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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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Navigating Uncertainty: Capital Gains Tax Changes Leave Taxpayers in a Bind

The recent prorogation of Parliament by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has thrown taxpayers into a state of uncertainty regarding capital gains tax. The Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) continues to enforce the proposed changes, which increase the inclusion rate from 50% to 66.67% for gains over $250,000, despite the legislation not being formally enacted. This leaves taxpayers with two unappealing options: file based on the proposed legislation and potentially overpay, or file based on the previous rules and risk future penalties.

The CRA's decision to uphold the proposed changes, citing consistency and fairness, has frustrated many who made financial decisions based on the anticipated tax hike. With the future of the legislation uncertain, taxpayers are left scrambling to decide the best course of action.

This situation highlights the need for clear and timely legislative processes to avoid such dilemmas in the future. Until then, taxpayers must navigate these murky waters with caution and seek professional advice to mitigate potential risks.






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