Not sure how to make a savings plan? Read on…
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2020 Income Tax: What you can’t—and can—claim for your work-from-home office during the COVID-19 pandemic Sep 26th
You furnished a functional home office, you’ve got face masks ready by the door for when you need to run an errand, and you bought sanitizer (so many bottles of sanitizer). You’ve done your part to stay home and help flatten the coronavirus curve. The question now is: Can you write off working f.... More »
How to plan for retirement when you have no pension + MORE Sep 10th
In years past retirement planning was relatively easy. Fifty years ago, more than half of working Canadians, and an even higher proportion of men, could fall back on a corporate or union pension plan as their main source of income in retirement.
That’s no longer the case. Just 38% of paid work.... More »
What to do when you have insufficient or unused RESP funds Aug 14th
Registered education savings plans (RESPs) are the best way to save for a child’s post-secondary education. Contributions attract government grants, and the accounts grow tax-deferred. Withdrawals can be used for trade school, college or university funding in Canada and abroad.
According to Sta.... More »
What Does Silicon Valley Bank’s Collapse Mean for Canadians? + MORE Mar 27th
Update: On March 27, North Carolina-based First Citizens bank said it would buy much of the failed Silicon Valley Bank. The deal means First Citizens will assume US$110 billion in assets, deposits of US$56 billion and US$72 billion in loans from the failed SVB.
The collapse of Silicon Valley Ba.... More »
Reasons to consider early RRSP and RRIF withdrawals + MORE Oct 24th
Workers contribute to their registered retirement savings plans (RRSPs) during their working years, with the hope of paying a lower tax rate on withdrawals than the tax rate they save when contributing. Even if the tax rates are similar, there can be a benefit to the tax deferral and compounding of .... More »
Timing the withdrawal of RRSP savings to minimize your tax hit
– moneysense.ca
Q. I’ve been fully retired since 2018, and living only on government pension (QPP, OAS and GIS). I have some RRSP and TFSA investments, and would like some help with determining when I should start withdrawing funds—and whether I will need to pay tax. I’ll be turning 71 in December 2021.
From whom do I seek out advice on this—my financial advisor, where I have my investments, or an accountant? And when would be the best time to seek it?
–Ellen
A. I hear your concern, Ellen. You’ve done the right thing, wanting to be independent in retirement by making investments inside your RRSP, but now you’re facing taxable withdrawals and a reduction in your Guaranteed Income Supplement (GIS) benefit.
You’re asking who you should seek advice from and, in this case, going to your financial planner first may be best. They will assess your situation and refer you to an accountant if needed.
Even before you go to your financial planner, though, I want to help you brush up on your knowledge of RRIF withdrawals and the GIS…
From whom do I seek out advice on this—my financial advisor, where I have my investments, or an accountant? And when would be the best time to seek it?
–Ellen
A. I hear your concern, Ellen. You’ve done the right thing, wanting to be independent in retirement by making investments inside your RRSP, but now you’re facing taxable withdrawals and a reduction in your Guaranteed Income Supplement (GIS) benefit.
You’re asking who you should seek advice from and, in this case, going to your financial planner first may be best. They will assess your situation and refer you to an accountant if needed.
Even before you go to your financial planner, though, I want to help you brush up on your knowledge of RRIF withdrawals and the GIS…
The scoop: What Canadian investors need to know now
– moneysense.ca
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 year. Still, Canadians have generally remained cautious. Although 77% of us say we invest, nearly half (47%) are saving cash, with millennials most likely to shun the markets (57% are holding savings in cash), according to a BMO RRSP Study conducted by Pollara Strategic Insights.
Why the reticence? If a lack of insight is holding you back from investing, check out The MoneyShow Canada Virtual Expo, Sept. 29 to Oct. 1, 2020. Streamed live to your laptop screen, the show offers:
One-stop access to the best minds in the financial world and the opportunity to learn their insights and strategies—all designed to help you grow your investment portfolio and achieve your long-term financial objectives in any market environment…


