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 planner, I can rather easily…

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 nose 1…

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 chronic and has prevented…

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 minimum wage from $11.60 per hour to…

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 work. At the…

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 Quebec— Q: My brother recently died…

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 able to do it as is,…

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 and mutual funds to prepare for a…

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 work.…

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…