https://www.retirezest.com/blog Guides on CPP, OAS, RRSP, TFSA, corporate planning, and withdrawal strategies for Canadian retirees. en-ca Wed, 01 Jul 2026 07:56:59 GMT https://www.retirezest.com/blog/best-canadian-retirement-planning-software https://www.retirezest.com/blog/best-canadian-retirement-planning-software Sat, 06 Jun 2026 00:00:00 GMT A 2026 fact-based look at Canadian retirement planning software — RetireZest, Optiml, ProjectionLab, MaxiFi, Canada.ca — by published price and features. About RetireZest https://www.retirezest.com/blog/what-is-retirezest https://www.retirezest.com/blog/what-is-retirezest Sat, 06 Jun 2026 00:00:00 GMT RetireZest is a free Canadian retirement planning tool that models CPP, OAS, GIS, RRSP, RRIF, TFSA, and corporate accounts under 2026 tax rules. About RetireZest https://www.retirezest.com/blog/can-i-retire-canada https://www.retirezest.com/blog/can-i-retire-canada Sat, 16 May 2026 00:00:00 GMT A practical 3-question test for whether you can retire in Canada — spending vs. income, where that income comes from, and why withdrawal strategy matters. Retirement Planning https://www.retirezest.com/blog/healthcare-costs-retirement-canada https://www.retirezest.com/blog/healthcare-costs-retirement-canada Sun, 03 May 2026 00:00:00 GMT How much should Canadian retirees budget for healthcare? Out-of-pocket costs roughly $2,000–$6,000/year per person, plus drug coverage and long-term care fees by province. Retirement Planning https://www.retirezest.com/blog/retirement-spending-canada https://www.retirezest.com/blog/retirement-spending-canada Fri, 17 Apr 2026 00:00:00 GMT Canadian retirees aged 65+ spend about $78,499/year ($6,540/month) on average — StatCan 2023. See the breakdown by category, couple vs single. Retirement Planning https://www.retirezest.com/blog/ccpc-withdrawal-strategies-cda-rdtoh-grip https://www.retirezest.com/blog/ccpc-withdrawal-strategies-cda-rdtoh-grip Mon, 13 Apr 2026 00:00:00 GMT How CDA, RDTOH, and GRIP work for CCPC owners in retirement. The withdrawal method you choose may affect your lifetime tax bill. Corporate Planning https://www.retirezest.com/blog/how-to-withdraw-money-from-corporation-retirement https://www.retirezest.com/blog/how-to-withdraw-money-from-corporation-retirement Thu, 09 Apr 2026 00:00:00 GMT 5 ways to extract money from your holding company in retirement — capital dividends, RDTOH, salary, dividends, and shareholder loans. Corporate Planning https://www.retirezest.com/blog/zest-score-explained https://www.retirezest.com/blog/zest-score-explained Tue, 07 Apr 2026 00:00:00 GMT The Zest Score is a 0–100 retirement readiness score measuring plan survival, tax efficiency, cushion, and spending reliability. About RetireZest https://www.retirezest.com/blog/retirezest-educational-retirement-planning https://www.retirezest.com/blog/retirezest-educational-retirement-planning Mon, 06 Apr 2026 00:00:00 GMT RetireZest helps Canadians understand CPP, OAS, taxes, and withdrawal strategies through simulation. Educational tool, not financial advice. About RetireZest https://www.retirezest.com/blog/best-province-retire-canada-taxes https://www.retirezest.com/blog/best-province-retire-canada-taxes Sun, 05 Apr 2026 00:00:00 GMT Tax is one piece of where to retire. On tax alone: Ontario wins near $50K, BC near $80K, Alberta at $120K+. 2026 AB/BC/ON/QC comparison. Tax Strategies https://www.retirezest.com/blog/corporate-retirement-planning-canada https://www.retirezest.com/blog/corporate-retirement-planning-canada Sun, 05 Apr 2026 00:00:00 GMT How to draw down your holding company in retirement. RDTOH, CDA, eligible vs non-eligible dividends, and withdrawal strategies. Corporate Planning https://www.retirezest.com/blog/cpp-survivor-benefits-explained https://www.retirezest.com/blog/cpp-survivor-benefits-explained Sun, 05 Apr 2026 00:00:00 GMT When a CPP contributor dies, their spouse may receive a survivor pension. Learn how much, who qualifies, and how it affects your retirement plan. CPP & OAS https://www.retirezest.com/blog/gis-benefits-canada https://www.retirezest.com/blog/gis-benefits-canada Sun, 05 Apr 2026 00:00:00 GMT GIS provides up to $1,109/month tax-free for low-income Canadian seniors. Eligibility rules, income thresholds, and strategies for 2026. CPP & OAS https://www.retirezest.com/blog/how-much-to-retire-canada https://www.retirezest.com/blog/how-much-to-retire-canada Sun, 05 Apr 2026 00:00:00 GMT Your retirement "magic number" depends on lifestyle, province, and household size. Realistic 2026 targets with CPP/OAS factored in. Retirement Planning https://www.retirezest.com/blog/how-to-avoid-gis-clawback https://www.retirezest.com/blog/how-to-avoid-gis-clawback Sun, 05 Apr 2026 00:00:00 GMT The GIS clawback reduces your benefit by 50 cents per dollar of income. 2026 thresholds and strategies to help protect your payments. CPP & OAS https://www.retirezest.com/blog/oas-clawback-explained https://www.retirezest.com/blog/oas-clawback-explained Sun, 05 Apr 2026 00:00:00 GMT OAS clawback starts at $93,454 in 2026 ($95,323 on 2026 income). See the full thresholds, how the 15% recovery tax works, and 7 ways to avoid it. CPP & OAS https://www.retirezest.com/blog/pension-income-splitting-canada https://www.retirezest.com/blog/pension-income-splitting-canada Sun, 05 Apr 2026 00:00:00 GMT Split up to 50% of eligible pension income with your spouse to reduce taxes. Rules, eligibility, and examples for 2026. Tax Strategies https://www.retirezest.com/blog/retirement-income-splitting-couples https://www.retirezest.com/blog/retirement-income-splitting-couples Sun, 05 Apr 2026 00:00:00 GMT Canadian couples can reduce taxes by splitting retirement income. Pension splitting, CPP sharing, TFSA strategies, and coordinated withdrawals. Tax Strategies https://www.retirezest.com/blog/rrif-minimum-withdrawal-rates https://www.retirezest.com/blog/rrif-minimum-withdrawal-rates Sun, 05 Apr 2026 00:00:00 GMT The CRA forces you to withdraw more each year — but the order you draw from RRIF, TFSA, and other accounts matters. 2026 rates by age + 5 strategies. Withdrawal Strategies https://www.retirezest.com/blog/rrsp-meltdown-strategy https://www.retirezest.com/blog/rrsp-meltdown-strategy Sun, 05 Apr 2026 00:00:00 GMT Draw down your RRSP early to avoid higher taxes later. How the meltdown strategy works, who benefits, and how to execute it. Withdrawal Strategies https://www.retirezest.com/blog/rrsp-vs-tfsa-retirement https://www.retirezest.com/blog/rrsp-vs-tfsa-retirement Sun, 05 Apr 2026 00:00:00 GMT Should you withdraw from your RRSP or TFSA first in retirement? It depends on your tax bracket, OAS clawback risk, and long-term plan. Withdrawal Strategies https://www.retirezest.com/blog/sequence-of-returns-risk-canada https://www.retirezest.com/blog/sequence-of-returns-risk-canada Sun, 05 Apr 2026 00:00:00 GMT Two retirees, same 30-year returns — one runs out of money, one doesn't. The difference is when the bad years hit. How to protect yourself. Retirement Planning https://www.retirezest.com/blog/tfsa-retirement-strategy https://www.retirezest.com/blog/tfsa-retirement-strategy Sun, 05 Apr 2026 00:00:00 GMT TFSA contribution limits, withdrawal rules, and strategies for tax-free retirement income in Canada. 2026 rates included. Retirement Planning https://www.retirezest.com/blog/when-to-take-cpp https://www.retirezest.com/blog/when-to-take-cpp Sun, 05 Apr 2026 00:00:00 GMT Taking CPP at 60 cuts your payment 36% (0.6%/month); waiting to 70 adds 42%. See the full age-by-age table, breakeven ages, and how to choose. CPP & OAS