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. 1 DAY AGO

    029 | If You've Maxed Out CPP, Do Not Make This Timing Mistake

    In episode 29 of Retirement Unpacked, Adam and Matthew break down whether delaying OAS is actually worth it, if one spouse should start CPP early when both have the max benefit, how to think about the RRSP meltdown in the real world where markets are volatile, and whether carrying a joint universal life policy through retirement makes sense.Later in the episode, Kyle Martins joins to discuss the process of transferring your investment accounts from one institution to another, and how it's a lot easier than you might think. FP Canada's rate of return assumptions Subscribe to our clips YouTube channel   0:00 Intro0:10 Should you delay OAS?2:56 If both spouses have max CPP, should one start early?6:12 Retiring at 60: Do you have to keep contributing to CPP?8:51 When should you replenish cashflow wedge?13:09 RRSP meltdown with volatile markets21:47 Does savings in US dollars change withdrawal strategy?24:34 Should you retain joint universal life policy through retirement?29:26 Should you have debt, should you get term insurance?33:43 Bank says I can't withdraw more than the RRIF minimum35:57 If you only have CPP & OAS, will you qualify for GIS?39:37 How to transfer accounts between institutions44:04 Successor vs. beneficiary on a TFSA

    47 min

  2. 21 MAR

    028 | Why You Feel Nervous About Retiring (And What To Do)

    In episode 28 of Retirement Unpacked, Brett and Michael break down if children receive any CPP benefit if their parents pass away, when spousal loans make sense, why it's normal to be nervous heading into retirement, if there is any reason to convert your RRSP to a RRIF before 71, and much more.Later in the episode, one of our planners, Paul Grenier, joins to discuss how OAS calculated if you haven't spent a full 40 years in Canada by age 65, and what the effects of delaying are.Chapters0:00 Intro0:25 Do children receive any CPP benefit if parents pass away?2:11 When do spousal loans make sense?8:51 75% stocks/25% guaranteed return for cashflow wedge?12:35 Is it normal to be nervous entering retirement?18:27 Is QPP an option on PWL calculator?19:46 Any reason to convert RRSP to RRIF before 71?27:46 Actual dividend amount or grossed up amount for corporations?30:10 Capital gains consequences if put on house deed?40:50 OAS calculation when you haven't spent full 40 years in Canada45:48 Spousal RRSP to RRIF transfers

    52 min

  3. 14 MAR

    027 | What Market Drop Should Trigger Using Your Cashflow Wedge?

    In episode 27 of Retirement Unpacked, Adam and Jon break down what percentage drop in the market should trigger using your cashflow wedge, whether or not you should start CPP at 60 if you've already maxed it out, what to do when your RRSP has outperformed your planned withdrawals, whether or not you're actually better off with a cashflow wedge, and much more.Later in the episode, one of our planners, Peter Filippakis, joins to discuss the importance of using reasonable assumptions in your plan. Our clips channel: https://www.youtube.com/@ParallelWealthClips 0:00 Intro0:16 What % drop should trigger cashflow wedge?3:18 Maxed out CPP: Should we start at 60?6:30 Drawdown strategy to help out kids9:56 Do spousal RRSP dividends count as contributions?12:43 RRSP returns outpacing my planned withdrawals16:00 Does cashflow wedge underperform?24:49 Spousal RRSP vs. RRSP: Which to drawdown first?31:05 Process when transferring LIF to another institution34:07 Importance of reasonable assumptions in planning

    46 min

  4. 7 MAR

    026 | The Truth About Living On CPP & OAS In Your 80s

    In episode 26 of Retirement Unpacked, Adam and Brett break down future TFSA contribution limit projections, how OAS clawback can affect withdrawal strategy, whether or not CPP and OAS can cover your no-go phase, how much Canadians believe they need to retire, and a much more.Later in the episode, one of our planners, Gord Manzer, joins to discuss the prevalence of AI powered financial scams, and what you can do to protect yourself and your loved ones. Chapters: 0:00 Intro 0:17 Future TFSA contribution limit growth3:54 Cashflow wedge with passive income investing 8:00 In-kind transfer from RRIF to TFSA/non-reg 14:26 Does OAS clawback affect withdrawal strategy? 19:43 Will CPP and OAS cover no-go phase? 25:00 Non-registered vs. universal life policy 33:15 Do you have to start withdrawing from LIF right away? 34:35 Small balance provision for LIFs 42:11 How to avoid tax installments 46:24 AI powered financial scams 59:42 Do you need $1.7M to retire?

    1hr 14min

  5. 28 FEB

    025 | The Hidden OAS Trap Canadians Never See Coming

    In episode 25 of Retirement Unpacked, Adam and Paul break down how OAS clawback works year to year, whether it still makes sense to delay CPP to 70 if you stop contributing early, the best place to park money when you don't need the mandated withdrawals, and much more. Later in the episode, one of our planners, Martin Goudreault, joins to discuss a couple client success stories, and the impact that a retirement plan can have for Canadians.Chapters: 0:00 Intro 1:00 What happens if you die before you start your pension?4:37 Can OAS clawback vary from year to year?7:47 Planning around a large account size gap between spouses10:34 Stopped contributing to CPP early: Does delaying still make sense?14:08 Best ways to deplete RESPs18:53 Moving money from LIF to RRSP22:42 Best place to park money when you don't need it26:35 In-kind transfers from RRIF to TFSA29:42 Delaying CPP to 70: What if spouse passes early?33:55 Client success stories38:27 Warning: Firms are cutting planning, but not fees

    46 min

  6. 21 FEB

    024 | The RRSP Mistake Most Retirees Ignore Until It’s Too Late

    In episode 24 of Retirement Unpacked, Brett and Matthew break down rate of return assumptions and what to do if the market significantly outperforms your plan, why you should drawdown your RRSP/RRIF even if it means forgoing future returns, cashflow wedge planning with a defined benefit pension plan, RRSP meltdown risk if your spouse unexpectedly passes away, and much more. Later in the episode, one of our planners, Michael Barichello, joins to discuss fees in the financial industry, helping you understand how to weigh the costs of a advisor vs. the value they provide.Chapters: 0:00 Intro 00:35 How does RRIF drawdown affect your tax bracket? 3:46 Rate of return assumptions: When markets outperform your plan 12:17 LIF small balance allowance 16:37 Why bother withdrawing from your RRSP/RRIF? 22:49 Spousal RRSP/RRIF attribution rules 26:59 How does life insurance affect planning? 33:47 Cashflow wedge planning with DB plan 40:21 Strong returns increased LIF max. Should I withdraw max? 46:05 RRSP meltdown risk if spouse unexpectedly passes away early 55:02 Can you request withholding tax on RRIF withdrawals? 59:38 How to think about fees and value in financial planning 1:07:48 How to prepare for a meeting with your financial planner

    1hr 15min

  7. 14 FEB

    023 | Retiring With A LIRA, TFSA, RRSP, & Non-Reg: Where Should You Withdraw First?

    In episode 23 of Retirement Unpacked, Adam and Brett break down tax planning strategies for high net worth retirees, how non-registered accounts can become a liability in retirement, how to create a retirement budget and plan for unexpected expenses, tax implications for spousal income transfers, and much more. Later in the episode, one of our planners, Mathieu Huneault, joins to discuss what to consider if your kids are finishing school and you still have a balance in your RESP. More information on LIRAs HERE Adam's article in The Globe and Mail HERE Chapters 00:00 Intro 00:30 Does tax planning matter at the top marginal tax rate? 4:45 Drawdown order with LIRA, TFSA, RRSP, and holding company 9:58 Managing cash wedge in non-registered account 14:31 Do you need RRSP room to unlock a DCPP? 15:16 Do we offer a 'light' plan if you're 10 years from retirement? 18:08 Survivor benefit: Does the deceased need to have been collecting CPP? 20:00 How to create a retirement budget 27:08 Building a cash wedge for a LIF 29:46 Tax implications for spousal income transfers 37:26 What to do with your RESP when kids finish school 46:49 Tax filing if you're expecting a T3

    50 min

  8. 7 FEB

    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?

    1hr 2min
See All (31)

Trailer

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
    31
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Parallel Wealth
  • Show Website
    Retirement Unpacked

You Might Also Like