Your Retirement Planning Simplified

We discuss planning for cognitive decline in retirement and how early financial preparation can protect you and your loved ones. We cover the importance of trusted contacts, power of attorney, estate planning, and financial consolidation to minimize risk and simplify asset management. We also touch on common scams targeting seniors, how to prevent financial fraud, and why working with a trusted fi...

Joe interviews David Warren, a retiree with decades of experience in business and personal finance, about his journey through retirement. David shares insights from his phased transition into retirement, emphasizing the importance of staying active, maintaining relationships, and adapting to life's unexpected challenges, including significant health issues. He reflects on the financial lessons he...

Joe sits down with Michael Finke, PhD, from the American College of Financial Services, to explore how retirees can shift their mindset from saving to spending and embrace a fulfilling retirement. They d iscuss the importance of guaranteed income, social connections, and maintaining health as key pillars of retirement happiness. Michael shares actionable strategies for overcoming emotional barrier...

Joe interviews Benjamin Brandt, CFP, the retirement expert behind Retirement Starts Today . T o gether they explore the non-financial aspects of retirement planning. T opics range from shifting from a scarcity to an abundance mindset, retiring to something rather than from something, and embracing creativity to design a fulfilling post-career life. Key topics include overcoming spending anxiety, i...

Joe answers the most common questions about Registered Retirement Income Funds (RRIFs) to demystify how they work and their role in retirement planning. He explains the differences between RRSPs and RRIFs, minimum withdrawal rules, tax implications, beneficiary designations, and strategies to minimize taxes while maximizing retirement income. With practical tips on income splitting, leveraging the...

Joe gives advanced strategies to optimize your Registered Retirement Income Fund (RRIF) withdrawals, focusing on minimizing taxes, avoiding OAS claw backs , and aligning withdrawals with your broader retirement income plan. Discover actionable tips on pension income splitting, using TFSAs to shelter withdrawals, and making early or strategic withdrawals to maximize tax efficiency. Joe also emphasi...

Joe and Regan examine the essentials of long-term care planning in retirement . They emphasize the importance of proactive strategies to manage future healthcare expenses . T hey look at the "retirement expense smile," covering the go-go, slow-go, and no-go years, and explore options like funding care through investments, leveraging home equity, or using long-term care insurance. They highlight th...

Start 2025 with Confidence in Your Retirement Plan . On this episode of Your Retirement Planning Simplified , Joe and Lindsay share inspiring client stories that highlight the power of clear, actionable retirement plans. Learn how addressing gaps, aligning goals, and working with a professional can transform uncertainty into confidence.   Discover how their Strategy Session offers tailored insight...

In this special year-end episode of Your Retirement Planning Simplified , Joe and Lindsay reflect on the most popular episodes of 2024, covering essential retirement planning insights and strategies. From avoiding critical retirement mistakes—both financial and non-financial—to optimizing tax strategies, calculating your retirement number, and understanding TFSA rules, this roundup delivers action...

Joe tackles the psychology of retirement spending, offering actionable strategies to overcome the common fear of depleting savings.  Joe discusses how retirees can transition from saving to spending confidently by addressing loss aversion, leveraging tools like retirement income guardrails, and aligning spending with their financial goals. Listeners will discover tips for managing cash flow, under...

In this episode of Your Retirement Planning Simplified , Joe uncovers the hidden costs of retirement that often catch retirees off guard, leading to financial stress. From healthcare expenses, long-term care, and inflation to home maintenance, travel, and family support, Joe dives deep into overlooked budget items and offers actionable tips to prepare for them. Learn how strategic planning, such a...

This week we explore the critical topic of inflation and its long-term impact on retirement planning. We define inflation, distinguish it from deflation and disinflation, and explain why prices continue to rise even when inflation rates decrease. We examine how rising costs, particularly in healthcare, can erode purchasing power over time, and why retirees need a plan that accounts for inflation-a...

Joe and Regan share their journeys in the financial planning industry, highlighting key transitions to independent wealth management. They discuss the challenges of starting in a sales-driven culture, the benefits of prioritizing client-centric retirement planning, and the importance of independence in offering customized financial solutions. Joe shares a compelling story about poor client service...

In this episode of Your Retirement Planning Simplified , Joe Curry and Lindsay Wilson explore why good portfolio management can't compensate for bad financial planning, drawing insights from FP Canada's Financial Planning Conference and Benjamin Felix's investment lessons. They emphasize the importance of goal-oriented financial planning over stock-picking, highlighting Warren Buffett's advocacy f...

In this episode of Your Retirement Planning Simplified , Lindsay welcomes Red Keating, a  supportive care counselor at Hospice Peterborough and co-host of the What Now? podcast, to discuss the profound importance of hospice and palliative care in Ontario. Highlighting the compassionate, holistic approach to end-of-life support, Red shares insights on caregiver support, emotional and spiritual guid...

Joe sits down with Lois Tuffin from Volunteer Peterborough to explore the transformative benefits of volunteering for retirees. Lois shares inspiring stories of retirees who have found renewed purpose and fulfillment through volunteer roles in organizations like Habitat for Humanity, Elder Dog, and the Peterborough Folk Festival. Covering a range of opportunities—like meal delivery for seniors, as...

Joe and Lindsay conclude their RISA framework series with a look at the final quadrant: time segmentation . It is also known as the "bucket strategy" in retirement planning. Joe explains how this approach divides retirement assets into short-term, mid-term, and long-term buckets, allowing for a balanced retirement income strategy. Retirees can reduce anxiety from market fluctuations by segmenting...

Does this sound familiar ? Your advisor tells you not to worry, that you're in a good position for retirement. However, you still feel uncertain and lost about where you stand financially . The struggle to get clear answers and guidance on retirement planning can leave you feeling anxious and overwhelmed. If this resonates with you, it's time to take a different approach to retirement planning and...

Joe and Lindsay continue their explor ation of the RISA. This week we examine the Risk Wrap quadrant, focusing on balancing growth potential with income protection in retirement. We explain how Guaranteed Minimum Withdrawal Benefits (GMWB) work, allowing retirees to invest in the market with the security of a guaranteed income floor. Topics covered include variable annuities, investment strategies...

In this episode of Your Retirement Planning Simplified, Joe and Lindsay examine the Income Protection Quadrant of the RISA framework, focusing on strategies to secure guaranteed income in retirement.    They discuss the benefits of annuities, defined benefit pensions, Canada Pension Plan (CPP), and Old Age Security (OAS) to create an income floor that covers essential expenses. For retirees who pr...

Joe and Lindsay explore the Total Return quadrant of the RISA framework, emphasizing the importance of understanding retirement income styles. They discuss the Total Return strategy, which focuses on maintaining a diversified portfolio of stocks and bonds, enabling retirees to rely on market growth for sustainable income. We  highlight key characteristics of Total Return investors, along with the...

O nly 48% of Canadians have a will in place.    It's probably been on your to-do list for a long time and you're not alone. In fact, of the people who have a will, only 35% of them are up to date.    If you're feeling the stress of not having your estate planning in order, you are not alone! The stories shared by Ellie Muir, Team Lead of Partner Relations at Clear Estate, highlight the real-life c...

If you're feeling uncertain about your retirement finances and making decisions based on guesswork, then you are not alone! Many individuals nearing retirement age find themselves in a similar situation, relying on rules of thumb or hearsay rather than having a concrete plan in place. This lack of clarity can lead to stress, anxiety, and potential financial missteps, leaving you feeling unsure abo...

Joe and Lindsay discuss the importance of transparency in financial planning by sharing a recent client story. A couple came to them frustrated by their previous advisor's lack of clarity, unsure whether they could reach their retirement goals. Through our process—beginning with a strategy session and followed by a comprehensive plan—the couple clearly understood their situation, even though the n...

We answer a listener's question about balancing RRSP and RIF withdrawals in retirement while minimizing taxes. We highlight the importance of personalized planning, discussing when it makes sense to defer withdrawals for tax-deferred growth and when early withdrawals could help reduce future tax liabilities like OAS clawbacks .    Joe emphasizes that strategies like delaying CPP or OAS or adjustin...