What’s my RRSP contribution limit for 2022? + MORE Dec 21st

There are plenty of retirement plan options in Canada! Stay on top of the best plans right here.
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Should you withdraw from non-registered or TFSA investments in retirement? Mar 8th

Ask MoneySense I have stocks in my TFSA as well as some that are non-registered. I am at the point in my life (retired) now that I’d like to begin selling them and using the money. Do I sell from the TFSA account or just from the non-registered portfolio?—Catherine TFSA versus non-registered.... More »

The best ETFs for retirement income + MORE Aug 24th

While exchange-traded funds (ETFs) are appropriate for investors of all ages and life stages, they make particular sense for retirees and those close to retiring. Things like quick and easy broad diversification of asset classes and geographic exposure at a reasonable price are especially relevant w.... 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 »
 pension

Making sense of the markets this week: September 17, 2023 Sep 21st

Kyle Prevost, creator of 4 Steps to a Worry-Free Retirement, Canada’s DIY retirement planning course, shares financial headlines and offers context for Canadian investors. U.S. inflation battle: Mission not accomplished  Despite increasing interest rates and hawkish talk from the U.S. F.... More »
 retirement savings

The one thing influencers Steph & Den want you to know about retirement + MORE Apr 26th

Financial influencer couple Steph Gordon and Dennis Mathu (@Steph & Den) started making YouTube videos about personal finance for Canadians in 2019. Once they found their groove on social media, they left their corporate jobs—Steph was in human capital at PricewaterhouseCoopers and Den was a c.... More »
My husband is retired and concerned that his money that is invested in his RRSP and TFSA is fluctuating too much. He is retired and is wondering if his funds should be in a GIC account as it’s paying 4% and not losing principal. He’s concerned in this volatile market.—Rodeen

Are GICs a good idea for retirement?

As you noted, Rodeen, guaranteed investment certificate (GIC) rates have risen to levels we have not seen in over 10 years. There are one- to five-year rates that are between 4% and 5%. You may not get these rates at major banks, though, where rates are about 2% lower than that, but credit unions and trust companies generally offer a healthy premium.

Are GIC rates going up in Canada?

A year ago, GIC rates were less than 2%. The reason they are so much higher now is worth considering. The May year-over-year inflation rate was nearly 8% so the Bank of Canada (BoC) has raised interest rates to slow down spending and price increases. So, while a 4% GIC rate may seem enticing, it represents nearly a 4% negative real rate of return when adjusted for 8% inflation…

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With the current volatility of today’s market, I have seen my LIRA investment bounce up to almost $90,000 earlier this year, to almost $20,000 less today. That said, it is in a medium- to high-risk portfolio at the moment.

With any luck, I probably still have approximately 18 more years I could potentially be working, however I cannot contribute anything to this LIRA. I am interested in knowing the following:

Should I move it to GIC investments?I am interested in investing in a mortgage fund, but can I, and how?

—Sharon

How to deal with market volatility as a long-term investor

This year has been a brutal one for investors. Stocks are down, bonds are down, real estate is down—there has been nowhere to hide.

The Toronto Stock Exchange net total return is negative 11% year-to-date. The S&P 500 has been much worse, with a 23% drop. Canadian bonds, as measured by the FTSE Canada Universe Bond Index, have lost 13%.

If your locked-in retirement account (LIRA) has gone from $90,000 to just over $70,000, Sharon, it sounds like you are down about 20% in 2022…

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This RRSP contribution room calculator will get you the numbers you need, but keep reading for a better understanding of RRSPs.

If you’re like many Canadians, you’re hoping you’ve paid enough tax in 2022 and may even be looking forward to a hefty tax refund. (The deadline for filing this year is April 30, 2023, and since that date falls on a Sunday, you actually have until May 1, 2023 to file.) You can help ensure that happens by knowing the details of your registered retirement savings plan (RRSP), what sets this type of registered savings account apart, your contribution limit and a whole slew of other things. Here are the basics:

What’s an RRSP?

A registered retirement savings plan, or an RRSP is a savings account that you open at a bank or other financial institution. It is registered by the federal government of Canada for tax savings, and you can contribute to the account up to an annual maximum amount. 

What’s special about RRSPs?

Contributions to RRSPs are deductible, meaning they can be used to reduce your Contributions to RRSPs are deductible, meaning they can be used to reduce your taxes…

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