Madeline Sotoudeh, Financial Advisor - Edward Jones

06/09/2026

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

Most people think of budgeting as managing what's happening right now. But a balanced budget can help do something more important. It creates room for your future.

Finding that little "extra" each month can mean a lot as you move toward reaching your long-term financial goals, like retirement. When you free up even small amounts through smarter spending choices, that money can go toward education savings for your children, building an emergency fund, or contributing more to retirement accounts.

This is where budgeting stops being about restriction and becomes about possibility. It's not just tracking expenses. It's making sure your daily financial decisions support the life you want to build over the next 10, 20, or 30 years.

If you'd like to understand how your day-to-day budget connects to your bigger financial picture, let's have a conversation. I can help you see a path from where you are today to where you want to go.

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

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.

05/30/2026

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.

05/26/2026

If you're planning to move in with your partner, you might be wondering what a cohabitation agreement actually is. Think of it as a clear, written understanding of how you'll handle finances, property, and responsibilities while living together.

A cohabitation agreement typically covers practical questions like:
• Who's responsible for the mortgage or rent?
• How will you split ongoing bills and utilities? What happens to property you each owned before moving in together, or things you buy jointly?
• How will you handle existing debt, and who's responsible for debt you take on together?

The goal isn't to plan for the worst. It's to create clarity so you can focus on building your life together without financial uncertainty getting in the way.

If you're considering moving in with your partner and want to understand how a cohabitation agreement fits into your broader financial picture, let's talk. I can help you think through the financial decisions that matter most.

Edward Jones financial advisors are not lawyers and cannot provide legal advice. A cohabitation agreement is a legally binding document that should be created with the assistance of a qualified lawyer or legal professional. We can help you understand how your financial decisions today connect to your long-term goals and work alongside your legal advisor to support your overall financial strategy.

Do you need a cohabitation agreement? And if so, what should it include? Before we answer those questions, let's first ask, what is a cohabitation agreement?

05/23/2026

Stocks continue to climb despite rising rates.

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

05/21/2026

The transition from earning a paycheque to drawing from investments represents a significant shift. A structured financial plan can help transform uncertainty into clarity through a process that evolves with your life.

Effective retirement planning addresses multiple priorities:

• Housing decisions
• Travel goals
• Family support
• Preparing for unexpected costs

Regular reviews, at least annually or when circumstances change, ensure your plan reflects what's most important to you now.

This approach helps you prepare for milestones, curveballs, and cannonballs: the planned transitions, unexpected challenges, and major life events that require thoughtful reassessment. The result is confidence that your current spending and future goals can align.

At the end of the day, retirement income planning is about what your plan can enable, not what it will limit.

Let's build a retirement plan that supports what matters most to you. Reach out today to start the conversation.

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