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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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Trump Considers 25% Tariffs on Canadian and Mexican Goods Starting February 1

In a significant move, U.S. President Donald Trump has suggested the possibility of imposing a 25% tariff on goods imported from Canada and Mexico as early as February 1. This announcement comes shortly after his inauguration as the 47th President of the United States.

During his first day in office, Trump signed a series of executive orders and hinted at the potential tariffs while addressing concerns about the borders with Canada and Mexico. Although he did not impose the tariffs immediately, he directed federal agencies to investigate and address trade deficits and unfair trade practices by other nations, including Canada and Mexico.

The proposed 25% tariff could have severe economic repercussions for Canada, potentially leading to a recession and requiring government intervention to stabilize the economy. In response, Canada has prepared a plan to impose retaliatory tariffs on $37 billion worth of American goods if Trump proceeds with the trade action.

Finance Minister Dominic LeBlanc expressed cautious optimism, noting that the threat of tariffs might be suspended for now, but emphasized the importance of being prepared for any scenario. The situation remains fluid, and both countries are closely monitoring developments as they unfold.


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