Maximizing Your RRSP: Expert Insights from Wiegers Financial & Benefits

As life evolves, so do your financial priorities. At Wiegers Financial & Benefits, we recognize the significance of optimizing your Registered Retirement Savings Plan (RRSP) to help secure your future. By taking a personalized and strategic approach, we ensure your financial plan adapts to your changing needs. In this article, financial planner Kim Chicoine shares valuable tips to help you get the most out of your RRSP and work toward a more confident retirement.

Aligning Your Savings with Your Financial Objectives

Balancing daily expenses with long-term savings can be challenging, but watching your investments grow over time makes it worthwhile. To make the most of your RRSP, consider diversifying with a mix of investment options such as guaranteed investment certificates (GICs), mutual funds, segregated funds, stocks, and bonds. These choices, when integrated into your RRSP or Tax-Free Savings Account (TFSA), can align with your risk tolerance and financial goals.

Proven RRSP Strategies to Enhance Your Savings

Automate Your Contributions for Consistent Growth

A simple yet effective way to stay on track with savings is by setting up a Pre-Authorized Chequing (PAC) plan. This method ensures your RRSP contributions happen automatically, treating them like a fixed expense. By contributing regularly, you benefit from dollar-cost averaging, which helps smooth out market fluctuations. You can also schedule annual contribution increases, allowing your savings to grow progressively over time.

Leverage an RRSP Loan to Maximize Contributions

If you haven’t taken full advantage of your RRSP contribution room in previous years, an RRSP loan can be a useful tool. This approach provides additional time for your investments to grow while potentially yielding a tax refund that can help repay the loan. While not suitable for everyone, an RRSP loan can offer key benefits such as:

• Accelerating your retirement savings

• Potentially increasing your overall retirement fund

• Lowering your taxable income through a larger deduction

Consider a Spousal RRSP for Tax Efficiency

For couples, a spousal RRSP can be a strategic way to optimize retirement savings and minimize taxes. The higher-income spouse contributes to the plan and claims the tax deduction, while the lower-income spouse holds ownership of the account. This strategy can help balance income levels in retirement and reduce overall tax liability. However, it’s essential to understand the withdrawal rules, especially for contributions made in the last two years. Consulting with a financial advisor can help determine if this approach suits your situation.

The Importance of Starting Early

Although RRSP season may still be ahead, making contributions early allows your investments more time to benefit from compound growth. Regular contributions not only enhance your retirement fund but also foster disciplined saving habits. If you’re unsure which strategies best fit your financial picture, speaking with an advisor can provide clarity and guidance tailored to your needs.

At Wiegers Financial & Benefits, we’re committed to helping you develop an RRSP strategy that aligns with your long-term financial objectives. Take action today and begin building a secure future.

Kim Chicoine, CFP, B.Comm.
Insurance Representative, Wiegers Financial and Insurance Planning Services Ltd.
Financial Planner, Manulife Wealth Inc.

The opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Manulife Wealth Inc.

The opinions expressed are those of the author and may not necessarily reflect those of Manulife Securities Investment Services Inc.

Mutual funds are offered through Manulife Securities Investment Services Inc. Insurance products and services are offered through Wiegers Financial & Insurance Planning Services Ltd. Banking products and services are offered by referral arrangements through our related company Manulife Bank of Canada.

Wiegers Financial & Benefits: Key Strategies for Effective Financial Planning

When thinking about financial planning, people often focus on exciting aspects like growing their investments or envisioning an ideal retirement. However, they may overlook crucial yet less glamorous details that form the foundation of a secure financial future. Just like a home with stylish upgrades can still have structural weaknesses, a financial plan with overlooked gaps can leave you at risk. Let’s explore some commonly neglected areas and how to address them before they turn into costly mistakes.

Overlooked Aspects of Financial Planning

Inadequate Insurance Protection

Insurance serves as a safeguard within your financial plan, yet many assume that employer-provided coverage is sufficient. In reality, it often falls short. If you have dependents or outstanding debts, lacking adequate life or disability insurance can put you in a vulnerable position. Additionally, umbrella insurance is frequently disregarded but offers valuable protection in case of major liability claims. While insurance may seem like an unnecessary expense, it is an essential component in securing your financial stability.

Neglecting Estate Planning

Estate planning isn’t just for the elderly or wealthy—it’s important for anyone who wants to ensure their loved ones are taken care of. Without a legally sound will, power of attorney, or healthcare directive, critical decisions regarding your assets and medical care could be left to the courts. A well-prepared estate plan ensures that your wishes are carried out and prevents unnecessary stress for your family.

Unrealistic Retirement Planning

Many individuals contribute to retirement accounts without a precise understanding of how much they will need. Common mistakes include underestimating future living costs, overlooking inflation, or ignoring healthcare expenses. A solid retirement strategy involves more than just saving—it requires realistic projections, a diversified investment approach, and, often, the insight of a financial professional.

Lack of Tax Planning

While paying taxes is inevitable, overpaying them is not. Using strategies like tax-efficient investing, maximizing contributions to tax-advantaged accounts, and planning for required minimum distributions can help retain more of your wealth. A financial expert can guide you in navigating tax regulations and identifying ways to enhance your tax efficiency.

Insufficient Emergency Savings

An emergency fund is crucial for handling unexpected financial setbacks, yet many individuals overlook this fundamental element. A sudden expense, such as a medical emergency or vehicle repair, can derail your financial plans if you’re unprepared. Aim to accumulate three to six months’ worth of expenses in a high-yield savings account to prevent relying on credit in difficult times.

Unclear Financial Goals

Simply saving money without a clear objective can hinder progress. Having well-defined financial goals makes planning more effective. Instead of vague aspirations like “saving for a home,” specify goals such as “saving $100,000 for a down payment within five years.” Setting clear targets provides motivation and ensures your actions align with your long-term vision.

Overestimating DIY Financial Planning

Managing finances independently can be effective in some cases, but it’s easy to overlook key details or make costly errors. A professional financial advisor brings expertise, an objective perspective, and a holistic approach to your financial health. Consider them a valuable guide in helping you navigate potential pitfalls and stay on course toward your financial goals.

Proactive Planning Prevents Costly Mistakes

Even minor gaps in financial planning can lead to significant challenges if left unaddressed. The good news? Every shortfall can be corrected with strategic planning and the right guidance. By identifying and resolving these gaps early, you can build a robust and resilient financial future.

The opinions expressed are those of the author and may not necessarily reflect those of Manulife Securities Investment Services Inc.

Mutual funds are offered through Manulife Securities Investment Services Inc. Insurance products and services are offered through Wiegers Financial & Insurance Planning Services Ltd. Banking products and services are offered by referral arrangements through our related company Manulife Bank of Canada.

The opinions expressed are those of the author and may not necessarily reflect those of Manulife Securities Investment Services Inc.

When most people think about what it takes to help protect their loved ones’ financial security, they tend to think about life insurance – and it makes sense. Owning insurance that pays out a lump sum benefit to your beneficiaries in the event of your untimely death is the most effective way to ensure that even when you’re no longer here to contribute to them financially, they’ll be looked after. When an individual wants or needs to purchase life insurance, he or she typically contacts a financial advisor or insurance representative who then conducts a needs analysis to determine the individual’s life insurance needs, applies to one or more insurance companies for it, and then if the individual’s insurance application is approved (including potentially a medical questionnaire and tests), begins paying insurance premiums to keep it in-force.

What a lot of people don’t realize is that as important as it is to purchase sufficient life insurance to protect their loved ones’ financial security after their gone, the group benefits plan you provide your employees likely includes a number of benefits that are also important in helping. Your company’s benefits plan, for example, likely includes a life insurance benefit that amounts to a flat amount or a multiple of each employee’s gross annual income, and that is partly or entirely guaranteed regardless of the employee’s health. This can amount to a relatively significant benefit, though for most people, it is not enough on its own to adequately look after their loved ones financially. A qualified advisor will want to include a person’s group life insurance benefit in a thorough analysis of how much insurance he or she has, and how much is still needed.

But beyond the life insurance you likely provide in your company’s group benefits plan are other benefits that directly or indirectly help care for your employees’ loved ones. Most plans, for example, include short and long-term disability insurance for employees that pay out a benefit each week (in the case of short term disability) or each month (in the case of long term disability) when an employee becomes disabled and is unable to work for an income. This is as beneficial for your employees as it is for their families, given that most families cannot sustain the loss of an income for even a short period of time. When you consider that group disability insurance – unlike Workers’ Compensation Insurance – covers disabilities sustained both on and off the job, the financial security it affords your employees and their families becomes even more apparent.

Most group benefit plans include more than just insurance, though, that benefits the employees’ families. Plans that include Health, Prescription Drug and/or Dental benefits, for example, almost always include coverage (or the option for coverage) for each employee’s dependent spouse and/or children. And in cases when an employee dies when he or she still has coverage under a group benefits plan, there is usually a survivor benefit that continues to afford the employee’s dependents with coverage for one or two years following the death with no insurance premiums required.

In order to really stand out as an employer who cares, you have options to take your benefits plan beyond what’s become standard and, in the process, help improve your competitive position in the war on talent. As just one example, you can supplement your company’s benefits plan with a Health Spending Account and/or Personal Spending Account as a means to providing your employees and their families with the flexibility to choose how to spend wellness dollars. You can add an Employee and Family Assistance Plan (EAFP) to provide a number of important services, including but not limited to counselling. You can add Critical Illness Insurance coverage to your plan – either as a mandatory or voluntary benefit – that provides a lump sum financial benefit to an insured person diagnosed with a covered critical illness. There are other benefit options too that your group benefits advisor should recommend or at least advise you about so you can make the most informed and impactful decision for your own team.

Really, then, by helping to take care of your employees with a group benefits plan, you’re helping take care of their families too. At a time when employees are in the position to choose who they want to work for, and when working for an employer who actively demonstrates care and concern for his or her employees is non-negotiable, it’s important that you make clear what you do for your team. To learn more, please speak with your benefits advisor.

Amanda Getzlaf
Benefits Account Manager, Wiegers Financial and Insurance Planning Services Ltd.