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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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Cross-Border Tax Shake-Up: What It Means for Canadian Investors

A proposed Republican tax change in the United States could significantly impact Canadians who hold U.S.-listed securities. This measure, introduced as a response to what the U.S. perceives as "discriminatory taxes" by foreign nations, including Canada's digital services tax, aims to increase the tax burden on foreign investors. If passed, Canadian investors may face a sudden spike in the taxes owed on their U.S. investments, potentially altering the financial landscape for cross-border portfolios. 

This development underscores the interconnected nature of global financial policies and the importance of staying informed about international tax changes. For Canadian investors, it might be time to reassess strategies and consult financial advisors to navigate these potential shifts.

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