Ask a Planner by CFP Jason Heath - MoneySense

Real Estate

Should retirees pay off their mortgages with investments?

Liz has just retired and wonders if she should use her investments to pay off her mortgage, despite her advisor’s advice to the contrary.

Retirement

What to do when banks give questionable financial advice to seniors

Mel can’t get a straight answer from his bank about his investment fees and is looking for some input on investing late in retirement.

Retirement

Getting the most out of retirement income planning with an older spouse

Ellen is curious how pension income splitting works when there is a big age difference between spouses. There are several considerations.

Retirement

Disability, income splitting and tax reduction

Rob’s wife is unable to work due to a chronic illness. He’s trying to plan for tax reduction in retirement on their registered accounts.

Retirement

Why it’s still worth it for high-income seniors to apply for OAS

Eileen is worried about the adverse impact on her taxes if she applies for OAS, and wonders if she should still apply.

Retirement

The limits of Old Age Security survivor benefits

Lillian lost her husband and wants to know what happens to his Old Age Security pension.

Retirement

What’s the best time to transfer a TFSA between institutions?

Sandie wants to get the timing of her TFSA transfer right

Retirement

The downside of naming children as RRIF beneficiaries

Kerry is doing some estate planning with his RRIF and wants to make sure it goes to his wife and kids in the best possible manner.

Retirement

Can you transfer your full pension into an RRSP?

Margaret wants to know how to avoid losing some of her pension if she transfers it into an RRSP at retirement.

Retirement

RRIFs and income splitting in the year of death

Gloria’s husband died recently. She’s looking for clarification on what happens with his RRIF and if and how she can split income with him in his year of death.