Show Notes
In episode 43 of Retirement Unpacked, Adam and Brett discuss the laddered income strategy and whether it makes sense to use inflation as your “ladder,” what your options are if your TFSA is maxed and you still have excess funds, whether RRSPs make sense if you have a pension, if you only need a cashflow wedge in the accounts you’re actually withdrawing from, and much more. Later in the episode, Paul Grenier joins to discuss a case study involving a couple who recently refinanced their mortgage, invested the proceeds in the markets, and are now looking at retiring early. The case looks at how shifting assumptions and expectations can impact the planning process, and why it’s important for both partners to be aligned and prepared before starting to plan for retirement.
Chapters 0:00 Intro 0:18 Can you let inflation 'ladder' your retirement spending? 5:57 RRIF to non-registered strategy 9:05 Maxed TFSA in retirement, where should excess funds go? 14:20 Attribution rules when you have 2 spousal RRSPs 18:06 Do RRSPs make sense if you have a pension? 26:02 Does TFSA go to spouse if you list them as beneficiary? 30:16 Can you partially convert your RRSP? 35:37 Do you only need cashflow wedge in the accounts you're withdrawing from? 41:19 Tax implications when passing on assets to next generation 47:26 What does our retirement planning process look like? 50:20 Expectations vs reality in retirement planning (case study) 55:05 Will it ever make sense to defer OAS but not CPP?
More from Retirement Unpacked
On episode 58 of Retirement Unpacked, Adam Bornn and Kyle Martins discuss whether withdrawal strategy or asset allocation is more important in retirement, when living trusts can make sense, how singles vs. couples are taxed in retirement and why singles are at a disadvantage, when it makes sense to contribute to an RRSP in retirement, and much more. Later in the episode, Aaron Cramer joins the show to discuss a case study of how the timing and duration of your RRSP meltdown can impact your estate and overall flexibility of your retirement plan.
On episode 57 of Retirement Unpacked, Adam Bornn and Matthew Dennis discuss why we often suggest delaying CPP but not OAS, when you should actually use your income wedge, gifting strategies and which accounts you should consider gifting from, and much more. Later in the episode, Kyle Martins joins the show to discuss some of the planning considerations Canadian retirees need to know as we approach the end of 2026.
On episode 56 of Retirement Unpacked, Adam Bornn and Gord Manzer discuss if there is a minimum RRSP amount needed to delay your CPP to 70, when CPP sharing can make sense, whether you need an income wedge for your entire retirement, how to manage large capital gains in retirement, moving money from your RRIF to your TFSA, and much more. Later in the episode, Peter Filippakis joins the show to discuss some of the nuances around the principal residence exemption, and some scenarios where you are not eligible to claim it.
On episode 55 of Retirement Unpacked, Paul Grenier and Michael Barichello discuss how RRSP tax deductions work, why it could make sense to set up a HELOC before retiring, why people keep working when they can financially retire, if it makes sense to withdraw more from your RRIF to fund your TFSA, and much more. Later in the episode, Martin Goudreault joins the show to discuss a unique tax planning opportunity where a client both contributed to his RRSP and withdrew from his RRIF in this same year leading to about $50,000 in tax savings in their plan. Cost of aging calculator: https://coacalculator.ca/
On episode 54 of Retirement Unpacked, Brett Martinson and Jon Kutney discuss how to utilize additional TFSA contribution room in retirement, how to incorporate dividends into your cashflow (income) wedge, DIY retirement planning software, marginal vs. average tax rates in retirement, in-kind charitable donations, and much more.