ARTICLES BY CATEGORY: Retirement Transition

Case Study: Solving the Retirement Income Puzzle

By Anne Hammond on 07 Jan 2022

“Retirement” – the word represents many things these days. It could be a lifestyle full of travel and adventures, or perhaps a transition to volunteer work...

Pension Considerations – One of the Biggest Decisions of Your Life

By Teresa Black Hughes on 07 Jan 2022

Called the Great Resignation, since the pandemic, employees are leaving the workplace/workforce or switching jobs in droves.

When Should You Start Receiving Your CPP Retirement Pension?

By Doug Runchey on 07 Jan 2021

Since 1987, when the Canada Pension Plan (CPP) first introduced flexible retirement pension start dates, this has been one of the most common questions that I get asked...

Retirement on Your Horizon? Considerations of the Pandemic ’s Ripple Effects

By Isabelle St-Jean on 21 Oct 2020

While leading retirement seminars for pre-retiring professionals over the past 10 years, I have observed diverse levels of readiness, attitude, and concern toward this major work/life transition.

Making an Election for your Defined Benefit (DB) Pension

By Nick Hearne on 24 Oct 2019

Employers guarantee a specific retirement benefit for each employee who participates in their defined benefit pension plan.

Retirement Reflections

By Mark Neufeld on 05 Apr 2019

I’ve had the privilege and honor to work with many clients transitioning to retirement over my nearly 20-year career in financial services.

Making the Best Use of Your Home Equity in Retirement

By Rick Orford on 20 Oct 2018

In the past 10+ years, Vancouver homeowners have enjoyed significant increases in property values. In some cases, property values have increased 2x and 3x

What does Life Expectancy Actually Mean?

By Clay Gillespie on 27 Apr 2018

Life expectancy is one of the most misunderstood aspects of retirement income planning - yet, it is one of the most important factors.

Maintaining your Retirement Capital

By Daniel Sitar on 02 Oct 2017

Everyone has different goals and expectations for their retirement. Likewise, everyone has a different level of financial resources they can use to achieve these goals.

Q and A: What is an annuity and how does it work?

Posted on 03 Jul 2017

A life annuity is a financial vehicle that allows you to exchange a lump sum of capital for a guaranteed income for as long as you live (or you and your spouse or partner lives).

Pools and Streams – Retirement Income

By Alain Quennec on 03 Jul 2017

Louise is retiring soon, and it just dawned on her that she isn’t clear what’s going to happen to her cash flow after the regular paycheques stop coming in. I find this a great source of concern among the nearly-retired...

Keeping More of what you Earn

By Christian White on 03 Apr 2017

You’ve saved long and hard for many years. You’ve made sacrifices and put your long-term needs ahead of your current desires for that vacation, the newer car or upgrading the kitchen.

Q and A: How do I take advantage of the Government of Canada online tools and resources?

Posted on 01 Jul 2016

A good place to start would be to register to access your information with the Canada  Revenue Agency (CRA) online.

2016 Horizons Report

By Clay Gillespie on 01 Jul 2016

We are pleased to present the results of the 2016 Horizons Retirement Report. This report summarizes the dreams, fears, hopes and challenges of Canadians planning to retire within the next 3 to 7 years.

Your E-legacy

By Teresa Black Hughes on 01 Apr 2016

Almost forty years ago in 1977, personal computers made their entrance into our lives as “microcomputers” and in 1980, as “home computers” intended for the non-technical user. 

Building your Financial Future

By Bryson Milley on 01 Apr 2016

One of the most regular questions I’m asked by retiring clients is, “How do we manage our investments once we’re retired?”

Human Capital and the Financial Life Cycle

Posted on 01 Jan 2016

Take a moment to think back to the day you got your first job. At that time, you likely had minimal financial assets and no real estate...

Quantifying the Value of Advice

By Alain Quennec on 01 Oct 2015

Earlier this year, the investment firm Vanguard released the results of a major study attempting to quantify the value of financial advice to investors.

2015 Horizons Retirement Report

By Clay Gillespie on 18 Jul 2015

Many of our clients are concerned about what life will look like during their retirement years. For this reason, we started our retirement survey five years ago to explore what Canadians are thinking as they approach retirement. 

Case Study: The Costs of Health

By Shaun Sun on 03 Jan 2015

Don and Jane Smith are the proud and loving parents of 2 children age 15 and 16. At a meeting with their accountant, one of the topics of concern for the family is the large health costs...

Retirement Income Planning

Posted on 01 Jul 2014

During your working life, you may have had one or two sources of income with limited ability to manage the timing of cash flows.

Horizons Retirement Report 2014

By Clay Gillespie on 01 Jul 2014

Every year, we commission a survey (conducted by Concerto Research) to explore what Canadians are thinking and feeling as they approach retirement. 

Beyond the RRSP

By Mark Neufeld on 01 Apr 2014

When you require income from your RRSP, a Registered Retirement Income Fund (RRIF) may be appropriate for you.

Don't Outlive Your Capital

Posted on 01 Oct 2013

The oldest “official” living person in the world is now 115 years old, although there was a recent unofficial report of a 127- year- old lady in China.

Horizons Retirement Report 2013

By Clay Gillespie on 01 Jul 2013

We’ve just completed the 2013 edition of the Horizons Retirement Report. This survey is done with Canadians who are approaching retirement.

Personal Corporations and Retirement Income Planning

Posted on 01 Apr 2013

Many of our clients who operate a small business or professional practice in law, medicine, real estate, or accounting will be incorporated.

Defined Benefit Pension Plans

By Bryn Hamilton on 14 Apr 2023

Do you contribute to a defined benefit pension plan?

Pumping the brakes

By Christian White on 15 Mar 2023

When the economy is overheated and asset prices are inflated, pulling the interest rate strings is the economic definition of pumping the brakes.

Government Benefits

By Clay Gillespie on 16 Dec 2021

There are two main types of government pensions that most Canadians can expect to receive during their retirement years: Old Age Security (OAS) and the Canada Pension Plan (CPP).

Work Trends – Preparing for Change

By Teresa Black Hughes on 17 Aug 2021

Whether a change of employment is a matter of choice, or is thrust upon you, there are a few things to consider. After all, preparedness is one of the best ways to reduce stress.

What are the major risks when planning your retirement?

By Clay Gillespie on 14 Aug 2019

What is responsible investing

By Linson Chen on 03 Dec 2017

Responsible investing (also known as ethical investing and socially responsible investing) is growing in popularity as more investors are seeking to align their portfolios with their values.

How to Succeed at Retirement

Posted on 17 Nov 2017

Don't simply retire from something; have something to retire to. ~Harry Emerson Fosdick

What are OAS and CPP worth?

By Clay Gillespie on 19 Jun 2017

Both OAS (Old Age Security) and CPP (Canadian Pension Plan) are government income entitlements that are meant to provide Canadians a guaranteed inflation-indexed pension for as long as they live. But what are they worth to you today?

Income Splitting 101

By Bryn Hamilton on 17 Feb 2017

If you or your partner receive qualified pension income, the federal government’s pension income-splitting provisions could mean extra money in your pocket when you file your income tax returns.

RRIF withdrawal rates

By Chris Eynon on 15 Jun 2015

Changes to the RRIF Minimum

Posted on 17 Dec 2014

In the year you turn age 71, you must convert your RRSP funds to a RRIF, annuity, or cash out. Converted to a RRIF, the plan must pay out a minimum of 7.38% of the value on January 1st.

The Costs of Health

By Shaun Sun on 03 Jan 2015

Don and Jane Smith are the proud and loving parents of 2 children age 15 and 16. At a meeting with their accountant, one of the topics of concern for the family is the large health costs...