Steps to Avoid the OAS Clawback
According to the Canadian government website, Old Age Security is the largest pension program in Canada. OAS pays a monthly income to seniors who are age 65 and over. The amount of the payment is not based on past income but rather how long you resided in Canada after the age of 18. If you have turned 65 you are eligible for the maximum OAS income if you have resided in Canada for at least 40 years after turning 18 AND have resided in Canada for at least 10 years prior to receiving approval for your OAS pension. There are some exceptions for those who don’t fully qualify based on temporary absences during that requisite 10-year period.
For the last quarter of 2018, the maximum monthly OAS payment regardless of marital status is $600.85. Don’t get too excited as, as the title suggests, the government can clawback part or all of your OAS benefit depending on your taxable income. As of 2018, you can earn up to $75,950 in annual taxable income (up from $74,788 in 2017) without affecting your payment. For every dollar earned over this threshold amount however, you will be taxed (referred to as an OAS recovery tax) at a rate of 15%. Once you reach taxable income in the amount of $ 123,386 the government will have fully recovered or clawed back the entire amount of your Old Age Security. Read more 
Canada Pension Plan – Should You Take it Early?
New Rules governing the Canada Pension Plan took full effect in 2016. Under these rules, the earliest you can take your CPP Pension is age 60, the latest is 70. The standard question regarding CPP remains the same – should I take it early or wait?
If you take it at the earliest age possible, age 60, your CPP income will be reduced by 0.6% each month you receive your benefit prior to age 65. In other words, electing to take your CPP at age 60 will provide an income of 36% less than if you waited until age 65.
CPP benefits may also be delayed until age 70 so delaying your CPP benefits after age 65 will result in an increased income of 0.7% for each month of deferral. As a result, at age 70, the retiree would have additional monthly income of 42% over that what he or she would have had at 65 and approximately 120% more than taking the benefit at age 60. The question now becomes, “how long do you think you will live?” Read more
Wondering if the new mortgage rules are curbing home prices?
I came across this article in the Globe and Mail and thought it was worth sharing. It sheds some light on the impact of higher rates and stricter mortgage rules on home prices.
Worth a read.
How to prepare your finances for maternity leave
By Helen Burnett-Nichols
Expecting your first baby? By all means get the nursery ready — but make sure you put your financial house in order, too.
Preparing for a baby is a time full of celebration, showers and shopping, but the arrival of a little one brings not only added expense for your family but also a noticeable drop in income for many new families. Read more
