RetireMitten Financial

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RetireMitten Financial RetireMitten Financial LLC is a fee-only financial advisor located in Clarkston, MI. We specialize in working with Canadians living in the U.S.

10/12/2026

Social Security at 62, 67, or 70? What Canadians Living in the U.S. Should Do

A bigger Social Security check at 70 sounds appealing. But what if getting there means spending most of your retirement savings?

For Canadians living in the U.S., deciding when to claim also means thinking about CPP, RRSPs, taxes, and your spouse’s benefits.

In this video, I compare Social Security at 62, 67, and 70 and explain:

✅ How much your monthly benefit changes.
✅ When waiting breaks even.
✅ Why limited savings can favor claiming sooner.
✅ How a spouse with little or no U.S. work history changes the household decision.
✅ Why survivor benefits deserve attention.

The right answer may be different for each spouse.

Watch the video to see how these decisions fit together.

Need help building your cross-border retirement plan? Schedule a meeting:
https://retiremitten.com/schedule-a-meeting/

DISCLOSURE
Investment advisory services are offered through RetireMitten Financial Planning, a registered investment adviser. Registration does not imply a certain level of skill or training. This video is for informational purposes only and does not constitute investment advice or a recommendation to buy or sell any security. The views expressed are those of RetireMitten Financial Planning and are subject to change without notice. This video is for educational purposes only and does not constitute personalized investment advice. All investments involve risk, including the potential loss of principal. Past performance is not indicative of future results. Any testimonials or endorsements appearing in this video were given by individuals who may or may not be clients of the firm. For more information, please refer to our Form ADV and privacy policy available at https://retiremitten.com/.

09/30/2026

Can Canadians Collect U.S. Spousal Social Security and CPP?

Canadian living in the U.S.? Your spouse’s Social Security record could be an important part of your retirement income, even if you never worked in the United States.

But before deciding when to file, look at what happens to both spouses’ income.
In my latest video, I explain eligibility, how CPP fits into the picture, and different filing options. I also walk through a hypothetical couple’s benefits at ages 62, 67, and 70, and discuss the income they give up by waiting and how long it takes to catch up.
Watch the video to understand the questions to ask before choosing your filing dates.

Need help combining your Canadian and U.S. retirement income?
Schedule a complimentary consultation: https://retiremitten.com/schedule-a-meeting/

Investment advisory services are offered through RetireMitten Financial Planning, a registered investment adviser. Registration does not imply a certain level of skill or training. This video is for informational purposes only and does not constitute investment advice or a recommendation to buy or sell any security. The views expressed are those of RetireMitten Financial Planning and are subject to change without notice. This video is for educational purposes only and does not constitute personalized investment advice. All investments involve risk, including the potential loss of principal. Past performance is not indicative of future results. Any testimonials or endorsements appearing in this video were given by individuals who may or may not be clients of the firm. For more information, please refer to our Form ADV and privacy policy available at retiremitten.com.

09/16/2026

Canadian in the U.S.: CPP at 60, 65, or 70?

If you're a Canadian living in the U.S., when should you start CPP?

Age 60? 65? Or should you wait until 70?

Waiting can significantly increase your monthly CPP benefit, but that does not automatically mean delaying is the right decision.

In this video, I cover:

- CPP at age 60, 65, and 70
- Breakeven ages
- When taking CPP early may make sense
- Why delaying can be valuable
- Who qualifies for CPP
- The 2026 maximum CPP benefit
- How CPP interacts with U.S. Social Security
- Why you may want to delay Social Security instead of CPP

For many Canadians living in the U.S., the bigger question isn't simply:

“When should I take CPP?”

It's:

“Which retirement benefit is most valuable for me to delay?”

If you'd like help building a coordinated cross-border retirement income plan, you can schedule a meeting here:

https://retiremitten.com/schedule-a-meeting/

RetireMitten Financial Planning
We Simplify Your Cross-Border Retirement.

Disclosure:
Investment advisory services are offered through RetireMitten Financial Planning, a registered investment adviser. Registration does not imply a certain level of skill or training. This video is for informational purposes only and does not constitute investment advice or a recommendation to buy or sell any security. The views expressed are those of RetireMitten Financial Planning and are subject to change without notice. This video is for educational purposes only and does not constitute personalized investment advice. All investments involve risk, including the potential loss of principal. Past performance is not indicative of future results. Any testimonials or endorsements appearing in this video were given by individuals who may or may not be clients of the firm. For more information, please refer to our Form ADV and privacy policy available at https://retiremitten.com/.

09/12/2026

Canadian in the U.S.? Do These 5 Things Before You Retire

Planning to retire in the U.S. within the next year?

For Canadians living in the United States, there are several important decisions I would want to figure out before leaving work.

In this video, I cover the 5 areas I would focus on:

• How much am I actually spending?
• Should I start CPP and OAS?
• Should I convert my RRSP to a RRIF?
• What am I going to do for healthcare?
• What should my tax strategy look like over the next several years?

These decisions are connected, and coordinating them ahead of time can make the transition into retirement much easier.

If you're a Canadian living in the U.S. and want help putting together a cross-border retirement plan, schedule a meeting here:

https://retiremitten.com/schedule-a-meeting/

RetireMitten Financial Planning
We Simplify Your Cross-Border Retirement

DISCLOSURE
Investment advisory services are offered through RetireMitten Financial Planning, a registered investment adviser. Registration does not imply a certain level of skill or training. This video is for informational purposes only and does not constitute investment advice or a recommendation to buy or sell any security. The views expressed are those of RetireMitten Financial Planning and are subject to change without notice. This video is for educational purposes only and does not constitute personalized investment advice. All investments involve risk, including the potential loss of principal. Past performance is not indicative of future results. Any testimonials or endorsements appearing in this video were given by individuals who may or may not be clients of the firm. For more information, please refer to our Form ADV and privacy policy available at https://retiremitten.com/.

08/26/2026

Can a Canadian living in the U.S. retire at age 60?

For a Canadian living in the U.S., the answer involves much more than simply checking your investment balance.

In my newest video, I walk through a hypothetical couple retiring at age 60 with $2 million and show how I would think through their retirement plan.

We cover their spending needs, CPP, OAS, and Social Security, Canadian and U.S. retirement accounts, Roth conversions, and the tax strategy that can help determine whether they're actually ready to retire.

If you're a Canadian living in the U.S. and wondering whether you've saved enough to retire, this video will give you a framework for thinking about that decision.

▶️ Watch the video below.

If you'd like help putting together your own cross-border retirement plan, you can schedule a meeting with our team here:

https://retiremitten.com/schedule-a-meeting/

Disclosure:
Investment advisory services are offered through RetireMitten Financial Planning, a registered investment adviser. Registration does not imply a certain level of skill or training. This video is for informational purposes only and does not constitute investment advice or a recommendation to buy or sell any security. The views expressed are those of RetireMitten Financial Planning and are subject to change without notice. This video is for educational purposes only and does not constitute personalized investment advice. All investments involve risk, including the potential loss of principal. Past performance is not indicative of future results. Any testimonials or endorsements appearing in this video were given by individuals who may or may not be clients of the firm. For more information, please refer to our Form ADV and privacy policy available at RetireMitten Financial Planning: https://retiremitten.com/

08/14/2026

Canadians in the U.S.: How to Spend More in Retirement Without Running Out of Money

You've spent decades saving for retirement.

But when retirement finally arrives, are you actually comfortable spending the money?

For many Canadians living in the U.S., the answer is no.

The fear of running out of money can lead retirees to take fewer trips, postpone major purchases, avoid helping family, and ultimately spend far less than they can actually afford.

In our newest video, I discuss how a well-designed cross-border retirement plan can help you answer a much better question:

How much can I comfortably spend while still feeling confident my money will last?

We cover creating a retirement paycheck, Social Security and CPP timing, coordinating U.S. and Canadian investment accounts, tax-efficient withdrawals, and why maximizing your ending portfolio shouldn't necessarily be the goal.

If you're a Canadian living in the U.S. and you'd like help putting all of these pieces together, this is exactly what our team at RetireMitten specializes in.

👉 Learn more and schedule a meeting with our team:
https://retiremitten.com/schedule-a-meeting/

🌐 https://retiremitten.com/

We Simplify Your Cross-Border Retirement.

Disclosure

Investment advisory services are offered through RetireMitten Financial Planning, a registered investment adviser. Registration does not imply a certain level of skill or training. This video is for informational purposes only and does not constitute investment advice or a recommendation to buy or sell any security. The views expressed are those of RetireMitten Financial Planning and are subject to change without notice. This video is for educational purposes only and does not constitute personalized investment advice. All investments involve risk, including the potential loss of principal. Past performance is not indicative of future results. Any testimonials or endorsements appearing in this video were given by individuals who may or may not be clients of the firm. For more information, please refer to our Form ADV and privacy policy available at https://retiremitten.com/.

07/30/2026

Canadians in the U.S.: Which Retirement Account Should You Withdraw From First?

Many Canadians living in the United States have money spread across RRSPs, LIRAs, 401(k)s, traditional IRAs, Roth IRAs and taxable investment accounts.

A common strategy is to spend taxable investments first, leave tax-deferred accounts untouched and save Roth assets for last. That may work for some retirees—but it can also lead to larger required withdrawals, higher Medicare premiums and a greater future tax burden for a surviving spouse.

In this video, I explain how the different accounts are taxed, where Canadian RRSPs and LIRAs fit into the strategy, and why many retirees may benefit from taking withdrawals from several accounts in the same year.

I also discuss Roth conversions, Canadian withholding taxes, foreign tax credits, and the lower-income planning window that may exist between retirement and the start of required distributions.

There is no single withdrawal order that works for everyone. The right strategy depends on your current and future tax brackets, the size of each account, when you begin Social Security, CPP and OAS, and whether you may eventually return to Canada.

Disclosure

Investment advisory services are offered through RetireMitten Financial Planning, a registered investment adviser. Registration does not imply a certain level of skill or training. This video is for informational purposes only and does not constitute investment advice or a recommendation to buy or sell any security. The views expressed are those of RetireMitten Financial Planning and are subject to change without notice. This video is for educational purposes only and does not constitute personalized investment advice. All investments involve risk, including the potential loss of principal. Past performance is not indicative of future results. Any testimonials or endorsements appearing in this video were given by individuals who may or may not be clients of the firm. For more information, please refer to our Form ADV and privacy policy available at https://retiremitten.com/.

07/20/2026

New Trump Accounts for Canadians Living in the U.S.

The new Trump Accounts may give eligible children a valuable head start on long-term investing—and some may receive a $1,000 contribution from the U.S. government.

But the rules can be more complicated for Canadian families living in the United States.

In this video, I explain:

• Whether Canadian children can qualify
• Which children are eligible for the $1,000
• How parents and grandparents can contribute
• The potential value of decades of compound growth
• How these accounts compare with 529 plans
• The cross-border issues to consider if the child eventually moves to Canada

For many families, opening the account may be worth considering. However, before making significant additional contributions, it is important to understand that Trump Accounts are structured as traditional IRAs and may create future tax and cross-border planning considerations.

You can schedule a complimentary consultation here: https://retiremitten.com/schedule-a-meeting/

Watch the full video to learn how the rules may apply to your family.

DISCLOSURE

Investment advisory services are offered through RetireMitten Financial Planning, a registered investment adviser. Registration does not imply a certain level of skill or training. This video is for informational purposes only and does not constitute investment advice or a recommendation to buy or sell any security. The views expressed are those of RetireMitten Financial Planning and are subject to change without notice. This video is for educational purposes only and does not constitute personalized investment advice. All investments involve risk, including the potential loss of principal. Past performance is not indicative of future results. Any testimonials or endorsements appearing in this video were given by individuals who may or may not be clients of the firm. For more information, please refer to our Form ADV and privacy policy available at https://retiremitten.com/.

07/08/2026

Canadians in the U.S.: Don’t Name Beneficiaries Until You Understand This

One of the most important estate planning decisions you make may not be in your will.

It may be a beneficiary form you filled out years ago and forgot about.

For Canadians living in the U.S., beneficiary planning can be more complicated than it looks. Your U.S. retirement accounts, Canadian RRSPs, taxable accounts, life insurance policies, and beneficiaries may all cross two different tax systems.

In this video, I explain the key beneficiary mistakes Canadians in the U.S. need to understand, including:

- What happens if you die with no beneficiary named
- Why your will may not control certain accounts
- How U.S. accounts like IRAs, 401(k)s, and Roth IRAs should be reviewed
- Why RRSP beneficiary planning can create surprise tax issues
- What happens when a Canadian resident inherits a U.S. account

The mistake with beneficiary forms is often not discovered by you. It is discovered by your family — and by then, it may be too late to fix.

If you are a Canadian living in the U.S., this is an important part of your cross-border retirement and estate planning.

Investment advisory services are offered through RetireMitten Financial Planning, a registered investment adviser. Registration does not imply a certain level of skill or training. This video is for informational purposes only and does not constitute investment advice or a recommendation to buy or sell any security. The views expressed are those of RetireMitten Financial Planning and are subject to change without notice. This video is for educational purposes only and does not constitute personalized investment advice. All investments involve risk, including the potential loss of principal. Past performance is not indicative of future results. Any testimonials or endorsements appearing in this video were given by individuals who may or may not be clients of the firm. For more information, please refer to our Form ADV and privacy policy available at https://retiremitten.com/.

06/16/2026

Why Most Canadians in the U.S. Wait Too Long to Retire.

Many Canadians living in the U.S. are not short on savings.

They are short on clarity.

They may have RRSPs, IRAs, 401(k)s, CPP, OAS, Social Security, taxable accounts, and maybe even benefits or family ties in both countries.

But when it comes time to retire, the real question becomes:

Can I actually stop working with confidence?

In this video, I explain why many Canadians living in the U.S. wait too long to retire — not because they haven’t saved enough, but because the cross-border pieces have never been coordinated into a single plan.

We’ll cover retirement income, withdrawal order, CPP/OAS/Social Security timing, healthcare, taxes, and financial advisors.

The goal is not to retire as early as possible.

The goal is to retire with confidence.

Use our Cross-Border Retirement Calculator here:

https://retiremittencalculator.base44.app/

Or schedule a meeting with our team here:

https://retiremitten.com/schedule-a-meeting/

DISCLOSURE
Investment advisory services are offered through RetireMitten Financial Planning, a registered investment adviser. Registration does not imply a certain level of skill or training. This video is for informational purposes only and does not constitute investment advice or a recommendation to buy or sell any security. The views expressed are those of RetireMitten Financial Planning and are subject to change without notice. This video is for educational purposes only and does not constitute personalized investment advice. All investments involve risk, including the potential loss of principal. Past performance is not indicative of future results. Any testimonials or endorsements appearing in this video were given by individuals who may or may not be clients of the firm. For more information, please refer to our Form ADV and privacy policy available at https://retiremitten.com/

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522 N Main Street
Milford, MI
48381

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+12489350470

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