Low-income retirement planners need to understand how to maximize government benefits such as Canada Pension Plan (CPP), Old Age Security (OAS) and the Guaranteed Income Supplement (GIS).  Mainstream financial planning targets middle or high-income earners. When applied to low-income earners, it can reduce government benefits and lower retirement income.

John Stapleton, Open PolicyOntario and financial advisor and author, Alexandra MacQueen outline what low-income earners and advisors need to know:

• How to minimize GIS clawbacks when there are other sources of taxable income

• OAS and GIS eligibility for newcomers

• What counts as taxable income and what does not?

• How income from an RRSP can claw-back     benefits, while a non-taxable TFSA will not

• When to apply for CPP and when to draw down from an RRSP

The plain language booklet, Low Income Retirement Planning (2021) supplements this session. This is a recommended workshop for anyone retiring on a low income and those who provide financial advice.

Planning for Retirement on a Low Income