Talking about money with anyone is difficult. The scale of inheritance involved with the families in the below linked article is life changing for their children. But regardless of whether your Family has been inheriting wealth for generations, one generation or merely aspiring to create wealth in … [Read more...]
Family Money Talks – Cottage Succession
The source of generations of happy memories, the future of the cottage in the lives of an expanding Family can also be the source of worry and angst. Honest Family discussions about the future of the cottage are a sensible starting point. Who is likely to be in? Who is likely rather to be … [Read more...]
What and When Is “Estate Planning”?
For many people it doesn't make sense to work a lifetime to accumulate assets; only to have at least 25% of much of their value confiscated at death or distributed otherwise than in accordance with their wishes. Hard work is what built this country. The desires to succeed; to raise a family; build … [Read more...]
Retirement #3: The Living Standard Retirement Ratio
Notwithstanding the various retirement income planning guides and models referenced in the previous article in this series - their applicability will vary according to the personal circumstances of each retiree or retiring couple. As reported in Rob Carrick's Globe & Mail article of FEB 5th, … [Read more...]
Retirement #2: How much retirement income should be targeted?
The Stanford Research Institute advises planning to replace 75% of one's economic human life value in the event of death, disability or retirement. What does this actually mean? Consider your ability to earn an income akin to a money machine located in your basement. Just as you would insure such … [Read more...]
Tuesday Talks with Brian Etherington: Trusts – A Significant Role in Passing on Wealth
Many parents and grandparents today are concerned about inter-generational wealth planning. Trusts can play a significant role in passing on wealth and/or corporate interests to the next generation(s) in a controlled and private manner. We found the following article "Why you may need or want to … [Read more...]
Transition into First Stage of Retirement Planning: Independence
As we journey through the joys and challenges of Family, Career and Community we seldom take the time from 30,000' to think about the penultimate destination - retirement. The happy news is that 78% of Canadians over age 65 feel good about their overall health and expect to live to age 86. The … [Read more...]
Life Insurance as a Safe and Tax Effective Asset Class
My June 23rd, 2015 article entitled: "Fixed Income Considerations", spoke to how Insured Deposit Funds (IDF's) are forming meaningful portions of the fixed income portfolios of Canadians. An excellent background paper on this subject is: "Life Insurance as an Asset Class" in which its co-authors, … [Read more...]
Philanthropic Giving in Canada Part 6 – Recap
As we have noted in the first article of this series, the three most significant motivating factors behind a donor's gift are a compassion for those in need; a belief in the cause and the tax effectiveness of the gift. Charities and "not for profits" need to develop an understanding of and respect … [Read more...]
Philanthropic Giving in Canada Part 5
Example: The Gift that Keeps on Giving Assume you are considering making a charitable gift of $1 million. If you made that gift today, you would receive an income tax credit for this amount and receive a refund of $500,000, leaving a net cost of $500,000. You could also just make a gift today of … [Read more...]