Protecting Estate Values When Your Investments Decline

After paying off any liabilities, taxes arising at death, last expenses etc., what is left over is what your family will use to maintain the lifestyle that you created for them.

Life Insurance and the Capital Dividend Account

Many business owners are unaware that corporate owned life insurance combined with the Capital Dividend Account (CDA) provides an opportunity to distribute corporate surplus on the death of a shareholder to the surviving shareholders or family members tax-free.

How is Your Retirement Shaping Up?

If you are one of the lucky ones who participate in a pension plan, consider yourself to be very fortunate. Statistics show that only approximately one-third of paid workers in Canada are covered by a registered pension plan. * If your plan is a Defined Benefit Pension Plan (DBPP) you can consider yourself even more fortunate as this is considered to be the crown jewel of pension plans. The other type of plan available is a Defined Contribution Pension Plan (DCPP). So, how do these plans differ?

Family Business Planning Strategies

67% are at Risk of Succession Failure If you are an owner in a family enterprise, the likelihood of your business successfully transitioning to the next generations is not very good. With 80% to 90% of all enterprises in North America being family owned, it is important to address the reasons why transition is difficult.

Deciding Between TFSA and RRSP: Which Investment Option Is Right for You?

One of the most common investment questions Canadians ask themselves today is, “Which is better, TFSA or RRSP”? Here’s the good news - it doesn’t have to be an either-or choice. Why not do both? Below are the features of both plans to help you understand the differences.

Estate Planning Tips for Real Estate Investors

For many Canadians, the majority of their wealth is held in personally owned real estate. For most this will be limited to their principal residence, however, investment in recreational and real estate investment property also forms a substantial part of some estates. Due to the nature of real estate, it is important to utilize estate planning to realize optimum gain and minimize tax implications.