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The best high-interest savings accounts in Canada for 2024 Nov 19th
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Find the best and most up-to-date savings rates in Canada using the comparison tool below. Plus, use the filters to assess your estimated return based on the size of your balance.
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CPP vs RRSP: Can you transfer your CPP to an RRSP? Dec 26th
I’m 40 years old. Can I transfer my accumulated CPP to an RRSP?
—Franco
I am going to cut to the chase here, Franco. You cannot transfer your Canada Pension Plan (CPP) to a registered retirement savings plan (RRSP). Some pensions can be transferred to an RRSP, and there are ways .... More »
The best high-interest savings accounts in Canada for 2025 + MORE Jun 4th
Savings comparison tool
Find the best and most up-to-date savings rates in Canada using the comparison tool below. Plus, use the filters to assess your estimated return based on the size of your balance.
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Tech Entrepreneur Lauryn Vaughn Is Changing the Resale Fashion Game + MORE Jul 17th
My entire career has been about using technology to sell upscale consignment clothing. But my starting point was in traditional fashion: When I was a commerce student at the University of Calgary, I landed an internship with the designer Paul Hardy. That was my introduction to retail behind the scen.... More »
The best TFSAs in Canada for 2021 + MORE Jan 30th
A tax-free savings account, known better as a TFSA, is a savings vehicle available to Canadians aged 18 and up who have a valid social insurance number (SIN). It was launched by the federal government in 2009 as a way to encourage Canadians to save and invest.
As the name suggests, TFSAs offer a tax.... More »
Q. I’m 24 years old and have a dilemma. I have made the maximum contributions to my Tax-Free Savings Account (TFSA) every year, and now I’m wondering what money moves I should make next. By that, I mean what is the best investment route for me at this stage of my life so that I pay the least amount of taxes on my future investments?
As I see it, my two options are either to start an RRSP or, to start a non-registered investment account. I mostly like to invest in exchange-traded funds (ETFs) that offer both dividends and capital gains. Let me say that I study and work in the financial industry, and I am aware of the tax benefits of the RRSP but I do have a couple of concerns with it as a savings vehicle. First, your money is generally stuck in the RRSP until retirement—unless you are willing to pay high withdrawal fees. (I like to know that my money is accessible in some manner.) And, second, the RRSP is simply a tax deferment vehicle until age 71. Once the money is withdrawn, depending on your tax bracket, tax will be due…
As I see it, my two options are either to start an RRSP or, to start a non-registered investment account. I mostly like to invest in exchange-traded funds (ETFs) that offer both dividends and capital gains. Let me say that I study and work in the financial industry, and I am aware of the tax benefits of the RRSP but I do have a couple of concerns with it as a savings vehicle. First, your money is generally stuck in the RRSP until retirement—unless you are willing to pay high withdrawal fees. (I like to know that my money is accessible in some manner.) And, second, the RRSP is simply a tax deferment vehicle until age 71. Once the money is withdrawn, depending on your tax bracket, tax will be due…
Can you have too much invested inside an RRSP?
– moneysense.ca
While not quite up there with outliving your money, for many seniors the idea of dying with too large an RRSP (Registered Retirement Savings Plan) or RRIF (Registered Retirement Income Fund) rankles. Handing over nearly half your nest egg to Ottawa after a lifetime of tax-deferred saving seems to many a case of adding insult to injury.
This problem is particularly severe after the death of the second member of a couple. The death of the first spouse may not be a huge tax problem, since the proceeds of RRSPs and RRIFs pass tax-free to the survivor, assuming proper beneficiary designations were established when both were hale and hearty. But if both members of a couple die with a huge combined RRIF, their heirs may share half the estate with the Canada Revenue Agency.
Mind you, there will be some tax effects once two modest RRIFs merge into one giant RRIF. Odds are the survivor is in a higher tax bracket on their own than when the couple were in lower mid-level tax brackets. Non-registered investments will now be in just one name…
This problem is particularly severe after the death of the second member of a couple. The death of the first spouse may not be a huge tax problem, since the proceeds of RRSPs and RRIFs pass tax-free to the survivor, assuming proper beneficiary designations were established when both were hale and hearty. But if both members of a couple die with a huge combined RRIF, their heirs may share half the estate with the Canada Revenue Agency.
Mind you, there will be some tax effects once two modest RRIFs merge into one giant RRIF. Odds are the survivor is in a higher tax bracket on their own than when the couple were in lower mid-level tax brackets. Non-registered investments will now be in just one name…


