Articles - The Financial Post

Studying the market pays off for savvy couple with 12% gains and 'bulletproof retirement strategy

Leo and Rose have spent many years studying capital markets and have achieved an astonishing 12.4 per cent average growth rate with investments, almost entirely in North American stocks they have researched and follow closely.

This Ontario woman should use her cash to get her mortgage under control heading into retirement

Ella is worried about the impact of interest rate increases on her mortgage payments

Commuting her pension could let this Ottawa civil servant have her cake and eat it, too. But is it worth the risk?

Lucille wants to retire next year, at age 49, and she is considering taking the commuted value of her pension.

This Ontario woman may need to downsize, work part-time to meet her retirement goals

The first step for Amy is to improve her tax efficiency, expert says

This Ontario woman should shed real estate and debt to meet her retirement income goal

Her goal is $60,000 after tax, which in Ontario would require $75,000 in pre-tax income. This plan will help her get there

This B.C. couple should ditch their $1-million rental and invest in dividend stocks to boost retirement cash flow

They will take in nearly four times the property’s current income a year if they sell and invest the proceeds in dividend stocks

This thirtysomething couple with $390,000 in net worth has decades to save

Far from retirement at what they think might be age 60, they need to include a lot of wiggle room in their financial plan

Spectre of inflation adds to early retirement risk for this young B.C. couple

A couple we’ll call Tom and Charlene, both 40, live in B.C. with their seven-year-old son Sam. They bring home $13,179 per month from their jobs in high tech plus additional income from a rental property.

Pensions and cash from a cottage sale put this Ontario couple's retirement on solid ground

They will far exceed their goals and expectations,' expert says

This Ontario couple wants to retire in Greece, but would be wise to take the move slowly

The move would be practical as some costs of living are low in Greece, but complex given differences in tax systems

Job risk and illness complicate this Alberta couple's retirement outlook

Larry and Jessica have no choice but to accept the process of reduced global dependence on oil, but they have the resources to retire with financial security

This couple is so meticulous in their planning, they're even thinking about their cats' future

Their frugal ways will protect their financial future,' expert says

B.C. couple considers commuting their pensions, but managing money comes with big risks

Rather than commute pensions, they could close the gap by spending some of their $256,000 in RRSPs

Move to Calgary would cut this frugal Yukon couple's expenses even further in retirement

Two-defined benefit pensions, no debt and savings add to their security

This Ontario couple has nearly $4 million in assets, but the real-estate heavy mix needs to change

They have four rentals, with a present value of $2.29 million, yielding a 3 per cent return. Sell the rentals, expert advises

This Alberta couple wants a bigger house — but will they have to sacrifice their retirement to get it?

Couple would have to draw on savings for the move up, but their retirement would be amply supported by pensions

For this Ontario woman, family considerations may tilt the balance of important financial decisions

If Ravenna continues to reject equity returns and keeps her savings in low-yield bank deposits, her future will be bleak. But, adding to her equity investments would provide liquidity and asset growth

B.C. couple want to leave a $2-million legacy to their daughter, but they need to get retirement finances sorted first

Their portfolio of many investment funds and real estate adds complexity and management risk to their expectations

Husband lost job, wife eager to retire: How this one-income couple can say goodbye to the grind

Their problem is not adequacy of retirement resources. Rather, it is bridging the time to when their pension benefits begin.

This B.C. woman with $5.8 million in assets can lock in a lavish retirement — if she sells her home

A woman we’ll call Lucy, 68, lives in B.C. Retired, she had $90,680 gross income in 2020 and $5,735,700 in total assets...

This Ontario woman is asset rich, but needs more income to weather a long retirement

A family history of longevity has Sylvia fearing she will spend her assets too quickly and run out of money in late life

Buying a home is better than renting for this Saskatchewan woman and her dog, Fred

Buying a home is better than renting for this Saskatchewan woman and her dog, Fred

This Ontario woman needs to shed her unproductive Montreal rental and invest for retirement

Judy’s portfolio is heavy on real estate and light on financial assets

A military pension provides bulletproof financial security for Ontario couple

Couple will exceed retirement target of $100,000 a year, but first they have to untangle all their pensions

Putting their $580,000 in cash to work is key to this Alberta couple's retirement

Because they have no debts, they can accumulate more savings, which can bloom as productive investments

This Alberta couple wants to spend on some big ticket items — can they retire now or should they wait?

They're flush with savings, but will need to boost income to cover the $95,000 they want to spend on a reno, wedding gifts and a new car.

COVID-19 crunched this family's finances, but solid savings and a pension will see them through

Chris and Adele will be able to stretch their income to buy a $300,000 condo in Portugal, too

B.C. couple has done everything right financially, but these tweaks will make retirement even more comfortable

They've built up $422,000 in savings and cash, but they can still boost savings and open TFSAs

Smart saving has this couple who came to Canada 30 years ago headed for a sound retirement

Tax and investment strategies could raise their retirement security even further

Taking the nearly $700K commuted value of his pension could boost this former teacher's retirement options

It means more investment risk, but it also means flexibility and the potential for greater income

This Five-Star Retirement Plan Comes with a $100,000 Home Renovation and Lots Left Over for Peace of Mind

Derek Moran RFP of Smarter Financial Planning Ltd., discusses home renovations incorporated into retirement plans.

Woman Juggling $500,000 in Debts, Less than $200,000 Net Worth Fears She's Doomed to Bleak Retirement

Derek Moran RFP, Smarter Financial Planning Ltd., discusses managing retirement despite large debt.

A Divorce Behind Him and No Company Pension, 50-Something Father has to Finance Own Retirement

Derek Moran RFP of Smarter Financial Planning Ltd., discusses a divorced man plans for self funded retirement.

With $2.8 Million in Assets, Biggest Question Surrounding this Couple's Retirement is When can it Start

Derek Moran RFP of Smerter Financial Planning discusses when this couple with ample assets can begin retirement

Living Dangerously: 36-year-old Hopes High-Risk Job Pays Off in Early Retirement

Derek Moran discusses Jack's remaining in a dangerous job to obtain early retirement.

Urgent Cost Cutting Needed to Keep Family with Net Worth of Only $139,791 Afloat as Retirement Nears

Derek Moran RFP Smarter Financial Planning Ltd., discusses cost cutting.

This Ontario Couple is Riding Rental Cash Flow to a Five-Star Retirement

Derek Moran discusses incorporating rental cash into retirement planning.

With Six-Figure Income and Growing Savings, this Couple Still Worries Their Future is Bleak

Derek Moran RFP Smarter Financial Planning discusses challenges for retirement despite a six figure income

‘A lifetime of Careful Planning’ Means Couple with Medical Issues Still on Track for Solid Retirement

Derek Moran RFP discusses careful planning for staying on track for retirement.

The 'Bulletproof' Retirement Plan: Why this Alberta Man can Stop Worrying About Losing his Job

Derek Moran of smarter Financial Planning discusses retirement with this Albertan worker.

Holding Off on CPP the Key

Derek Moran, RFP of Smarter Financial Planning LTD., discusses a plan of holding off on CPP payments to improve a retirement plan.

After Losing Everything in Fort McMurray Fires, Engineer Mulls His Readiness to Retire — Maybe to Far North

Derek Moran discusses retirement plan with a Fort McMurray fire victim in The Financial Post.

In Mid-60s and Mired in Debt, Couple Needs Balance-Sheet Fix

Derek Moran discusses working longer in life to enable retirement plans.

‘It's a Real Crapshoot’: Woman with Serious Illness Needs a Financial Plan for the Best — and Worst — of Outcomes

Derek Moran discusses a financial plan with a woman suffering from a serious illness preparing for all possible outcomes.

'A Case of Career Interrupted': Hit with a Layoff, Couple's Reno Plans and Travel Dreams Looking Iffy

Derek Moran RFP discusses a couple that lives below their means, enabling them to weather the storm of a job loss in their retirement strategy.

Trade-Offs Abound as Woman Must Raise Funds to Pay Down Mortgage

Derek Moran discusses RRSP withdrawals and paying down a mortgage to build a portfolio.

Retirement Plan Adds Up for this Single B.C. Woman, but New House not Part of the Equation

Derek Moran discusses if this townhouse owner can upgrade to a detached home and still have a solid plan for retirement.

Harvesting Cash From Rental Properties, Small Business, Key to B.C. Pair's Five-Year Plan

Derek Moran discusses harvesting cash from rental properties while assisting this couple to meet retirement goals.

When You have Eight Kids, Can You Ever Retire? This Couple Can — and Before 65, Too

Derek Moran, Kelowna financial Planner, discusses retiring while still raising kids at home.

Couple with Solid Incomes, Pensions Need to Clear Out Debt if They Want to Retire at 59

Derek Moran RFP of Smarter Financial Planning Ltd., Kelowna BC discusses clearing debt for this couples plan to retire by age 59.

Smarter Financial Planning Ltd .