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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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Trade Tensions Escalate as Trump Maintains Tariffs Amid Ford's Policy Shift

 

In a recent development, U.S. President Donald Trump has decided to keep the 25% tariffs on steel and aluminum imports intact, despite Ontario Premier Doug Ford's decision to lift the electricity tax on U.S.-bound energy. The tariffs, initially imposed as part of a broader trade strategy, have been a point of contention between the two nations.

Ford's move to remove the electricity tax was seen as an olive branch to ease trade tensions. However, Trump's administration has opted to maintain the tariffs, citing the need to protect domestic industries. This decision has sparked mixed reactions, with some applauding the commitment to American manufacturing, while others criticize the potential strain on U.S.-Canada relations.

The ongoing trade dispute underscores the complexities of international economic policies and their far-reaching implications. As both leaders stand firm on their respective stances, the path to resolution remains uncertain.

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