Edward Jones-Financial Advisor, CFP, Mei Qin

06/06/2026

One of the most common questions about Old Age Security (OAS) is when to start taking it. The standard age is 65, but you can delay until age 70. Each choice affects how much you receive.

Starting at 65 means you begin receiving income earlier. But if you delay, your monthly payments increase by 0.6% for each month you wait, up to a maximum 36% increase at age 70.

So which option is right for you? It depends on several factors unique to your situation. Your current tax rate matters. If you're still working or have other significant income, delaying might make sense. Your total income matters too, because OAS is subject to a clawback if your income exceeds certain thresholds.

If you're approaching 65 and wondering when to start your OAS, reach out. I can help you evaluate your options based on your personal circumstances.

You asked – we answered! Here are the top 10 questions about Old Age Security (OAS)

06/06/2026

Last week's blowout U.S. payroll report underlined the improvement in the U.S. labour market this year, with hiring accelerating and broadening across sectors, signaling a more durable foundation for growth. Canadian employment data were also surprisingly strong, reversing some of the weakness in hiring this year.

How did the markets perform this week? Get the highlights and the latest economic news.

06/04/2026

Before you commit to helping your child financially with a home purchase, it's worth understanding how this decision might ripple through the rest of your financial picture.

1. Your retirement and savings: Large gifts or loans can influence your long-term savings or retirement goals. If you need to liquidate investments to provide a gift, there could be tax consequences you'll want to plan for.

2. Your credit and borrowing capacity: Co-signing affects your own credit and borrowing ability. It shows up on your credit report and could limit what you can access for your own needs or to help other children down the road.

3. Fairness across your family: If you have multiple children or a blended family, you'll also want to think through fairness considerations. How will you ensure equal treatment over time? What happens if you pass away before you're able to help all your children equally?

4. Documentation and protection: Regardless of which approach you take, clear documentation helps avoid family misunderstandings later. This is especially important if you're loaning money or if there's any possibility of a relationship breakdown in your child's future.

If you're considering helping your child buy a home, reach out. I can help you understand the full financial impact and help make sure this decision supports rather than compromises your own future.

Here’s what to consider

06/03/2026

Old Age Security, or OAS, is an important part of retirement income for many Canadians, but how and when you receive it can vary.

Your eligibility is based on residency, not work history. Payment amounts can change over time and may be affected by when you start and how OAS fits with your other income sources.

Understanding these details can help you make more informed retirement decisions.

You asked – we answered! Here are the top 10 questions about Old Age Security (OAS)

06/02/2026

Old Age Security (OAS) doesn't exist in isolation. It interacts with all your other retirement income sources, and understanding these interactions helps you make smarter decisions about your overall retirement strategy.

Here's what to know: OAS benefits may be reduced if your income exceeds certain thresholds. This is called the OAS recovery tax or clawback. For every dollar you earn above the threshold, you lose 15 cents of your OAS benefit.

This means the way you manage your pension income, RRSP/RRIF withdrawals, investment income, and even part-time work can all affect how much OAS you actually keep. Some retirees are surprised to discover that a larger RRIF withdrawal or investment gain pushes them into clawback territory.

Planning your withdrawals, pensions, and savings together helps optimize your retirement income mix. When you coordinate all your income sources strategically, you can often keep more of what you've earned.

If you want to understand how your OAS will work alongside your other retirement income, let's have a conversation. I can help you see the full picture and make decisions that work together.

You asked – we answered! Here are the top 10 questions about Old Age Security (OAS)

06/01/2026

Happy Pride Month! 🌈

This June, we celebrate love, authenticity, and the courage it takes to live as your true self.

Pride is about visibility, acceptance, and progress. It's about creating spaces where everyone feels safe to plan for the life they envision, whether that's marriage, family planning, retirement, or legacy building.

05/31/2026

Trying to predict the perfect moment to invest is tempting. But here's what history tells us: the best market days often show up during the most uncertain times, exactly when many investors are sitting on the sidelines.

Missing even a small number of strong market days over several decades can create a meaningful gap in long-term results. The challenge is that no one can consistently predict which days those will be.

This is why staying invested matters. A long-term approach allows you to participate in market growth over time, rather than risking being out of the market when opportunities emerge.

If you're unsure about staying invested or want to understand what approach fits your timeline, reach out. We can walk through it together.

When considering where to invest your hard-earned money, it's natural to wonder: should I wait for conditions to settle before investing?

05/30/2026

One of the most helpful exercises families can do when budgeting is distinguishing between needs and wants. Your mortgage or rent, groceries, utilities, and transportation costs are essential. They keep your household running.

But wants aren't bad. Dining out, travel, and gifts for family and friends add meaning to life. The key is setting boundaries around them so they don't pull you off course from what's most important to you.

When you prioritize together as a family, you build healthier financial habits. Small adjustments in your discretionary spending can create meaningful savings over time without feeling like deprivation.

If you're looking to align your family's spending with your values and goals, let's talk. We can help you create a budget that reflects what matters most.

These considerations can help you get a handle on how you spend money each month.

05/30/2026

Markets closed last week hopeful that a U.S.–Iran peace deal will finally help unwind the shock to global energy markets seen this year, with equities hitting new record highs and bonds rebounding.

How did the markets perform this week? Get the highlights and the latest economic news.

05/29/2026

Market headlines can be overwhelming. One day it's good news, the next day it's concerning. When you're trying to make sound financial decisions, all that noise can make it hard to know what's right for you.

This is where personalized guidance can make a difference. Your goals, your timeline, and your comfort level with risk are unique to you. A strategy built around your specific situation helps you tune out the daily market chatter and stay focused on what you're working toward.

Working together, we can create a plan that reflects your priorities and helps give you confidence, no matter what's happening in the markets.

Let's build a strategy that's designed for you.

When considering where to invest your hard-earned money, it's natural to wonder: should I wait for conditions to settle before investing?