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.

The Quebec provincial budget was delivered on February 20. The budget introduced provincial changes that match the recently-announced federal changes.

The Northwest Territories budget was delivered on February 6. The budget contained no income tax measures.

The New Brunswick provincial budget was delivered on February 4. The budget reduces the deficit but a balanced budget is not expected until 2017. The budget promised a 3% increase in social assistance rates beginning in April.

Provincial and territorial budget dates have yet to announced for Ontario (expected the first week in May), Prince Edward Island (expected soon after the legislature opens in April), and Nunavut (expected late in May),

Because of the way that dividends are taxed, both at the federal level and the provincial level, the amount of tax payable on a given dividend depends of the taxpayer’s taxable income (as well as their province of residence).

It’s crunch time when it comes to tax filing. Most taxpayers will have received all their T slips – T4s, T3s, T5s, etc. and now it’s time to actually get it done.