Retirement Unpacked

In episode 33 of Retirement Unpacked, Matthew and Kyle break down your options for large lump sums later in life, whether or not it makes sense to convert your RRSP before you retire, what rate of return you should use in your plan, how to coordinate RRSP and TFSA withdrawals from 60 to 65, and much more. Later in the episode, Mathieu Huneault joins to discuss a unique situation where it could mak...

In episode 32 of Retirement Unpacked, Brett and Peter  break down fee-for-service vs. ongoing financial planning, the assumptions behind your CPP estimate, how to reduce large capital gains in retirement, renting vs. owning in retirement, probate planning, and more. Later in the episode, Paul Grenier joins to discuss growing vs. protecting your wealth in retirement, and why striving for more doesn...

In episode 31 of Retirement Unpacked, Adam and Gord  break down if it makes sense to delay your OAS, what happens to CPP if you retire early, the pros and cons of renting vs. holding onto your house in retirement, when income splitting is beneficial, and much more. Later in the episode, Peter Filippakis joins us to discuss what future changes to OAS could look like and how you can plan ahead if th...

In episode 30 of Retirement Unpacked, Kyle and Mathieu break down what age you should think about starting an RRSP meltdown, whether there's a need for a cashflow wedge if you don't need the money, how couples should plan around long-term care costs, planning considerations for singles, and much more. Later in the episode, Gord Manzer joins to discuss how AI is impacting retirement plannin...

In episode 29 of Retirement Unpacked, Adam and Matthew break down whether delaying OAS is actually worth it, if one spouse should start CPP early when both have the max benefit, how to think about the RRSP meltdown in the real world where markets are volatile, and whether carrying a joint universal life policy through retirement makes sense. Later in the episode, Kyle Martins joins to discuss the...

In episode 28 of Retirement Unpacked, Brett and Michael break down if children receive any CPP benefit if their parents pass away, when spousal loans make sense, why it's normal to be nervous heading into retirement, if there is any reason to convert your RRSP to a RRIF before 71, and much more. Later in the episode, one of our planners, Paul Grenier, joins to discuss how OAS calculated if you...

In episode 27 of Retirement Unpacked, Adam and Jon break down what percentage drop in the market should trigger using your cashflow wedge, whether or not you should start CPP at 60 if you've already maxed it out, what to do when your RRSP has outperformed your planned withdrawals, whether or not you're actually better off with a cashflow wedge, and much more. Later in the episode, one of o...

In episode 26 of Retirement Unpacked, Adam and Brett break down future TFSA contribution limit projections, how OAS clawback can affect withdrawal strategy, whether or not CPP and OAS can cover your no-go phase, how much Canadians believe they need to retire, and a much more. Later in the episode, one of our planners, Gord Manzer, joins to discuss the prevalence of AI powered financial scams, and...

In episode 25 of Retirement Unpacked, Adam and Paul break down how OAS clawback works year to year, whether it still makes sense to delay CPP to 70 if you stop contributing early, the best place to park money when you don't need the mandated withdrawals, and much more. Later in the episode, one of our planners, Martin Goudreault, joins to discuss a couple client success stories, and the impact...

In episode 24 of Retirement Unpacked, Brett and Matthew break down rate of return assumptions and what to do if the market significantly outperforms your plan, why you should drawdown your RRSP/RRIF even if it means forgoing future returns, cashflow wedge planning with a defined benefit pension plan, RRSP meltdown risk if your spouse unexpectedly passes away, and much more. Later in the episode, o...

In episode 23 of Retirement Unpacked, Adam and Brett break down tax planning strategies for high net worth retirees, how non-registered accounts can become a liability in retirement, how to create a retirement budget and plan for unexpected expenses, tax implications for spousal income transfers, and much more. Later in the episode, one of our planners, Mathieu Huneault, joins to discuss what to c...

In episode 22 of Retirement Unpacked, Brett and Kyle break down questions you should be asking your financial planner and also how to ask to have your fees reduced. They also touch on factors to consider before setting up a spousal RRSP, should you start CPP early and invest it, and much more.  Later in the episode, one of our planners, Paul Grenier joins to discuss whether annuities make sense fo...

In episode 21 of Retirement Unpacked, Adam and Michael break down a number of questions we have gotten about the cashflow wedge.  They discuss whether a 75/25 investment can function as a cashflow wedge, whether it makes sense to only withdraw the minimum from your wedge in down markets, and how asset allocation and cashflow wedges should be handled across different accounts like RRIFs, LIFs, TFSA...

In episode 20 of Retirement Unpacked, Brett and Jon dive into CPP survivor benefits and whether delaying CPP can impact your survivor payout, the tax implications of moving investments from a non-registered account to your TFSA or RRSP, whether it makes sense to keep your emergency fund in a chequing account, and much more.  Later on in the episode, one of our planners, Gord Manzer, joins to discu...

In episode 19 of Retirement Unpacked, Adam and Brett break down what age your RRIF should be fully depleted by, how to have conversations about generational wealth with your parents, why having a cash wedge and protecting yourself against the market is critical to actually enjoy the retirement you've worked so hard for, and much more.  Later on in the episode, one of our planners Jon Kutney jo...

In episode 18 of Retirement Unpacked, Brett and Matthew break down how to think about generational wealth, including how much of a buffer to hold before giving money to your children and the smartest ways to share it without waiting until you pass. They also dive into TFSA beneficiary designation planning, whether it makes sense to convert your RRSP to a RRIF before age 65, and much more!  Later i...

Retirement planning does not stop once you leave work. In many ways, it becomes even more important. In this episode, Adam and Kyle answer real listener questions about RRSPs, RRIFs, income splitting, government benefits, and tax-efficient withdrawal planning in retirement. Key moments include: • RRIF income splitting when spouses are different ages • Whether RRIFs and LIFs still pay dividends aft...

This episode of Retirement Unpacked tackles the kinds of retirement questions Canadians actually ask once the details start to matter. Adam and Brett dig into TFSA rules, RRSP withdrawal timing, cash wedge strategies, and CPP decisions, focusing on the tradeoffs and tax considerations that can quietly shape retirement outcomes. Key topics covered: • Moving non registered investments into a TFSA an...

In this episode of Retirement Unpacked , Adam and financial planner Jon Kutney answer real retirement questions from Canadians navigating the transition from saving to spending. They cover practical retirement income decisions, common tax pitfalls, and how different accounts work together in retirement. Topics include: Shifting from a saving mindset to a spending mindset in retirement RRSP to RRIF...

In this episode of Retirement Unpacked, Brett and fellow PWFG planner, Michael Barichello, answer more of your retirement questions. They cover what to do after maxing your RRSP and TFSA, how DC pensions work when you leave an employer, and the implications of naming TFSA beneficiaries or adding joint owners to accounts. They also touch on income splitting, GICs in a TFSA, overcontribution penalti...

In this episode of Retirement Unpacked, Adam and Brett answer viewer questions on RRIF withdrawals, TFSA rules, advisor restrictions, non-registered accounts, pension income splitting, LIRA unlocking, and more. They break down several common retirement planning scenarios Canadians face and explain how to navigate them with clarity and confidence. Later in the episode, Parallel Wealth partner Kyle...

In this episode of Retirement Unpacked, Adam Bornn and Brett Martinson tackle a variety of retirement-related questions, focusing on strategies for managing income, taxes, and investments in retirement. They discuss the implications of OAS clawback, the importance of RRSP contributions, and the nuances of withdrawing from RRSPs and TFSAs. The conversation also covers RRSP drawdown strategies, CPP...

In this bonus episode, Adam sits down with David Chilton, author of The Wealthy Barber and one of Canada’s most trusted voices in personal finance. Dave shares why he spent 16 months completely rewriting his bestselling book and what Canadians need to know about today’s financial realities. They discuss rising living costs, housing challenges, RRSP and TFSA decisions, CPP timing, retirement withdr...

In this week’s episode of Retirement Unpacked , Adam and Brett answer real retirement questions and unpack topics like evaluating financial products, understanding CPP timing, navigating RRIF taxes, and making informed pension and estate decisions. They break everything down in a clear and practical way that helps you apply the ideas to your own situation. They also walk through viewer scenarios i...

In this episode of Retirement Unpacked , Adam and Brett answer real viewer questions on retirement planning. They cover when to defer OAS to reduce taxes, whether a cash wedge actually helps your portfolio, and how to move funds from an RRSP or RRIF into a TFSA. They also discuss CPP while working, health and dental coverage in retirement, DIY investing with a professional plan, using permanent li...