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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 Today: Record Highs as Fed Signals Delay in Rate Cuts



Investors rejoiced today as Wall Street surged to new heights, building upon a record-setting rally. The Federal Reserve’s recent signals of delaying but not slowing down rate cuts fueled the market’s optimism.

Key Highlights:

  1. Fed’s Decision: The Federal Reserve announced its decision to keep interest rates steady, but with a twist. It expects to cut rates three times this year, providing a boost to investor confidence.

  2. Reddit’s IPO: Social media giant Reddit (RDDT) made its public debut on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) today. Priced at $34 per share, the company is now valued at nearly $6.5 billion.

  3. Market Rally: All three major indices – the Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJI), Nasdaq Composite (IXIC), and S&P 500 (GSPC) – closed at new highs. The S&P 500 surpassed the 5,200 level, while the tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite moved up 0.9%.

  4. Inflation Concerns: Despite sticky inflation data, the Fed maintained its outlook for three rate cuts in 2024. Policymakers remain committed to their easing strategy.

  5. Gold Soars: Gold prices (GC=F) jumped to a record above $2,200 an ounce, reflecting investors’ confidence in the Fed’s approach.

  6. AI Growth and Beyond: While AI growth continues to boost tech stocks, other market drivers are likely to come into focus in the coming weeks.

  7. Swiss National Bank’s Move: The Swiss National Bank surprised markets by lowering interest rates, signaling confidence that tightening has peaked in leading economies.

With the next Fed policy meeting scheduled for May, investors will closely monitor economic indicators and corporate developments. As Reddit joins the NYSE, and Micron (MU) shares surge, the market remains dynamic and full of opportunities.

Stay tuned for more updates as the stock market continues its upward trajectory.


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