The Importance of Critical Illness Insurance in Retirement Planning
There are a number of obstacles that could potentially de-rail a comfortable retirement. These include marriage breakdown, a stock market crash, and being sued. Another huge obstacle would be the diagnosis of a life threatening critical illness affecting you or your spouse. While it might be difficult to insulate yourself against some of the threats to retirement security, Critical Illness insurance goes a long way to mitigate the financial disaster that could result from a change in health as we approach retirement.
Considering that the wealth of many Canadians is comprised of the equity in their homes and the balance of their retirement plans, having to access funds to combat a dreaded illness could put their retirement objectives in jeopardy. Imagine that you are just a few years into or approaching retirement and you or your spouse suffers a stroke. The prognosis is for a long recovery and the cost associated with recovery and care is projected to be substantial. Statistics show that 62,000 Canadians suffer a stroke each year* with over 80% surviving* many of whom would require ongoing care. Since 80% of all strokes happen to Canadians over 60 those unlucky enough could definitely see their retirement funding jeopardized. Read more 
DM – Q4 Portfolio Commentary 2017
Too Far, Too Fast? – Stretched, overdone, long-in-the-tooth. Unprecedented. As gains pile up, such labels are being applied more frequently to stock markets and, with another strong year now in the books, they aren’t likely to be put away anytime soon. Of course, underlying these descriptions is a nagging fear that things are going too well, that today’s growth will eventually be reciprocated in tomorrow’s crash. With the long shadow of the financial crisis still cast across investor memories, bouts of trepidation are understandable.
Click here to read more: DM-Portfolio-Commentary-Q4-17
Provisus – Advisor’s Perspective – Fall 2017
DIVERSITY, NOT JUST FOR YOUR PORTFOLIO – There is an old joke in investment management that if everything in your portfolio went up, then it isn’t diversified enough. The same line of thinking also applies to those who work in the industry as well; if everyone thinks the same way then we could get systemic errors occurring all the time. Thankfully diversity has become a key trait to being a successful asset manager and advisor, along with curiosity, tenacity and integrity.
Click here to read more: Advisor’s Perspective – Fall 2017
Cardinal Update – December 2017
RESEARCH PROCESS IN FOCUS: ENBRIDGE – Enbridge (ENB) shares have underperformed this year. The shares have declined by 12%, while the TSX is up 5%. Shares were as low as $44, but have shown recent strength at $49.50/sh. after some company announcements including a 10% dividend increase for 2018. We continue to see excellent value in ENB in its ability to support and raise its dividend, which is yielding over 5%. Our confidence is driven by our assessment of three perceived issues as well as our evaluation of the strength of ENB’s business model.
COMPANY FOCUS: SIMON PROPERTY GROUP – Simon Property Group (“Simon”) is the world’s largest retail real estate investment trust (“REIT”) with ownership of properties including the Premium Outlets and Mills branded centers, and iconic shopping centers such as The Forum Shops at Caesars.
Click here to read more: Cardinal Update – December 2017
