Retirement Planning

While your retirement date may still be several years off, and the goals you set today may seem even further off, it is never too early to begin preparation.

A formalized savings plan that uses a registered plan, such as a Registered Retirement Savings Plan (RRSP), Tax-Free Savings Account (TFSA) or a Registered Retirement Income Fund (RRIF), is one of the soundest ways to realize your retirement goals. Here are some strategies you can use to maximize the benefits of your RRSP, TFSA and RRIF.

The locking-in of pension benefits is an important concept. Pension regulations are designed to ensure that the pension benefits promised by an employer are available at the employee’s retirement date and that the accumulated pension funds are used to provide a lifetime retirement income for the employee. In response to the growing demand for more flexibility, many provinces, as well as the Federal government, have amended their pension acts to allow additional maturity options.

The RRIF Payout Schedule

Here are some general considerations to keep in mind when deciding what age to start collecting the CPP retirement benefit and determining how much it will be.