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. HACE 11 H

    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

    1 h y 15 min

  2. 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

  3. 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?

    1 h y 2 min

  4. 31 ENE

    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

  5. 24 ENE

    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

  6. 17 ENE

    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

  7. 10 ENE

    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

    1 h y 5 min

  8. 3 ENE

    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
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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.

Información

  • Creador
    Parallel Wealth
  • Años de actividad
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodios
    26
  • Clasificación
    Apto
  • Copyright
    © Parallel Wealth
  • Mostrar sitio web
    Retirement Unpacked

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