Risk & Wealth Planning
POSTED BY PETER WOUTERS Things often go wrong or take an unexpected turn even though you carefully planned what you were going to do. Robert Burns’ famous line basically said that the best laid plans of mice and men often go astray. That extends to intentions of staying on the job or finding paid work later […]
Two great investment options with distinct differences. Many investors have heard about mutual funds and the wealth potential they have as an investment. Fewer know about segregated fund solutions (seg funds) and their unique features and advantages. Like mutual funds, seg funds are pooled investments. They combine the money of many investors, creating economies of […]
A systematic investing plan provides discipline and the potential for better returns. Investors who watch the markets closely can get dizzy tracking all the ups and downs – and, as prices fluctuate, often unpredictably, it can be hard to stay focused on long-term plans. When markets drop, it can be very difficult to fight the […]
By Patricia Dubois There are many money myths around, and Sun Life advisors have heard nearly all of them. Here are 2 about succession planning – and the realities behind them. There’s no shortage of misconceptions about money. Well-meaning but mistaken people often spread them to family and friends, and sometimes even try to insist […]
Due to COVID 19 the RRIF minimum withdrawal has been modified down. See the 2020 rates at the end of this article Age 2020 RRIF Factors 55 2.15% 56 2.21% 57 2.27% 58 2.35% 59 2.42% 60 2.50% 61 2.59% 62 2.68% 63 2.78% 64 2.89% Age 2020 RRIF Factors 65 3.00% 66 3.13% 67 […]
Income from a RRIF qualifies for the $2,000 pension credit on your income tax return. You can take out as much as you want from a Registered Retirement Income Fund (RRIF) since there’s no maximum, but keep in mind that every dollar out is considered taxable income in that year. This is why many retirees […]
Many Canadians save and invest not just to build a better future for themselves but also to leave a financial legacy for their children or grandchildren. Without proper planning, however, much of that legacy could wind up going to the government in the form of taxes. For example, suppose you own a vacation property (that […]
The following graph shows the rolling returns (returns over X consecutive years) for 1, 5, 10 and 20 years. The green lines are positive returns and the red are negative returns. Each consecutive line shows more green lines and fewer red lines thus showing that the longer you stayed invested, the better chance of positive […]
How to support their care for a lifetime. Most families are concerned about planning for their children’s financial futures, but for families with special needs children, financial planning strategies have a different and often more complex dimension. The cost of supporting an individual with special needs adds up quickly – from therapies, medical equipment and special […]
Taxes may be inescapable, but your choice of investments can have a huge impact on how much tax you pay. It all depends on your personal situation and how you structure your investment portfolio. 3 types of investment income and how they work A basic investment portfolio can generate three types of income: Interest income. […]
Are couples and money incompatible? Is financial planning a relationship killer? Here’s some advice on managing money together without destroying your relationship. 1. Break the money taboo Did you know that money is one of the main sources of conflict in couples? For love and money to coexist, you cannot bury your head in the […]
POSTED BY PETER WOUTERS of Empire Life A common piece of advice for investors is that long term success doesn’t hinge on timing the market. It’s time in the market that may make the bigger difference. Most investors aren’t professionals. Accredited investment specialists devote their education, training, time and resources to studying the markets and individual companies. […]
By Renée Sylvestre-Williams @ sunlife.ca Giving in to FOMO can wreak havoc on your bank account. Here’s how to fight it with a genius budget trick – and a little help from your friends. From scrumptious brunches framed just right to party photos heavy on the merriment and glam, other people’s lives as shared […]
I’m sure many of you have heard the following statements. Perhaps you have made them yourselves. “I don’t like taking risks with my money.” “I can’t accumulate the amount of money I need by simply putting it all into a savings account or term deposits.” “What happens if I put all of my money into […]
By Denise Barrett sunlife.ca Did you know if you’ve never opened a TFSA, you can contribute up to $57,500 today? The tax-free savings account (TFSA) lets you stash extra cash for just about anything — rainy-day savings, a new house or retirement — without paying any tax on the growth within the account or on withdrawals. Still, […]
Written by Peter Wouters Do you ever wish you could talk to your younger self about lessons you’ve learned, more than a few of them the hard way? There are the mishaps you could have avoided, the errors in judgement you could have missed and the regrets you wouldn’t hold. How much better would you feel […]
By Susan Yellin – sunlife.ca It takes financial planning to create wealth, but you needn’t be wealthy to plan. So what’s the difference between planning and wealth management? A financial plan is not a single-purpose, one-time task. In fact, when you embark on this crucial strategy, it’s important you think of it as a multi-step, […]
The alarming headlines of 2017 might be tempting investors to take drastic action. But it’s smarter to take a deep breath and a longer view. For Canadian investors, 2017 has provided plenty of potential worries, with an erratic U.S. president given to Twitter eruptions being arguably the largest. The real danger for investors is that […]