ontario Retirement Pension Plan. Finance ministers are meeting in Vancouver next week to see whether they can reach an agreement on enhancement of the CPP and the Quebec Pension Plan, something that would require the approval of seven provinces representing two-thirds of the population…
“When you consider the facts, not the rhetoric, it becomes abundantly clear that expanding the CPP is a solution in search of a problem,” Charles Lammam, director of fiscal studies at the Fraser Institute and co-author of the study, said in a release.
First of all, the study argues, most Canadians are financially prepared for retirement. It points to the fact that in 2014, Canadians held $7.7 trillion in non-pension assets, such as stocks and real estate, compared to the $3.3 trillion held in pensions.
How do I know if I qualify for a pension income tax credit? »
The study comes as Wynne said yesterday the Ontario government could accept an enhanced CPP even if it doesn’t meet the same benefit levels as the Ontario Retirement Pension Plan. Finance ministers are meeting in Vancouver next week to see whether they can reach an agreement on enhancement of the CPP and the Quebec Pension Plan, something that would require the approval of seven provinces representing two-thirds of the population…
