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Schilling Financial Specializing in retirement and estate planning. Planning together with expertise and experience.

10/16/2026

Estate planning isn't just about what happens when you're gone.

It's about making sure what you want to have happen happens now, while you are here, or later, when you are gone.

➡ Who do you want to receive your assets?

➡ Should they be divided equally or fairly, and what does that look like?

➡ Would you rather help the people you care about now during your lifetime or later, when you are no longer here?

These are just some of the questions we explore as we build your plan.

If it's been a few years since you have reviewed your estate plan, it might be time to take a look. Let's talk!

As we move into the final few months of the year, many people start to have a much clearer picture of what their income ...
10/14/2026

As we move into the final few months of the year, many people start to have a much clearer picture of what their income will look like for 2026.

Maybe you've retired this year.
Maybe you've worked fewer hours.
Maybe you've received bonuses, pension income, investment income, or taken withdrawals from your accounts.

By October and November, we can often estimate your year-end income much more accurately than we could earlier in the year.

This is when I start having tax planning conversations with many clients.

The goal isn't simply to reduce taxes. It's about looking for opportunities to:

✅ Keep more of your money working for you
✅ Potentially reduce taxes
✅ Preserve government benefits where possible
✅ Avoid surprises at tax time
✅ Coordinate decisions before year-end deadlines arrive

By starting to think about taxes now, you give yourself enough time to make informed decisions before the calendar flips to January.

10/09/2026

🍂 As Thanksgiving approaches, many of us reflect on what matters most.

For most families I work with, the answer isn't investment returns.

It's family.
It's time together.
It's helping children and grandchildren.
It's knowing a surviving spouse will be okay.
It's leaving a legacy.

Financial planning isn't really about money.

Money is just a tool that helps you enjoy the people and experiences that matter most.

This Thanksgiving, I'm grateful for the opportunity to help families build confidence around their financial future.

Happy Thanksgiving from all of us at Schilling Financial.

Should I take CPP at 60? ⬆️ This is one of the most common retirement questions I receive.The answer is different for ev...
10/06/2026

Should I take CPP at 60?

⬆️ This is one of the most common retirement questions I receive.

The answer is different for everyone and depends on factors like…

☑️ Health and life expectancy
☑️ Other retirement income sources
☑️ Tax situation
☑️ Whether you're still working
☑️ Your spouse's retirement income
☑️ And more

For some people, taking CPP early makes sense. For others, delaying can significantly increase lifetime benefits.

There is no one-size-fits-all answer, which is why we don’t believe in one-size-fits-all financial plans.

Have you thought about when you'll start CPP?

One of the biggest misconceptions I hear is:"I need $1 million to retire."The truth is that retirement isn't about a spe...
10/02/2026

One of the biggest misconceptions I hear is:

"I need $1 million to retire."

The truth is that retirement isn't about a specific account balance.

It's about whether your investments, pensions, CPP, OAS and other assets can generate enough income after tax to support the lifestyle you want.

I've seen people retire comfortably with less than they expected and others struggle despite having large portfolios because they didn't have a plan.

The question isn't:

❌ How much do I have?

The question is:

✅ How much income can I generate throughout retirement?

That's where proper retirement planning comes in.

Save this as a reminder that retirement is about more than numbers.

As September comes to a close, it's hard not to notice the change in seasons.The mornings are cooler.The days are a litt...
09/30/2026

As September comes to a close, it's hard not to notice the change in seasons.

The mornings are cooler.

The days are a little shorter.

Life settles back into its familiar rhythm.

In many ways, financial planning is a lot like the changing seasons.

There are times for building. Times for growing. Times for enjoying. And times for preparing for what's ahead.

Each season has its own opportunities, and thoughtful planning helps you make the most of every one of them.

Thank you for following along this month, for reading, commenting, and sharing in these conversations.

Whether you're preparing for retirement, already enjoying it, or simply thinking about what comes next, we hope these posts have encouraged you to pause, reflect, and plan with intention.

Here's to a beautiful fall—and to making the most of every season.

Myth: "I'll pay less tax once I retire."Reality: It depends.Many retirees do find themselves in a lower tax bracket—but ...
09/26/2026

Myth: "I'll pay less tax once I retire."

Reality: It depends.

Many retirees do find themselves in a lower tax bracket—but not everyone.

CPP, OAS, RRIF withdrawals, pensions, investment income, and even the sale of certain assets can all affect the amount of tax you pay in retirement.

We've also seen situations where retirees are surprised by:

• Old Age Security (OAS) clawbacks.
• Larger-than-expected RRIF withdrawals later in life.
• Capital gains triggered by investment changes.
• The tax impact on the surviving spouse after the first death.

The good news?

Many of these situations can be planned for years in advance.

That's one of the reasons retirement planning isn't something you do the year before you retire—it's something that evolves over time.

Good planning today can help create more flexibility tomorrow.

People often ask what a typical day looks like as a financial planner.The truth is...There really isn't one.One meeting ...
09/24/2026

People often ask what a typical day looks like as a financial planner.

The truth is...

There really isn't one.

One meeting might involve helping someone decide if they're financially ready to retire next spring.

The next could be updating an estate plan after the arrival of a first grandchild.

Another might be helping a recently widowed client navigate a difficult transition with confidence.

Every family has different goals. Different concerns. Different dreams for the future.

That's one of the reasons I love what I do.

No two conversations are ever the same, but they all have one thing in common:

Helping people make informed decisions so they can move forward with greater confidence.

I'm incredibly grateful that this is what I get to do every day.

One of the biggest surprises we hear from new retirees has nothing to do with investing.It's this:"I didn't expect to be...
09/22/2026

One of the biggest surprises we hear from new retirees has nothing to do with investing.

It's this:

"I didn't expect to be spending money differently."

Many people assume retirement expenses simply go down.

In reality, they often change.

The daily commute disappears.

Work clothes become less important.

But travel, hobbies, home projects, dining out, and time with family often become a much bigger part of the budget.

That's why retirement planning isn't about replacing one paycheque with another. It's about understanding how your lifestyle will evolve and building an income strategy that supports it.

Your retirement should reflect the life you want—not force you to change it.

We believe that the best retirement plans aren't built around averages; they're built around people.

09/19/2026

When it comes to starting fresh, January gets all the attention. But September is one of our favourite months for financial planning. Here’s why. ⬇️

There's still time to make thoughtful decisions before year-end—without the rush that often comes in December.

Depending on your situation, this might be a good time to:

✅ Review your retirement income strategy.
✅ Consider charitable giving plans.
✅ Look at tax-saving opportunities.
✅ Review your investment mix.
✅ Update your estate planning documents or beneficiary designations.
✅ Make sure you're still on track to meet your goals.

Every family is different, which is why financial planning should never be one-size-fits-all.

Sometimes a few small adjustments today can make a meaningful difference tomorrow.

Don’t wait to review your financial plan. Get in touch so we can take our time.

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Peterborough, ON
K9L0G3

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