A TFSA isn’t just for tax-free growth.
In retirement, it can act as a flexible “lever account,” helping fund higher-spending years without increasing taxable income or impacting income-tested benefits.
Retirement planning is about flexibility, not just account balances.
The new episode is out!
This week we’re covering:
• Mutual fund fees and advice
• Joint account tax rules
• CPP timing and PRBs
The full episode covers even more retirement planning questions. Head over to YouTube to check it out. https://t.co/BsSD8bmVc1
Your LIF usually has the most restrictions, which is why it often makes sense to draw from it before your RRIF.
But don’t guess.
Map it out in planning software so you can see how max LIF withdrawals impact your tax bill and overall retirement income strategy.
Why can a zero-tax year actually be a missed opportunity in retirement? The explanation is in today’s episode of Retirement Unpacked, out now.
Watch or listen here 👇
https://t.co/b22BnwxIWC
Retirement housing is not just about the numbers. Buying gives you control, while renting gives you flexibility. Once the math is close, it often comes down to which option gives you more peace of mind.
https://t.co/gC6bJgrOQt
Ep. 35 of Retirement Unpacked is out now.
We’re covering RRSP meltdown strategies, RRIF successor annuitants, income splitting, CPP contributions, principal residence rules, and why retirement flexibility matters.
Another packed Q&A!
Retirement planning looks different when you are single.
It is not just about having enough saved. Taxes, housing, healthcare support, emergency planning, and CPP timing can all have a bigger impact when it is just you.
A good plan should account for that.
OAS clawback should not be viewed in isolation. Even if delaying CPP creates clawback, it can still improve the bigger picture through tax planning, flexibility, and stronger after-tax results.
Follow our clips channel for more bite-sized insights.
https://t.co/tUgj9OL5Cz
In retirement, there is often a shift from trying to grow wealth as much as possible to protecting it and spending it sustainably. More return is not always the answer if it comes at the cost of peace of mind.
A retirement plan can do more than tell you when you can retire. It can also help answer big questions along the way, like whether early retirement is possible, how prepared you are, and what happens if work ends sooner than expected.
Episode 31 OUT NOW
This one touches on a wide range of retirement planning questions, from OAS and CPP timing to income splitting, estate considerations, cashflow wedge triggers, and whether upsizing in retirement coule actually fit your plan.
Starting CPP early is not always wrong. Delaying can make sense on paper, but retirement decisions are also personal. If paying down debt or creating peace of mind matters more, the best choice may be the one that fits the full plan.
A good retirement plan is not just about having enough money.
It should connect income sources, optimize CPP/OAS timing, build flexibility, smooth out tax over time, and match spending to the stages of retirement.
Good planning is about strategy, not just savings.
Ep 29 of Retirement Unpacked is out now.
This episode covers when delaying OAS makes sense, why maxing CPP does not automatically mean starting early, how to replenish a cash wedge, and how to stay consistent with RRSP withdrawals in volatile markets.
A common retirement mistake: treating every account the same.
Each account has a different role. Without a clear drawdown plan, it can lead to higher taxes and unnecessary risk.
The plan should drive the investments.
Ep. 28 of Retirement Unpacked is out now.
This week Brett and Michael tackle real listener questions on CPP benefits, spousal loans, pre-retirement nerves, corporate passive income, and more.
Listen now and send in your next question. https://t.co/b22BnwxIWC
A good decumulation plan is not just about income.
It's about reducing lifetime tax and keeping more money in your family's hands instead of sending it to CRA.
Watch more: https://t.co/9fbQHtxTWg
Often, the better move is to draw more than you need now, smooth out taxes over time, and move excess cash to a TFSA, non-registered account, or even family gifting.