Posts by Robb Engen
Money Bag: Unnecessary Investment Loans, Optimizing RRSP, Underspending in Retirement, and More
Welcome to the Money Bag, where I answer questions and address comments from readers on a wide range of money topics, myths, and perceptions about money. No question is off limits, so hit me up in the comments section or send me an email about any money topic that’s on your mind. Today, I’m answering reader questions about…
Read MoreOAS Payments: How Much Will You Receive From Old Age Security
Old Age Security (OAS) is a government program in Canada that provides a basic income to eligible seniors who have reached the age of 65. It is one of the three main pillars of Canada’s retirement income system, along with the Canada Pension Plan and personal savings. Eligibility for OAS is based on several factors,…
Read MoreCPP Payments: How Much Will You Receive From Canada Pension Plan
Canada Pension Plan (CPP) benefits can make up a key portion of your income in retirement. Individuals receiving the maximum CPP payments at age 65 can expect to collect $17,196 per year ($1,433 per month) in benefits. The amount of your CPP payments depends on two factors: how much you contributed, and how long you…
Read More3 Reasons To Take CPP At Age 70
It might seem counterintuitive to spend down your own retirement savings while deferring government benefits such as CPP and OAS past age 65. But that’s exactly the type of strategy that can increase your income, save on taxes, and protect against outliving your money. Indeed, the key to more lifetime income for many retirees is…
Read MoreWhy You Shouldn’t Take CPP At Age 65
In previous articles I’ve looked at reasons to delay taking CPP until age 70, along with explanations why you might want to take CPP earlier at age 60. But in this article I’m going to explain why you shouldn’t take CPP at age 65. The most compelling reason to defer CPP is the increase or…
Read More3 Reasons To Take CPP At Age 60
It’s generally not wise to voluntarily take up to a 36% reduction in income, especially if that income is paid for life. But that’s exactly what happens when retirees choose to take CPP at age 60. I’m a big proponent of delaying CPP up to age 70 to help protect against longevity risk and enhance…
Read MorePutting Together Your Retirement Income Puzzle Pieces
One reason why retirement planning is so challenging to think about is because we often go from receiving one income stream (our T4 salary income) to juggling several different income streams throughout retirement. Even more confusing is the fact that those retirement income streams often can (or should) arrive at different times and may have…
Read MoreWeekend Reading: The Power of Simplicity Edition
‘Our life is frittered away by detail… simplify, simplify.’ – Henry David Thoreau I’ve fielded all types of questions from clients and readers over the years looking for that one magic hack or some shortcut to building wealth. Usually these half-baked ideas come from a friend, relative, colleague, or an unscrupulous advisor, or a random…
Read MoreInvestment Returns for 2024
Global stocks continued the positive momentum from a strong performance in 2023 to deliver another banner year for investment returns in 2024. The gap between the NASDAQ and the rest of the market shrank, but technology stocks once again led the charge, with the tech-heavy NASDAQ gaining 24.10% (XQQ). That mark was nearly equalled by…
Read MoreWhat Is Probate, How To Avoid Probate Fees, and Should You Even Try?
Some Canadians will go to great lengths to avoid probate fees and to reduce taxes applied to their estate. Indeed, estate planning strategies such as adding an adult child to the title of primary residence or a cottage, or as a joint owner of a non-registered account, can unknowingly expose you or your child to…
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