Jana Palm-Rienks - Certified Financial Planner

10/20/2026

RRSP → RRIF: What Most People Don’t Know — Part 3

💡 Which account should you spend first in retirement?

RRSP?
TFSA?
Non-registered investments?

Most people assume there must be a standard order.

There isn’t.

For one person, spending non-registered investments first and leaving the RRSP alone might work perfectly.

For someone else, that could mean allowing their RRSP to grow until future RRIF withdrawals push them into a higher tax bracket.

Sometimes it makes sense to deliberately draw from an RRSP while leaving TFSA money invested.

Sometimes the opposite is true.

And sometimes the best strategy is to take income from several different accounts at the same time.

This is called liquidation order — deciding which assets to use, when to use them, and how much to take from each.

The question isn’t simply:

“Which account should I spend first?”

It’s:

“Which combination gives me the income I need while managing my tax bill over my lifetime?”

10/19/2026

October is Cyber Security Awareness Month and I wanted to remind everyone to be diligent when doing business online. Malware can be running in the background on phones or personal emails and waiting until the perfect time when you are making plans to send or receive a large sum of money. Then the hackers try to intercept the transfer. Often there are many red flags if you know to watch for them. The most obvious being URGENCY and DON'T CALL, ONLY CONTACT BY EMAIL. See info below for proper steps. It's better to be suspicious and wrong, then have your money redirected to hackers.

10/15/2026

RRSP → RRIF: What Most People Don’t Know — Part 2

💡 Your RRIF minimum is a minimum — not a recommendation.

Once you have a RRIF, you’re required to withdraw a minimum amount each year.

But here’s something people often don’t realize:

The government’s required minimum has nothing to do with how much is best for you to withdraw.

There may be years when taking more than the minimum actually makes sense.

Why would anyone voluntarily take extra taxable income?

Because if you’re currently in a lower tax bracket, withdrawing additional RRIF money today may reduce the amount you’re forced to withdraw later when CPP, OAS, pensions and other income are already filling up your tax brackets.

The “right” RRIF withdrawal isn’t necessarily the smallest one you’re allowed to take.

It’s the amount that fits into your overall retirement income and tax plan.

10/12/2026

RRSP → RRIF: What Most People Don’t Know — Part 1

💡 Waiting until 71 to touch your RRSP isn’t always the best strategy.

A lot of people retire and think:

“I don’t need the money yet, so I’ll leave my RRSP alone as long as possible.”

Makes sense, right?

Not always.

If you retire in your early 60s, the years before CPP, OAS and other retirement income begin may actually be some of your lowest-income years.

That can create an opportunity to intentionally withdraw some money from your RRSP while your tax rate is lower.

Otherwise, you may eventually have:

• CPP
• OAS
• Pension income
• Mandatory RRIF withdrawals

…all taxable at the same time.

Sometimes good tax planning means paying some tax earlier to avoid paying more tax later.

The goal isn’t necessarily to pay the least tax this year.

It’s to pay the least tax over your retirement.

10/10/2026

Have a LIRA? Knowing when and how you can access it matters. This quick guide breaks down your options, whether retirement is soon or still years away.

Check out this infographic!

10/06/2026

Health, income, and lifestyle all play a role in CPP/OAS timing. This quick video breaks it down.

Check out this video!

10/01/2026

Whether you’re approaching retirement or supporting a family member who is, understanding the next steps for retirement savings is essential.

When to roll your RSP to a RIF and what income to take from it are essential parts to your Retirement Plan. This can include taking advantage of Pension Credits, even if you are still working at age 65 or older. Did you know there's no MINIMUM age to roll RSP to RIF?

Here's a short video explaining RSP to RIF transition. Please reach out if you have any questions.

Check out this video!

09/21/2026

When it’s time to use RESP savings, strategy matters.

09/17/2026

Hey parents! Want to help your teen learn about credit? Our infographic provides some simple steps.

Check out this infographic!

07/22/2026

Many people tell me Wills are for "old people" (true story). If you have assets--even if you also have debt--and especially if you have children or specific wishes you'd want carried out if you were to pass away, a Will is one of the most important documents you can have.

Hiring a professional is often not as expensive as you may think.

If you die without a Will, the province you live in effectively decides how your estate is administered under provincial law. Don't assume the government knows your wishes when it comes to guardianship, your finances, or how you want your estate handled.