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RETIREMENT PLANNING ADVISOR: HAVE YOU GIVEN ENOUGH THOUGHT TO YOUR RETIREMENT PLAN?

 

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retirement planning advisor

Retirement planning advisor: Introduction

We’ve written many blogs about Canadians who haven’t saved for their retirement and now find their golden years less than golden. You, on the other hand have been saving, perhaps with the help of a retirement planning advisor. So your retirement should be relaxing and fun filled. Unfortunately that’s not necessarily the case. You may not have given enough thought to your retirement plan.

Retirement planning advisor: When you planned for retirement, how long did you plan for?

Canadians are living much longer than past generations. In fact the fastest growing age group is centenarians (Statistics Canada). And now, new census data reveals that for the first time in history the percentage of seniors (16.9%) now exceeds the number of children (16.6%).

Have you planned for what could be a 30-year retirement? The Government of Canada is recommending just that.

Retirement planning advisor: Do you know how much money you would need to retire?

According to a 2015 BlackRock survey:

  • 40% of Canadians said they only had a general sense of how much money they’d need to retire
  • 33% said they had no idea what-so-ever how much money they’d need to retire

Retirement planning advisor: How much money will you get in government pensions?

Most Canadians depend on Old Age Security (OAS), Canada Pension Plan (CPP) and Guaranteed Income Supplement (GIS) for the all or most of their retirement income. Do you have any idea how much money this amounts to? This federal government calculator will give you a rough estimate of how much income to expect from CPP and Old Age Security once you retire.

Retirement planning advisor: Have you planned for the unexpected?

You may plan to work well into your 60s, 70s or beyond; but what will you do if you have to retire early because:

  • Your health won’t permit you to continue working
  • You have to assume the role of a caregiver for a loved one
  • You or a loved one require additional care

Even though you’ve been saving, it doesn’t mean you’ll have a well funded retirement. When making your retirement plan, take all of the things we’ve discussed in this blog into consideration.

Retirement planning advisor: How to get rid of a troublesome debt load

If you’re still carrying a troublesome debt load, you need more than just a retirement planning advisor. Now is the time to call a professional trustee. The earlier you can out debt behind you, the more you can save. Give the Ira Smith Team a call today and Starting Over, Starting Now your golden years will look a lot more golden.

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Brandon Blog Post

Reverse Mortgage Good Or Bad Idea To Fund Your Retirement

reverse mortgage good or bad idea

Reverse Mortgage Good Or Bad Idea

Reverse Mortgage Good Or Bad Idea: Introduction

There are certainly differing opinions on reverse mortgage good or bad idea. There’s a lot of buzz lately about seniors using a reverse mortgage to fund retirement – on television and radio commercials, articles in magazines and newspapers and on talk shows. But, how much do you really know about reverse mortgages? Most of these promotional pieces are from companies who stand to make money from your reverse mortgage.

The Ira Smith Team is here to give you impartial and balanced advice so that you can make an informed decision whether or not a reverse mortgage is right for you.

Reverse Mortgage Good Or Bad Idea: What is a reverse mortgage?

A reverse mortgage is a loan. It’s designed for home owners who are 55+ so that you can get money without having to sell your house.

Reverse Mortgage Good Or Bad Idea: How does a reverse mortgage work?

A reverse mortgage (loan) is secured by the equity (difference between the value of your home and the unpaid balance of your current mortgage). Based on the equity in your home, you can get cash. And you don’t have to make any payments. Instead of making payments, the interest on your reverse mortgage accumulates and the equity that you have in your home decreases with time. However, if you sell your house or it’s no longer is your principal residence, you must repay the loan and any interest that has accumulated.

Reverse Mortgage Good Or Bad Idea: What are the advantages of a reverse mortgage?

  • You can get cash without having to sell your home
  • You don’t have to make payments on your reverse mortgage
  • It provides you with tax-free income
  • The income from a reverse mortgage doesn’t affect Old-Age Security (OAS) or Guaranteed Income Supplement (GIS) benefits

Reverse Mortgage Good Or Bad Idea: What are the disadvantages of a reverse mortgage?

  • They’re subject to higher interest rates than most other types of mortgages
  • The associated costs are quite high
  • The equity in your home decreases as the interest on your reverse mortgage accumulates
  • At your death your estate will have to repay the loan and interest in full within a limited time

Reverse Mortgage Good Or Bad Idea: Do You Need To Refinance Debt?

As you can see, there are pros and cons to a reverse mortgage and every situation is different. If you’re considering a reverse mortgage to deal with debt contact Ira Smith Trustee & Receiver Inc. There are many ways to deal with debt. As experts we can help you make the best choice and set you on a path to debt free living Starting Over, Starting Now. Make an appointment for a free, no obligation today.

Call a Trustee Now!