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Retirement Unpacked

Parallel Wealth
Retirement Unpacked
Latest episode

52 episodes

  • Retirement Unpacked

    050 | Stop Overcomplicating Your Retirement (Do This Instead)

    2026-08-22 | 1h 6 mins.
    On episode 50 of Retirement Unpacked, Adam Bornn and Brett Martinson discuss DIY retirement planning software options for Canadians, whether extended health and dental coverage is worth it for retirees, how retiring with two pensions can change withdrawal strategy, and much more.
    Later in the episode, Gord Manzer joins the show to discuss some of the unique considerations when retiring partway through the year, including income planning, tax planning, capital gains and losses, and preparing for the year ahead.
    How much cash should you keep in your portfolio?: https://www.moneysense.ca/columns/ask-a-planner/how-much-cash-should-you-keep-in-your-portfolio/

    Our free decumulation 101 course: https://www.parallelwealth.com/offers/VzwEVF5b/checkout
    Work with our team: https://www.parallelwealth.com/planning
    Chapters:
    0:00 Intro
    0:24 DIY retirement planning software
    4:54 Reducing OAS clawback with form T1213OAS
    10:46 Health and dental coverage in retirement: Is it worth it?
    17:36 Does reinvesting dividends count as a trade?
    20:26 Do you need to convert your entire RRSP to a RRIF?
    26:59 How does two pensions change your retirement plan
    33:03 Naming younger spouse for your RRIF minimum
    37:29 Should you put your tax refund into your TFSA
    42:08 What should you do with your investments before passing away?
    47:12 How to calculate your CPP dropout years
    52:08 Considerations when retiring mid year
    56:18 How much cash should you keep in your portfolio?
  • Retirement Unpacked

    049 | How To Actually Use A Cashflow Wedge In Retirement

    2026-08-15 | 52 mins.
    On episode 49 of Retirement Unpacked, Paul Grenier and Jon Kutney discuss the Home Buyers' Plan vs. the FHSA and how these tools can be used if you're close to or in retirement, the cashflow wedge (of course), how spousal RRSPs work in retirement, and much more.

    Later in the episode, Peter Filippakis   joins the show to do a deeper dive into what the cashflow wedge actually is, how much you need to have, and how it actually works in your retirement.
     
    Chapters
    0:00 Intro
    0:41 Can a money market fund be used as your cashflow wedge?
    4:18 Home Buyers' Plan vs. FHSA
    6:51 FHSA rollover into RRSP
    8:48 Should you apply for OAS if you're going to get clawed back?
    12:06 Options when repaying Home Buyers' Plan
    15:34 For a 70/30 portfolio, is the 30% your cashflow wedge?
    18:18 Should your cashflow wedge be in real or nominal dollars?
    22:46 Cashflow wedge explained: What it is, how much you need, and how it works
    31:27 Will the government increase the TFSA limit in the future?
    34:20 What is it like being a financial planner?
    41:13 How spousal RRSPs work in retirement
    45:33 Should we prioritize our RRSP or TFSA?
  • Retirement Unpacked

    048 | What Really Happens To CPP When You Retire Early

    2026-08-08 | 50 mins.
    On episode 48 of Retirement Unpacked, Adam Bornn and Mathieu Huneault discuss how retiring early affects CPP and non-contributory years, what to consider if you have multiple RRSP accounts, why most retirees should consolidate their accounts, when it makes sense to convert your RRSP to a RRIF, and what to do if you took CPP early and realize you made a mistake.
    Later in the episode, Michael Barichello joins the show to discuss a real case study where the client was set on starting CPP early. He discusses how the goal isn’t to find the “right” CPP decision, but to understand the trade-offs, see how starting at different ages impacts the overall plan, and make an informed decision.
    Chapters0:00 Intro
    0:34 Why delay CPP if you already have a pension?
    3:37 Delaying CPP: Do ages 65 to 70 count as non-contributory years?
    4:52 How does retiring early affect CPP?
    7:05 What happens if you have multiple RRSPs?
    10:42 Should you convert to a RRIF prior to 65?
    15:36 Retiring with 2 pensions: should I convert my RRSP now?
    18:36 RRIF withdrawals: Should you put money back into an RRSP?
    24:54 RRIF vs. non-registered accounts: Understanding the tax differences
    30:50 Do you need a cashflow wedge if you have a pension?
    37:22 I made mistake of starting CPP at 60, should I delay OAS?
    39:57 A real CPP timing case study
    43:46 Tax implications of converting a property to your principal residence
  • Retirement Unpacked

    047 | Before You Downsize In Retirement, Watch This

    2026-08-01 | 1h 27 mins.
    In episode 47 of Retirement Unpacked, Brett Martinson and Matthew Dennis discuss whether you should make your spouse a joint owner of your non-registered account, the key considerations before downsizing your home and renting, LIRA unlocking rules and how they vary by province, tax loopholes versus legitimate tax planning, and much more.
     
    Later in the episode, Gord Manzer joins the show to discuss what to expect from a retirement plan when you're still 10+ years away from retiring, why plans change over time, and how to use that information to make better financial decisions today.
    Chapters:
    0:00 Intro
    1:22 Non-registered accounts: should you make them joint?
    10:28 Selling house: should I downsize or rent?
    18:19 Can you transfer investments in-kind from RRIF to TFSA?
    23:44 Should I name my estate the beneficiary on my RRSP?
    32:25 LIRA unlocking rules: every province is different
    40:36 RRSP meltdown strategies for high-income earners
    46:32 Tax loopholes: what's legal vs. what's risky
    1:01:03 Can the FHSA be used as a tool for retirement
    1:05:36 Planning for retirement 10+ years away
    1:19:07 CPP survivor benefits explained: does delaying CPP hurt you?
  • Retirement Unpacked

    046 | Brutally Honest CPP Advice Every Canadian Needs To Hear

    2026-07-25 | 43 mins.
    In episode 46 of Retirement Unpacked, Adam Bornn and Kyle Martins discuss how CPP adjusts for inflation, the risk of delaying to 70, how to manage and replenish your cashflow wedge as you walk through retirement, the trade-offs of selling your home to rent, where to save after maxing out your RRSP and TFSA, and much more.
    Later in the episode, Paul Grenier joins the show to discuss a unique client situation where a 65 year old used the Home Buyers’ Plan to withdraw from her RRSP and purchase a home. He explains why she was eligible, how the strategy fit into her retirement plan, and why you shouldn’t assume you don’t qualify for certain government programs.

    Chapters
    0:00 Intro
    0:24 CPP inflation adjustments explained
    3:11 How the CPP survivor benefit works
    5:52 The risk of delaying CPP to 70
    8:27 Should my holding company be out of the market?
    11:47 How to manage your cashflow wedge during strong markets
    14:41 How to replenish your cashflow wedge
    17:03 Can bonds be used as your cashflow wedge?
    20:59 Spousal RRSP strategy before retiring
    24:15 The trade-offs of selling your home to rent
    29:01 Where to save after maxing out your RRSP and TFSA
    32:10 Using the Home Buyers' Plan at age 65 (case study)
    38:50 The tax benefits of donating investments in-kind
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About Retirement Unpacked
Retirement Unpacked is a weekly podcast by Parallel Wealth Financial Group. Our planners break down key retirement topics for Canadians—income strategies, tax planning, CPP, OAS, TFSAs, RRSPs, RRIFs, lifestyle choices, and estate planning. We answer real questions from YouTube, emails, and client conversations, giving you practical insights and strategies to retire with confidence, clarity, and peace of mind. Join us each week as we unpack retirement together.
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