Create a lasting legacy with a smooth transfer of ownership. A family cottage is a place of cherished memories, where children, and maybe even grandchildren, have grown, swum and played under the stars. As owners grow older, they may begin to think about handing it down to their loved ones. Early planning can help avoid conflict, reduce taxes and ensure the cottage remains in the family for the next generation – and possibly for generations to come. Begin the dialogue There’s

How to Transfer Money to the Next Generation in a Tax Advantaged Manner Combining the growth opportunities of an investment fund with the potential security of an insurance contract. A segregated fund (seg fund) is an investment, a type of insurance product, and estate planning tool all in one. Here’s a quick rundown of the basics. A seg fund is a type of investment that lets you participate in the markets. Like mutual funds, seg funds pool investors’ money together. Poolin

What you need to know about RRSP withdrawals So far we’ve covered opening an RRSP and the ins-and-outs of RRSP contributions. Now, let’s turn our attention to RRSP withdrawals. Did you know…. 1. If you make a withdrawal from an RRSP, you don’t receive the full amount. This is because a withholding tax is deducted from your withdrawal amount. The withholding tax rate that is applied depends on the amount requested to be withdrawn and which province you reside in. 2. Withdrawal

An insurance-based investment that for some, is a perfect fit. The financial world uses a language that can be confusing for people who don’t have a deep understanding of investing. It can be more difficult when it comes to a particular product they may have heard of, but don’t have a firm grasp on its intent or how it works. Segregated funds are a unique kind of investment product and getting acquainted with a few key terms can help boost your knowledge. Segregated fund cont

Testing your knowledge about RRSP contributions How much do you know about Registered Retirement Savings Plans (RRSPs)? Previously, we covered what you need to know before opening an RRSP. Read on to test your knowledge about RRSP contributions. 1. The contribution deadline for the 2018 tax year is March 1, 2019 23:59 (local time). Unlike RESPs and TFSAs, where the contributions have to be made by December 31. 2. Contributions made in the first 60 days of the year can be appl

One of the best ways to maximize your savings is to take advantage of tax-sheltered plans. If you held an investment outside of a tax-deferred plan, you are required to report the following income on your Canadian income tax return: Distributions in the form of interest, dividends or capital gains paid to you by any fund, including those reinvested Gains (or losses) realized when selling or redeeming units or shares of your fund (except conversions of different series of the

What you need to know before opening an RRSP You probably know that a Registered Retirement Saving Plan (RRSP) helps you save for retirement. But how much do you know about RRSPs? Read on to test your knowledge. 1. An RRSP is not an investment. It’s an investment account that can hold a variety of investments including GICs, mutual funds, stocks, bonds and ETFs. 2. You need to have filed an income tax return to open an RRSP. The requirements for opening an RRSP include having

Portfolio managers (also known as investment managers) use various styles and approaches when managing money. Here we examine two well-known methods – fundamental and quantitative. Fundamental investing A portfolio manager who bases their investment decisions on fundamental analysis will attempt to determine a security’s intrinsic value by examining factors that could affect its price. Many focus on aspects that are qualitative and subjective in nature in order to get an “edg

Education Savings: What happens to the money in an RESP if the child doesn’t go to college or university? Many Canadians fear they’ll lose all the money in their RESP if the child doesn’t to university or college. That is not the case if you have an Individual or Family RESP. Note: Those offered by “scholarship plans” work differently and each plan will have its own rules and restrictions. If the beneficiary delays post-secondary education The money invested can simply contin

Understanding alternative investments In an ever-evolving and increasingly complex market environment, investors are actively seeking out opportunities to diversify their sources of return away from traditional equity and fixed income investments. Alternative investments can be fundamental building blocks for a well-constructed portfolio and key components in helping investors achieve their goals. However, because of the wide spectrum of approaches, differing objectives and v