Articles  - The Financial Post

In Alberta, a petroleum analyst we’ll call Rick, age 56, wants to retire at 60 to a warm country — most likely Mexico. He earns $144,000 per year and takes home $7,260 per month. Rick moved to Canada in 2004 but his companion, Jane, 43, is not a resident of Canada and does not work, invest or receive any public benefits here — she does not even have a Social Insurance Number.

In Ontario, a man we’ll call Ken, 64, is a civil servant. His 22-year-old daughter, Rachel, lives with him while studying at grad school. Divorced not long ago, he has wound up paying Rachel’s educational expenses that run to $72,000 per year.

In Ontario, far from the canyons of Bay Street, a couple we’ll call Peter and Lucy, both 55, live a comfortable life in a $1.1-million house with combined after-tax income of $12,524 per month.

Expert says they could have a comfortable retirement with a five-figure monthly after-tax income

Expert says the core of their retirement strategy will depend on their work pensions

Expert says part-time work, or a loan that could be repaid out of excess income later in retirement could bridge the gap

Expert says they could have a comfortable retirement with a five-figure monthly after-tax income

With debt management and enhanced returns on their assets, they can make it, expert says

Expert says the challenge for Larry and Sally is to avoid taking on too many costs.

Herb and Mary have ample cash flow but will face rising taxes in their 70s and 80s

Peter and Charlotte's goal is to achieve a $3,000 monthly retirement income for a retirement spent back home, and they would like to go sooner rather than later

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.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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...

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

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

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

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

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.

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

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

Tax and investment strategies could raise their retirement security even further

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Derek Moran discusses incorporating rental cash into retirement planning.

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

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