Fees Explained
Understanding the Management Expense Ratio (MER)
Comprendre le ratio des frais de gestion (RFG)
General
Investment Performance and the Cost of Advice
Ontario Securities Commission
Canada Revenue Agency (CRA)
The main Canada Revenue Agency site
General Enquiries: (800) 959-5525
Revenue Quebec
Tax information for residents of Quebec
General Enquiries: (819) 770-1768
Tax-free Savings Accounts (TFSA)
Bank of Canada Exchange Rates
Current and historical exchange rates for all currencies
CPP AND OAS
Canada Pension Plan (CPP)
Canada Pension Plan (CPP)
The actual amount of pension benefit is determined based on the employment and self-employment income reported on your tax return between the ages of 18 to 65. You can request a statement of your entitlement directly from the CPP office. If you have stopped working, you can elect to take CPP as early as age 60. Your pension, however, will be reduced by 7.2% per year. For example, if you elect to take your pension at age 60, you will receive 64% or the amount you are otherwise entitled to for the rest of your life. Your pension may be larger, by up to 42%, if you start taking it at age 70. Apply here.
CPP Retirement Income Calculator
For individuals over 55, to determine the benefit of future CPP contributions, or call Service Canada (1 800 277 9914).
Old Age Security (OAS)
Old Age Security (OAS)
OAS is payable to everyone in Canada with 10 years residence after the age of 18. You are entitled to the maximum amount after 40 years residence. The basic amount is clawed back if your net income exceeds approximately $67,000 and is eliminated if net income exceeds approximately $109,000. A supplement is available to seniors with little or no income. Apply here.
Old Age Security (OAS) Payment Rates
OAS Guaranteed Income Supplement (GIS)
OAS Guaranteed Income Supplement (GIS)
If you are over 65 and single with a net income less than $22,ooo or married with a combined net income less than $34,000, you may qualify for the GIS. The maximum benefit of $8,700 for singles / $11,600 for couples is reduced by 50% of your other income (excluding OAS and some other adjustments).
OAS Deferral
As of July 2013, you can defer receiving your Old Age Security (OAS) pension for up to 60 months (five years) after the date you become eligible for an OAS pension in exchange for a higher monthly amount. If you delay receiving your OAS pension, your monthly pension payment will be increased by 0.6% for every month you delay receiving it, up to a maximum of 36% at age 70.
If you choose to defer receipt of your OAS pension, you will not be eligible for the Guaranteed Income Supplement (GIS), and your spouse or common-law partner will not be eligible for the Allowance benefit for the period you are delaying your OAS pension.
If you earn more than the maximum annual income allowed for a given year will have to repay part of or your entire OAS pension. If you are able to delay receiving it until you have a lower income, you will be able to keep more of your OAS pension, and your OAS pension amount will be higher because of the increases for every month you delayed receiving it.
Reaching age 65 – Retired members – Pension
The public service pension plan is coordinated with the Canada Pension Plan (CPP) or the Quebec Pension Plan (QPP). “Coordination” means that the public service pension plan takes into account the contributions and benefits that a plan member will pay into and receive from CPP or QPP. As a result of this coordination, the public pension plan provides for the payment of a lifetime pension payable until your death and a temporary bridge benefit payable until age 65 or until you start receiving disability benefits at any age. The following information is intended to help you understand your lifetime pension and bridge benefit and the coordination of the public service pension plan contributions and benefits with those available from the CPP or QPP. Click here to open the PDF, for more information.
Retirement
Ready to Retire: 5 Key Retirement Risks
A well-designed retirement plan should take into account the following key issues that can affect your income. Read more …
Ready to Retire: Working with your Advisor
Your advisor has helped you plan for your retirement. And now as you move into retirement, your advisor can continue to help you maintain your income objectives while making adjustments as needed.
You could be spending 30 years or more in retirement, and during that time your needs and goals may change. Read more …
Registered Retirement Income Fund (RRIF)
Education – RESP
Saving for Education: Creating an Education Savings Plan
Higher education has many benefits. And one of those benefits is a boost in earnings potential. A university graduate can earn at least twice as much as someone with a high school diploma.
But even a basic university degree can cost tens of thousands of dollars. So it’s never too early to get started. Read more …
Registered Education Savings Plan (RESP)
The Working Years
Saving for Retirement: Working with your Advisor
Successful retirement planning requires detailed financial knowledge and expertise. That’s why it’s so important to work with a financial advisor to create your retirement plan and fine-tune it along the way. Read more …