Retirement Unpacked

Parallel Wealth

Retirement Unpacked is a weekly podcast by Parallel Wealth Financial Group. Our planners break down key retirement topics for Canadians—income strategies, tax planning, CPP, OAS, TFSAs, RRSPs, RRIFs, lifestyle choices, and estate planning. We answer real questions from YouTube, emails, and client conversations, giving you practical insights and strategies to retire with confidence, clarity, and peace of mind. Join us each week as we unpack retirement together.

  1. 5D AGO

    022 | If You Want to Pay Less In Fees, Ask Your Advisor This

    In episode 22 of Retirement Unpacked, Brett and Kyle break down questions you should be asking your financial planner and also how to ask to have your fees reduced. They also touch on factors to consider before setting up a spousal RRSP, should you start CPP early and invest it, and much more.  Later in the episode, one of our planners, Paul Grenier joins to discuss whether annuities make sense for retirees in 2026.  Brett's book recommendation from John De Goey Adam's video on investing your CPP payment Chapters 00:00 Intro  1:08 Drawdown with RRIF and corporate holdings  5:14 Planning after taking CPP and OAS early  8:54 Factors to consider for spousal RRSPs  12:28 Questions to ask your financial planner  18:03 Tax implications of gifting money to children  21:43 How to ask to reduce your fees  30:41 Should you start CPP early and invest it?  37:23 Why are joint investment accounts hard to find?  40:20 Is OAS clawback based on individual or couple income?  43:39 How to reduce tax on sale of investment property  49:40 Discussion on annuities  56:08 Does delaying OAS increase years of eligibility?

    1h 2m

  2. JAN 31

    021 | A Better Way To Think About Asset Allocation In Retirement

    In episode 21 of Retirement Unpacked, Adam and Michael break down a number of questions we have gotten about the cashflow wedge.  They discuss whether a 75/25 investment can function as a cashflow wedge, whether it makes sense to only withdraw the minimum from your wedge in down markets, and how asset allocation and cashflow wedges should be handled across different accounts like RRIFs, LIFs, TFSAs, and non-registered accounts. The episode also covers the CPP post-retirement benefit, planning for real estate that continues to increase in value during retirement, and much more.   Later in the episode, one of our planners, Peter Filippakis, joins to discuss planning considerations when there’s an age gap between partners, and the additional factors retirees need to think through in those situations.  Chapters 00:00 Intro  00:37 What is the Post Retirement Benefit?  1:59 How gradual retirement in early 60s affects CPP  3:34 Should DC pension balance be added to RRSP?  4:54 Use a 75%/25% investment for cashflow wedge?  7:29 What happens to DCPP when you retire?  9:40 Can you reinvest dividends in RRIF?  10:55 Withdraw minimum from LIF/RIF in down markets?  15:33 Planning for real estate increasing in value in retirement  17:43 Asset allocation & cashflow wedge across your accounts  20:24 Do you still need bonds if you have cashflow wedge?  23:26 Planning when there's an age gap

    32 min

  3. JAN 24

    020 | CPP Survivor Benefit Explained

    In episode 20 of Retirement Unpacked, Brett and Jon dive into CPP survivor benefits and whether delaying CPP can impact your survivor payout, the tax implications of moving investments from a non-registered account to your TFSA or RRSP, whether it makes sense to keep your emergency fund in a chequing account, and much more.  Later on in the episode, one of our planners, Gord Manzer, joins to discuss car accident benefits in retirement and how upcoming changes in Ontario, including many of the mandatory benefits becoming optional on July 1, could affect retirees.  Chapters 00:00 Intro  00:43 Balance a large non-registered and RRSP  4:50 Understanding CPP survivor benefit  12:32 Laddered GICs for cash wedge  15:43 Moving investments from non-registered to TFSA and RRSP  18:44 PWL CPP estimate vs. Service Canada  23:43 Why do we always delay CPP to 70?  27:39 Should your emergency fund sit in a chequing account?  36:30 Selling rental properties with RRSP meltdown in mind  40:35 Why delay CPP and OAS when you'll get clawback?  44:03 Car accident benefits in retirement  50:27 Jon's favourite song right now  51:30 Article review: Kevin O'Leary's formula to becoming a millionaire

    58 min

  4. JAN 17

    019 | If Your Portfolio Doesn’t Have This, Your Retirement Might Suffer

    In episode 19 of Retirement Unpacked, Adam and Brett break down what age your RRIF should be fully depleted by, how to have conversations about generational wealth with your parents, why having a cash wedge and protecting yourself against the market is critical to actually enjoy the retirement you've worked so hard for, and much more.  Later on in the episode, one of our planners Jon Kutney joins to discuss smart debt and strategies to potentially make your debt tax-deductible.  Chapters 00:00 Intro  00:21 Better or worse time to transfer RRSP to RRIF  3:22 What age should RRIF be fully melted down  5:20 LIF maximum based on the account's performance  8:31 Retirement planning for a spouse with dementia  13:10 What to do when actual returns differ from your plan  19:38 Talking about generational wealth with your parents  27:24 Passing wealth to financially irresponsible grandkids  31:12 Clarifying the cash wedge  38:07 Drawing down RRIF based on life expectancy  40:16 Retiring early, how should I drawdown RRIF, TFSA, and non-reg?  45:14 Smart debt discussion  50:38 Estate planning with age gap and blended family

    59 min

  5. JAN 10

    018 | Is It A Mistake To Wait Until 65 To Convert Your RRSP?

    In episode 18 of Retirement Unpacked, Brett and Matthew break down how to think about generational wealth, including how much of a buffer to hold before giving money to your children and the smartest ways to share it without waiting until you pass. They also dive into TFSA beneficiary designation planning, whether it makes sense to convert your RRSP to a RRIF before age 65, and much more!  Later in the episode, one of our planners Mathieu Huneault joins to discuss an article he came across from Aaron Hector about whether you should name a U.S. or dual-citizen spouse as the successor holder or beneficiary of your TFSA.  Have a question about anything retirement related? Drop a comment, and we’ll try to cover it in a future episode!  ️ Read Aaron Hector's article hereTimestamps  00:00 Intro  00:36 Contributing inheritance to spouse's TFSA  02:31 Buffer to hold before thinking of generational wealth  07:03 Smart ways to share wealth with children  10:13 Tax implications of passing principal residence after death  13:35 Can you name a successor holder and beneficiary?  16:34 What happens to spouse's TFSA limit when I pass away?  18:50 How to plan when there's an age gap  23:47 Any reason to convert RRSP to RRIF before 65?  28:43 Factors to consider for partial RRSP conversion in early 60s  34:54 How much should you be saving?  40:00 Foreign pension income splitting  43:48 Spending in the go-go, slow-go, and no-go phases  52:34 Beneficiary designation of U.S. spouse on TFSA  1:00:29 Keeping employer healthcare plan in retirement

    1h 5m

  6. JAN 3

    017 | The Right Way To Draw Down Your RRSP And RRIF In Retirement

    Retirement planning does not stop once you leave work. In many ways, it becomes even more important. In this episode, Adam and Kyle answer real listener questions about RRSPs, RRIFs, income splitting, government benefits, and tax-efficient withdrawal planning in retirement. Key moments include: • RRIF income splitting when spouses are different ages • Whether RRIFs and LIFs still pay dividends after conversion • Handling RRSP withdrawals during a market decline • RRSP to TFSA strategy before and during retirement • CPP child rearing provision and how it works • Leaving RRIFs to charity the right way DISCLAIMER: This content is for informational and educational purposes only and should not be considered financial, investment, tax, or estate planning advice. All investments involve risk, and past performance is not indicative of future results. Any forward-looking statements are based on assumptions and may differ from actual outcomes. Please consult a qualified professional for personalized retirement, tax, or estate planning guidance. Parallel Wealth and Adam Bornn are not responsible for decisions made based on this content. Timestamps00:00 Intro and Overview00:25 RRIF Income Splitting With Different Ages03:43 Dividends After Converting to a RRIF or LIF05:06 Are Advisors Keeping RRSPs High on Purpose?08:04 Is It Too Late To Fix Low-Tax Retirement Years?11:25 RRSP Withdrawals During a Market Decline15:45 RRSP to TFSA Strategy20:30 RRIF Income Splitting and Tax Withholding24:06 RRSP or TFSA for Severance27:53 CPP Child-Rearing Provision29:03 Accuracy of the PWL CPP Calculator30:45 Leaving RRIFs to Charity35:46 Spousal RRSP Attribution Trap38:24 New TFSA Room and Recontributing Withdrawals40:36 Wrap Up

    41 min

  7. 2025-12-27

    016 | TFSA Transfers, RRSP Withdrawal Timing, & Using a Cash Wedge

    This episode of Retirement Unpacked tackles the kinds of retirement questions Canadians actually ask once the details start to matter. Adam and Brett dig into TFSA rules, RRSP withdrawal timing, cash wedge strategies, and CPP decisions, focusing on the tradeoffs and tax considerations that can quietly shape retirement outcomes. Key topics covered:• Moving non registered investments into a TFSA and tax implications• When to start RRSP or RRIF withdrawals• How cash wedge strategies work over time• Using all in one ETFs with a cash wedge• Structuring savings for early retirement flexibility• Supporting generational wealth without risking retirement If you have a retirement question you would like answered in a future episode, submit it in the comments or reach out. We review them every week. DISCLAIMER: This content is for informational and educational purposes only and should not be considered financial, investment, tax, or estate planning advice. All investments involve risk, and past performance is not indicative of future results. Any forward-looking statements are based on assumptions and may differ from actual outcomes. Please consult a qualified professional for personalized retirement, tax, or estate planning guidance. Parallel Wealth and Adam Bornn are not responsible for decisions made based on this content. Chapters00:00 Intro and Overview00:23 Moving Non Registered Dividend Stocks Into a TFSA02:47 Investing Within a TFSA04:48 When to Begin RRSP or RRIF Withdrawals08:45 Do All In One ETFs Work With a Cash Wedge Strategy11:09 Managing a Cash Wedge Throughout Retirement18:29 Refilling a Cash Wedge After a Down Market20:30 Practical Steps to Take When Approaching Retirement25:19 Does Permanent Life Insurance as Retirement Income Make Sense31:13 Do Low Income Years Affect CPP Timing35:29 How to Estimate Your OAS Payment37:50 MERs vs Returns and Understanding Advisor Fees44:44 Can CPP Payments Be Shared Between Spouses48:03 Real World Planning Case on Retirement Flexibility52:59 How to Achieve Generational Wealth57:39 Wrap Up

    58 min

  8. 2025-12-20

    015 | Why Most Retirees Struggle to Spend Their Money

    In this episode of Retirement Unpacked, Adam and financial planner Jon Kutney answer real retirement questions from Canadians navigating the transition from saving to spending. They cover practical retirement income decisions, common tax pitfalls, and how different accounts work together in retirement. Topics include: Shifting from a saving mindset to a spending mindset in retirement RRSP to RRIF withdrawals and income-splitting after age 65 How a cash wedge strategy differs from portfolio rebalancing Leaving money in a corporation vs contributing to an RRSP OAS clawback and when it matters Living off dividends vs structured drawdown strategies How retirement income choices affect estate planning and taxes DISCLAIMER: This content is for informational and educational purposes only and should not be considered financial, investment, tax, or estate planning advice. All investments involve risk, and past performance is not indicative of future results. Any forward-looking statements are based on assumptions and may differ from actual outcomes. Please consult a qualified professional for personalized retirement, tax, or estate planning guidance. Parallel Wealth and Adam Bornn are not responsible for decisions made based on this content. Chapters00:00 Intro and Overview00:22 Multiple TFSAs With Different Institutions01:05 How CRA Tracks TFSA Contributions and Withdrawals03:07 Investing Retained Earnings Inside a Corporation06:21 Why a Savings Mindset Can Hurt Retirement10:36 RRSP to RRIF Timing for Income Splitting13:01 Leave Money in a Corporation or Contribute to an RRSP?17:37 Cash Wedge vs Portfolio Rebalancing23:13 Should You Convert All of Your RRSP to a RRIF?26:10 Using a TFSA to Offset RRIF Taxes29:56 RRSP Withdrawals and OAS Clawback35:18 Living Off Dividends vs RRSP Meltdown38:58 How to Build a Tax Efficient Estate41:29 Power of Attorney and Trusted Contacts in Retirement46:56 Gifting Money to Family Using a TFSA 52:55 Wrap Up

    53 min
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About

Retirement Unpacked is a weekly podcast by Parallel Wealth Financial Group. Our planners break down key retirement topics for Canadians—income strategies, tax planning, CPP, OAS, TFSAs, RRSPs, RRIFs, lifestyle choices, and estate planning. We answer real questions from YouTube, emails, and client conversations, giving you practical insights and strategies to retire with confidence, clarity, and peace of mind. Join us each week as we unpack retirement together.

Information

  • Creator
    Parallel Wealth
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    24
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Parallel Wealth
  • Show Website
    Retirement Unpacked

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