Articles

Making the most of an RESP

With kids heading back to school, education planning and registered education savings plans (RESPs) are at the forefront of discussions that financial advisers are having with many investors – whether these clients have children in a postsecondary institution or saving for them to go into one in the future. The RESP is an enticing vehicle…

Why Canada should eliminate minimum RRIF withdrawals entirely

An industry colleague and I were talking the other day about registered retirement income funds (I know, we aren’t the most exciting people) and he suggested the government should just remove RRIF minimum withdrawals entirely. The comment was like a lightning bolt to me. It is such a straightforward thought and, in my mind, makes…

FINANCIAL FACELIFT: Rosy projection for long European vacation, then retirement in B.C. hides ‘substantial risk’

Below you will find a real life case study of a couple who are looking for financial advice on how best to arrange their financial affairs. Their names and details have been changed to protect their identity. The Globe and Mail often seeks the advice of our VP, Wealth Advisor, Matthew Ardrey, to review and…

This borrow-to-invest strategy can build you wealth with someone else’s money

“Borrowing to invest” can be a scary phrase. There have been many inappropriate cases where it doesn’t end well. Yet for all of the naysayers, I am pretty sure that you are currently doing it or have done it before. If you have ever had a mortgage or debt on a home equity line of…

What Happened to the Preferred Shares Market?

The stock market suffered a big market drop in the Fall / early Winter, but has since had a substantial recovery. Bonds posted solid returns this past year. Preferred shares have had a very different experience. They declined last year, had a modest recovery and have sold off again in the past few months, leaving…

The Spousal RRSP – Does it still have a place in Retirement Planning?

One of the more frequent questions I get from clients regarding their retirement planning is, with the pension income splitting legislation, are spousal RRSPs worthwhile anymore? The answer is yes, in several situations. Before I outline the planning situations that are useful for spousal RRSPs, first a little primer on what they are and how…