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The 4% Rule Just Dropped to 3.9% — But Your RRIF Doesn't Care

  Published August 5, 2026 Morningstar's newest research says retirees can safely start withdrawing 3.9% a year. Ottawa's RRIF rules don't ask what's "safe" — they just tell you how much to take out, whether the math agrees or not. For years, the shortcut retirees leaned on was simple: take out 4% of your portfolio in your first year of retirement, bump it up with inflation every year after, and your savings should last three decades. Morningstar's 2026 State of Retirement Income report just trimmed that number to 3.9%. On its own, that's a small adjustment. On a $500,000 portfolio, it's the difference between withdrawing $19,500 or $20,000 in year one. But for Canadians, the number that actually controls the withdrawal isn't Morningstar's — it's the Canada Revenue Agency's. And once your RRSP becomes a Registered Retirement Income Fund, the CRA's required minimum can blow right past whatever a "safe" withdrawal rate i...

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Stock Market Update: Record Highs Driven by Nvidia’s Earnings Surge

 

The stock market witnessed a whirlwind week, fueled by the remarkable performance of AI chipmaker Nvidia (NVDA). As the week drew to a close, both the S&P 500 and the Dow Jones Industrial Average achieved fresh record highs.

  • S&P 500: The broad market index inched higher, closing at 5,088.80, surpassing the 5,100 mark for the first time.
  • Dow Jones Industrial Average: The Dow added 62.42 points, reaching an all-time high of 39,131.53.
  • Nasdaq Composite: Although the Nasdaq Composite retreated slightly, closing down 0.3%, it had already notched a fresh 52-week high earlier in the session.

Nvidia’s blowout earnings sent shockwaves through the market, adding approximately $277 billion to the company’s market value. This surge marked the largest single-day gain in Wall Street history. The chipmaker’s shares continued their ascent, bringing the company tantalizingly close to a $2 trillion valuation.

Amidst the AI frenzy, investors are also contemplating the possibility of a US interest rate cut. Federal Reserve officials have hinted at impending cuts, although the timing remains uncertain.

As the solid fourth-quarter earnings season winds down, several companies have impressed Wall Street:

  • Block (SQ): An upbeat earnings forecast from Square led to a 16% jump in the fintech company’s shares.
  • Carvana (CVNA): Investors welcomed the used-car seller’s first annual profit, resulting in a 30% surge in Carvana’s stock.

In summary, Wall Street’s record-breaking week was driven by Nvidia’s stellar performance, and investors are keeping a close eye on interest rate developments. As the market continues to evolve, stay tuned for further updates.


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