MPS Insurance and Financial Services

08/25/2026

https://www.mpsinsurance.ca/blog-01/what-do-your-next-dollar-financial-order-operations

What do you do when you earn well and have generally dialed in the fundamentals: save, invest, reduce debt, stay protected? The challenge was never knowing what to do. It's knowing what to do first, and in what order.That's a harder question than it looks. Each of these priorities is sound on its ow...

08/20/2026

https://www.mpsinsurance.ca/blog-01/how-retirement-has-changed-over-last-75-years-and-what-it-means-your-plan

Retirement used to mean a short, quiet final chapter. For many people today, it's something else entirely.For much of the last century, retirement followed a fairly predictable pattern: work for decades, retire around age 65, and slow down. Today, that picture looks very different.Retirement has evo...

08/12/2026

Understanding the difference between Old Age Security (OAS) and the Canada Pension Plan (CPP) can help you better prepare for retirement.

Funding
• CPP: Funded by contributions from you and your employer. Benefits are based on your contributions. To contribute, you must generally be age 18+, earn more than $3,500/year, and work outside Quebec (Quebec has the Quebec Pension Plan).
• OAS: Funded by the Government of Canada through general tax revenues. Eligibility generally requires Canadian citizenship or legal residency and at least 10 years of residence in Canada after age 18.

Eligibility & Payments
• CPP: You can start as early as age 60 with a reduced benefit, at 65 with no adjustment, or delay until age 70 for a higher monthly payment. Benefits are based on your contribution history.
• OAS: Generally available at age 65, whether or not you're retired. Delaying to age 70 increases your monthly benefit. Payments are based on your years of Canadian residence after age 18.
• Both CPP and OAS benefits are taxable.

Additional Benefits
• CPP: May include survivor, children's, disability, and post-retirement benefits.
• OAS: May include the Guaranteed Income Supplement (GIS) for eligible low-income seniors, plus the Allowance and Allowance for the Survivor. GIS and Allowance benefits are non-taxable.

Retirement planning doesn't have to be overwhelming. If you have questions about your eligibility, benefit amounts, or your retirement strategy, we're here to help. Contact us to discuss your situation and explore your retirement planning options.

08/09/2026

It's Nathan's birthday today! 🎉

If you get a chance, be sure to wish him a happy birthday and help make his day a little extra special. Wishing you a fantastic day, Nathan!

08/04/2026

Financial Planning for Young Professionals

Your 20s are often seen as a true coming of age when financial responsibility opens up the possibility of turning your dreams into reality. You’re settling into life after university, paying off debts, and starting to really define who you are as a person. But with bills, rent, keeping up social appearances, and other pressures, financial planning is often pushed to the side.

Instead, you may need to take a different approach to your financial goals than previous generations. But what can you do without potentially hurting your future?

Just Start
Excess cash that’s sitting around is begging to be spent on impulse purchases. Instead, investments, even small ones, have the potential to grow over time. Assess where you can minimize expenses to free up investment money that may benefit you in the long run. Set a goal based on your income and goals and go from there.

Long-Term vs. Short-Term
Being able to start saving for retirement in your 20s can be beneficial, but it doesn’t have to be the be-all-end-all. You may also want to set money aside for your shorter-term goals, like paying off student loans, saving for a down payment, starting a family, or traveling. Once you’ve identified your goals, you can build a plan to save for the long-term while still giving yourself the freedom to enjoy life in the moment.

And as for retirement planning, see if your company has an RRSP contribution program or another retirement plan, and try to contribute an amount that will allow you to take advantage of any potential employer match.

Consider Diversifying Your Portfolio
It’s generally believed that attaching yourself to individual stocks opens you up for risk. Spreading your investments across numerous stocks may lessen the impact market volatility can have on your early investments.

Keep in mind that diversification does not ensure profits or protect against losses in declining markets.

Continue to Educate Yourself
The world of investing can be intimidating. But by educating yourself, both on your own and by consulting with a financial professional, you can build your understanding of investment jargon and keep yourself informed.

07/31/2026

We'll be closed Monday for the long weekend so our team can enjoy some time with family and friends.

We'll be back and ready to see you on Tuesday during our regular business hours.

If you're looking for something exciting to do this weekend in YEG, check out Heritage days running August 1-3 at beautiful Hawrelak Park

Wishing everyone a fun, safe, and relaxing long weekend!

www.mpsinsurance.ca
780-439-3600

07/24/2026

Another service we offer our clients is Wealth Planning & Portfolio Analysis, helping support clear, long-term financial planning.

Careful portfolio analysis is necessary to ensure that you have the correct asset allocation according to your objectives and risk tolerance. To achieve an optimal portfolio asset allocation, the individual investor must balance their portfolio goals with their risk tolerance. Owning growth-oriented assets is essential to help offset the long-term risk of inflation, but the rewards of growth also involve the short-term risks of enduring market volatility and uncertainty.

By measuring an investor’s short and long-term investment goals against various investment possibilities and return probabilities, a professional advisor can assist an investor in determining the portfolio mix best suited to their unique situation. Our best investment is in your future and we are constantly aiming at increasing your wealth.

Call our office today if you have questions about your own portfolio asset allocation.

07/21/2026

Festival season in Edmonton just keeps getting better!

Another absolute must-do on our summer list is K-Days, and it’s got everything you need for peak summer fun.

Midway rides, live concerts, classic fair food (yes, the kind you definitely don’t count calories for 😄), games, competitions and shopping! Don't forget the nightly fireworks at 10:30pm!

KDAYS is currently on until July 26. Check it out!

07/16/2026

Festival season is officially in full swing in Edmonton and we’re loving every minute of it!

From patios to live music, pop-ups, and street energy all across the city, there’s something happening around every corner and we’re here for it!

One of our absolute favorites right now is Taste of Edmonton, running until July 26.
It’s the perfect excuse to wander downtown, try something new, and sample your way through some of the city’s best bites all in one place.

If you’re out and about this summer, this one’s a must-do. Good food, good vibes, and peak summer energy!

www.tasteofedm.ca