Retirement Unpacked

In episode 43 of Retirement Unpacked, Adam and Brett discuss the laddered income strategy and whether it makes sense to use inflation as your “ladder,” what your options are if your TFSA is maxed and you still have excess funds, whether RRSPs make sense if you have a pension, if you only need a cashflow wedge in the accounts you’re actually withdrawing from, and much more. Later in the episode, Pa...

In episode 42 of Retirement Unpacked, Brett and Paul break down the importance of using conservative assumptions in your retirement plan, the CPP child-rearing provision, retiring with an age gap, if it makes sense to start CPP early and invest into your RRSP, how non-registered accounts are taxed, and much more. Later in the episode, Mathieu Huneault     joins to discuss two client planning scena...

In episode 41 of Retirement Unpacked, Jon and Martin break down what happens to your TFSA upon death, whether or not the CRA allows you to take a loan to invest in your TFSA, how income splitting rules differ between defined benefit pensions and RRIFs, the differences between QPP and CPP, if it makes sense to start planning for retirement 20 years out, and much more. Later in the episode, Peter Fi...

In episode 40 of Retirement Unpacked, Michael and Mathieu   break down why you should consider converting your RRSP to a RRIF prior to age 71, the differences between a RRIF and LIF, if it makes sense to meltdown a large RRSP, considerations before purchasing a life insurance policy, tax implications of passing on wealth, and much more. Later in the episode, Gord Manzer   joins to discuss a real l...

In episode 39 of Retirement Unpacked, Matthew and Peter break down how to gift money early from your non-registered account in a tax-efficient way, where you should invest after maxing out your RRSP and TFSA, how your RRSP meltdown strategy should change when markets overperform or underperform your plan, HOOPP pensions, and much more. Later in the episode, Martin Goudreault  joins to walk through...

In episode 38 of Retirement Unpacked, Brett and Gord break down options if you are paying high fees and not getting any advice, the attribution rules around joint non-registered accounts, what age you can split your RRIF income with your spouse, whether it makes sense to ladder your income if you're concerned about long-term care, if it makes sense to start CPP early so you can collect the PRB...

In episode 37 of Retirement Unpacked, Adam and Brett break down if it makes sense to withdraw more from your RRIF than you actually need, why your cashflow wedge should not be outside of your registered accounts, how to plan around an inheritance, RRSP and RRIF strategies if you are single, and much more. Later in the episode, Maria Dawes from Capstone Asset Management joins to discuss values-base...

In episode 36 of Retirement Unpacked, Kyle and Peter break down why having zero tax years in retirement can be detrimental to your plan, how retirees can protect themselves against inflation, how to plan around large capital gains in retirement, the best timeframe to judge your investment returns, and much more. Later in the episode, Matthew Dennis joins to discuss the smith manoeuvre, the dangers...

In episode 35 of Retirement Unpacked, Brett and Jon break down RRIF successor annuitant vs. beneficiary designations, if it makes sense to do an RRSP meltdown if you have a large RRIF,TFSA, and non-registered account, whether or not you can contribute to CPP after you retire, how to determine the jurisdiction of your pension and much more. Later in the episode, Gord Manzer joins to discuss the imp...

In episode 34 of Retirement Unpacked, Michael and Paul discuss when it doesn’t make sense to delay your CPP and OAS, strategies to reduce taxes both during your lifetime and at death, estate planning considerations for blended families, and much more. Later in the episode, Martin Goudreault joins to discuss why the shift from saving to spending can be challenging, and shares practical steps to hel...

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...