Reform Is Not Just Technical; It Is Moral This blog post is inspired by an article in Canadian Affairs (December 2025) by John Stapleton and Peter Hicks. Stapleton is a recognized expert on low-income retirement, so his perspectives are worth attention. Retirement income reform is often framed...
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An Unexpected Retirement Question Robert (Rob) is a 64-year-old DIY investor living in the B.C. Okanagan. Born in 1961, he is turning 65 in February 2026 and will be retiring at the end of that month after a long professional career. Rob is comfortable managing his own...
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I. Introduction A. The RRIF transition milestone The conversion of your Registered Retirement Savings Plan (RRSP) to a Registered Retirement Income Fund (RRIF), which must occur not later than the year you turn 71, but can take place earlier, is a major retirement milestone. One of the notable...
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I came across a recent CTV News Consumer Alert article/video clip about taxes on the estate when the bulk of the deceased’s assets were held in a Registered Retirement Savings Plan (RRSP) and a principal residence that had been owned as a secondary property for...
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When Canadians think about retirement, one recurring complaint is that “RRSPs aren’t fair.” The argument goes like this: you get a tax deduction when you contribute, and your savings grow tax-deferred, but then you’re forced to pay full tax when you take money out of...
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Introduction Linda and David, both recently turned 65, are lifelong residents of Cambridge, Ontario. They’re now settling into retirement with a mix of anticipation and uncertainty. They bought their home 39 years ago, just a year after getting married. It’s where they raised their two children and...
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Let’s imagine a married couple, James and Sandra, both age 65, recently retired, and living in Winnipeg. They own a mortgage-free home worth about $500,000. Their financial assets are currently worth about $1.7 million with 25% in RRSPs, 15% in TFSAs, and 60% in a jointly...
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My first full-time job did not have any benefits. I am aware that in certain careers, a lack of an employer-sponsored retirement saving benefit is the norm, whether a Defined Benefit pension, plan, Defined Contribution pension plan, Group RRSP, or Deferred Profit-Sharing Plan. Nevertheless, for...
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An Unexpected Discovery David and Susan have done everything right. Born in 1960 and now turning 65, they've worked steady careers, raised a family, and saved carefully. Their London, Ontario home is mortgage-free, their debts are paid off, and between their RRSPs, TFSAs, DC pension plans, and...
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The Unexpected Problem The RRSP (Registered Retirement Savings Plan) has long been considered a cornerstone of Canadian retirement savings. It offers tax deductions now, tax-deferred growth, and (presumably) lower taxes in retirement. It's often described as a “no-brainer” for Canadians who want to retire comfortably. On the...
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