Mid-Summer Reviews: When to Collect OAS and CPP

Did you know that 61% of Canadians are afraid of running out of money during retirement? According to a new CPP Investments survey, that fear is widespread. Yet surprisingly few people understand even the basics of public pension planning. For example, Canadians are not obliged to begin OAS or CPP at age 65. By delaying, they can significantly boost after-tax income and improve retirement security.

"I've learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel." Maya Angelou

Do RPPs and RRSPs act as substitutes for one another in retirement savings patterns?  At first glance, this appears to be so, based on a new study released this week by Statistics Canada.   The big finding is that workers who are self-directed savers benefit less than their co-workers who don’t tend to save enough for retirement when RPP contributions automatically increase.

How time flies when you’re having fun!  The end of 2015 is fast approaching, and what a wonderful year it has been working with all our amazing students and strategic partners at Knowledge Bureau. We want to take this opportunity to wish you a very happy holiday and thank you sincerely for sharing knowledge with us in so many ways!

Year end is a great time to reflect on your accomplishments: at work, in your family and in your personal life. For advisors, the power of the storytelling over eggnog and holiday treats can lead to important insights to help clients make the right decisions about their time and money; a key message recently delivered by Todd Hynes, Vice President of Sales at Ivari.

Knowledge Bureau is excited to introduce a new convenient, online learning opportunity:  continuing professional education on video – a great new way to earn 6 CE/CPD Credits.

The new T1135 Foreign Income Verification Statement was released last week, and it requires attention by clients who hold offshore assets. It will be discussed in detail at the Distinguished Advisor Workshops, being held January 20-25, 2016. However, cross-border issues in general present a significant opportunity for tax and financial advisors.