The New Kid on the Block…the Variable Annuity! The variable annuity of commonly referred to as a GMWB is on the horizon. In June 2006, I attended the Morningstar Investment Conference, which focused on “Retirement Income Planning”. One well-known speaker, Moshe Milevsky, introduced the concept in retirement planning of not just how to generate retirement […]
I had a great question from a client who recently asked “When I convert my RRSP to a RRIF, how much money must I withdraw each year?”. That’s a great question, so I thought I would explain RRSP and RRIF withdrawals and the basic rules. You can make a withdrawal for any amount, up to […]
Service Canada – Canadian Retirement Income Calculator With RRSP season having just ended and tax season ramping up, the last thing on most people’s minds right now is planning for their retirement. Whether you do your own investing on-line, use your local bank, broker, or a financial planner do you know your “Number”? Experience shows […]
Ontario Retirement Pension Plan (ORPP) : Will Those Over 50 Benefit? If you plan to retire in the next 15 years, I wouldn’t get too excited about how the Ontario Retirement Pension Plan (ORPP) will supplement your retirement income! While I have many issues with the ORPP, I realize there is relatively little I can do […]
Financial Planning Binder In step four of the financial planning process, the client’s financial plan is presented in a personalized financial planning binder. It includes all engagement documents, client data, goals, recommendations plus action plans for each each of the following six areas (or specific modules you selected ) as follows. Cash Management Planning Investment Management Planning Retirement Income Planning […]
Tax Freedom Day – June 10, 2015 Today is Tax Freedom Day. Every year the Fraser Institute calculates the total tax burden imposed on the average Canadian family by Canada’s three levels of government. If families were required to pay their total tax bill in advance, they would give every dollar they earn to government […]
What Does the RRSP Deadline Mean? Quite simply, the “RRSP Deadline” is the last day this year that you can make a contribution to your Registered Retirement Savings Plan (RRSP) but claim the tax credit on the previous year’s taxes. The RRSP deadline for the 2014 tax year is March 2, 2015. But do you have unused RRSP contribution room? […]
How Long Should Snowbirds REALLY Stay Out of Canada? Snowbirds and Travelers to the US A lot of retirees travel south each winter to escape the cold. They are probably well aware how their medical coverage through OHIP works (up to 212 days which is effectively 7 months) and hopefully purchase adequate “travel insurance“, so they don’t find themselves in a financial mess should […]