The article "How To Earn A Risk-Free 4% Annual Return" was originally published on MoneySense on July 3, 2018. This reader doesn’t want to put her capital at risk. But there may be a few things she hasn’t considered. Q: I am a widow with $300,000. How realistic is it...

The article "Can You Inherit A TFSA Tax-Free?" was originally published on MoneySense on June 27, 2018. Linda wants to know if there are any tax or probate fee implications when you inherit a TFSA Q: Is the money from a TFSA tax free as an inheritance? Any probate...

The article "Can You Get Survivor Benefits From An Ex-Spouse?" was originally published on MoneySense on June 19, 2018. That may depend on whether you’re separated or divorced Q: Your article prompted me to think about my pension lost to my ex-wife, whom I very...

The article "How Cottage Renos Can Reduce Your Capital Gains" was originally published on MoneySense on June 12, 2018. Phylis and her son own a cottage together. She wants to understand the future tax and estate planning implications. Q: My son and I have purchased...

The article "What To Do When Your Withholding Tax Is Too Low" was originally published on MoneySense on June 5, 2018. Kersten is worried she’ll have a big tax liability next spring Q: I retired at 55 and I am collecting my full teaching pension. I have recently...

The article "Investment Fees You Can And Can't Claim On Your Tax Return" was originally published on MoneySense on May 29, 2018. Patti pays fees for financial advice related to her investments and wonders if those fees are tax deductible Q: I’d like to ask a question...

The article "These Are The Situations When Contributing To An RRSP Isn't Worth It" was originally published on MoneySense on May 22, 2018. Julia has a DB pension and is maxing out her TFSA. Is an RRSP worth it for her? Q: I’m a teacher of 11 years, and I’m wondering...

The article "How Much You Should Pay In Fees On Your Work Savings Plan" was originally published on MoneySense on May 21, 2018. Talk to your employer about lower-fee group savings options Q. I have been registered with an insurance company through my employer since...

The article "Work Abroad? Your Income Is Fair Game For The CRA." was originally published on MoneySense on May 8, 2018. To avoid this, you need to break ties with Canada Q: I am a permanent resident of Canada. I live here with my kids. My husband works in Dubai. He is...

The article "Spouses and Stocks: Is There A Way To Avoid Tax When Transferring Assets?" was originally published on MoneySense on May 17, 2018. Beware of spousal attribution Q: I have a non-registered discount brokerage account containing stocks and mutual funds. If I...

The article "Should I Raid My RRSP To Pay Off My Line Of Credit?" was originally published on MoneySense on May 6, 2018. It’s tempting to cash out RRSPs but watch out for the tax bite Q. My wife and I currently have a mortgage of $297,000. On top of that we’ve had to...

The article "How To Reinstate OAS After It’s Clawed Back" was originally published on MoneySense on May 1, 2018. There is a form to fill out, but it’s entirely optional Q: My father’s OAS was completely clawed back last year because his net income for 2016 was well...

The article "The Benefits And Flexibility Of Family RESPs" was originally published on MoneySense on April 25, 2018. Grants and growth can be allocated amongst any beneficiaries of the plan Q: Can you write an article on how family RESPs work once the oldest children...

The article "Why Incorporation Isn’t Always A Magical Tax Fix" was originally published on MoneySense on April 18, 2018. Sandie’s wife has a small business she plans to run for the next few years. Is she better off incorporating her business or not?   Q: My wife and I...

The article "Should We Take Dad’s Money Now To Avoid Probate?" was originally published on MoneySense on April 10, 2018. Hold your horses! It’s not your money just yet… Q: My mom just passed away. Everything went to my dad. My sister and I are trying to decide if we...

The article "Avoiding Tax And Probate When Passing Down A Rental Property" was originally published on MoneySense on April 3, 2018. Putting a child on the title of a rental house could be like playing a game of whack-a-mole Q: My husband and I would like to put my son...

The article "Timing CPP And OAS With Workplace Pensions" was originally published on MoneySense on March 28, 2018. Even if you expect a ‘bridge’ payment from your DB pension, deferring CPP makes sense Q: My husband is retired military and will turn 60 this year. He’s...

The article "Cutting Down Capital Gains Tax On Real Estate Sales" was originally published on MoneySense on March 20, 2018. Defer RRSP contributions to mitigate taxes Q: Is there any real estate investment I could invest my capital gains in, without being robbed of...

The article "When To Watch Out For OAS Clawbacks" was originally published on MoneySense on March 14, 2018. Working in retirement? Beware clawbacks. Q: I have been trying to find out how much extra income a person can earn without having to report the income while...

The article "RRSP Top-Ups In Retirement Could Cost You" was originally published on MoneySense on March 7, 2018.   Remember: It’s not worth saving $5,000 of tax today to pay $10,000 of tax tomorrow Q: I retired in May 2009 and was under the impression that I could no...

The article "When Income Drops, Should We Tap The RRSP And Feed The TFSA?" was originally published on MoneySense on February 27, 2018. If one partner is home with the kids, it sometimes makes sense to withdraw from an RRSP I’ve been contributing to a spousal RRSP...

The article "Giving Money To Your Grandchildren" was originally published on MoneySense on February 20, 2018. Consider a formal trust, among other options Q: A senior couple would like to transfer shares in individual companies to five different grandchildren. All are...

The article "How Safe Are My Retirement Savings If The Bank Fails?" was originally published on MoneySense on February 19, 2018. What to do to make sure your savings are protected Q: I am considering retiring early (at 55) and based on advice from my financial...

The article "How To Start Investing Late In Life" was originally published on MoneySense on February 11, 2018. It’s never too late to start playing catch-up Q: I am a late bloomer. I finally have an empty nest, but I had low income employment and always lived with my...

The article "Financial Planning And Mental Illness" was originally published on MoneySense on February 7, 2018. Advice for a reader who’s been unable to save due to her chronic mental illness Q: I am 43 with no children or spouse. I have a mental illness that is...

The article "Become A Millionaire By Investing The Wage Hike?" was originally published on MoneySense on January 23, 2018. It’s hard to invest money when you’re making minimum wage. But you can make the boost add up. Ontario Premier Kathleen Wynne increased the...

The article "Pension Income Splitting Explained" was originally published on MoneySense on January 16, 2018. The kind of pension that qualifies, when it makes sense to defer and the tax consequences to watch out for Q: I am 62 years old and I receive a pension from my...

The article "What Happens To Your Spouse’s TFSA If They Die" was originally published on MoneySense on January 9, 2018. It depends on whether you’re their beneficiary, a successor holder or neither —Updated Jan. 16, 2018 to clarify TFSA rules for those who live in...

The article "The Best Way To Transfer RESP Money To An RRSP" was originally published on MoneySense on January 2, 2018. Transferring in-kind versus cashing out, plus keep in mind penalties due Q: When transferring my unused RESP accumulated income into my RRSP, am I...

The article "When To Load Up On Defensive Stocks" was originally published on MoneySense on December 28, 2017. Timing the market is difficult; instead, focus on your own asset allocation and risk tolerance Q: Is it reasonable or practical to shift to defensive stocks...

The article "Do I Need To Retire My Debt, Before I Retire Myself?" was originally published in MoneySense on December 21, 2017. It might make more sense to pay off debt later Q: So, I’m retiring (single male 65) with $850,000 total in RRSPs and a DCP where I currently...

The article "How Can I Use My Extra RRSP Room When I Retire?" was originally published in MoneySense on December 13, 2017. You can’t use up next year’s room this year, but there are ways to put that room to work Q: In 2019, I will retire. I will contribute $26,000 to...

The article "Is An RRSP Worth It If You’re Retiring Abroad?" was originally published on MoneySense on December 5, 2017. It makes sense from a tax perspective but might make investing a hassle Q: I am a permanent resident living in Canada. Is it worth me investing in...

The article "When Using RRSP Money For Debt Is A Bad Idea" was originally published on MoneySense on December 2, 2017. You may have to withdraw twice the amount you owe Q: My wife and I currently have a mortgage of $297,000. On top of that we’ve had to dip into our...

The original article "How To Evaluate Your Group Savings Plan At Work" was originally published on MoneySense on November 28, 2017. Is Renee paying too much for her investments? Q. I have been registered with an insurance company through my employer since 2001. At the...

The article "Owning Canadian Stocks As A U.S. Resident" was originally published on Moneysense on November 14, 2017. What are the capital gains consequences? Q: I live in the USA but still have some stocks in a Canada brokerage. If I should sell them what is the...

The article "LIRA Regrets" was originally published on MoneySense on November 14, 2017. This woman’s husband transferred his workplace pension to a high-fee LIRA and is looking for a smarter solution Q: My husband worked for a municipality and when he left we...

The article "How To Choose The Right Insurance" was originally published on MoneySense on October 31, 2017. Tara isn’t sure if mortgage, life or disability insurance is the right way to go for her and her husband. Q: My husband is 57 and I am 45. I am currently a stay...

The article "REIT Investing: The Risks of Chasing Returns" was originally published on MoneySense on October 24, 2017. This reader is happy with his real estate returns but not with his other equities. Should he transfer to REITs? Not so fast. Q: My wife and I are...

The article "Planning Through Salary Swings" was originally published on MoneySense on October 18, 2017. How to best plan given uncertain income Q: My income fluctuates quite widely from year to year. How do I plan for this and how do I handle the tax implications of...

The article "The Best Way To Use Your RRSP To Invest In Real Estate" was originally published on MoneySense on October 10, 2017. Avoid the risk of real estate investing by considering these options Q: What investments are eligible inside an RRSP? How do I use the...

The article "RRSP Withdrawals In Your 40's" was originally published on MoneySense on October 3, 2017. Converting to a RRIF might be more trouble than it’s worth Q: I’m a federal government employee and was thinking about take some time and using my RRSPs to live on...