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HomeRetirementInflation a scourge for retirees? Ottawa’s silver lining(s)

Inflation a scourge for retirees? Ottawa’s silver lining(s)


Rising RRSP contribution limits

Inflation additionally influences RRSP most contribution financial savings limits. In 2021, the restrict was $27,830. For 2024, it’s $31,560, which is a distinction of 13.4%. Over an identical time interval, 2018 to 2021, it rose from $26,230 to $27,830, a distinction of 5.7%. 

“Thus, latest inflation triggered the RRSP restrict to greater than double over an identical time interval,” Ardrey concludes. “This in fact can enhance your tax-deferred financial savings and in addition your annual tax deduction in your RRSP contribution.” 

OAS clawback threshold additionally rises

Among the many goodies that can attraction to Canadian retirees is the rising threshold the place they might encounter clawbacks of OAS advantages. Many retired {couples} in Canada pay shut consideration to this on the finish of each calendar yr. 

The aim is for every member to maximise retirement earnings from all sources (pensions, investments, and so forth.) however to remain barely under the purpose the place Ottawa begins clawing again OAS advantages. 

In any case, OAS funds are for a lot of a welcomed $690-a-month fee (that’s earlier than tax) or $8,300 a yr, and it’s inflation-indexed in addition. In 2020, the edge at which OAS advantages started to get clawed again was $79,054, in response to Hector, however that quantity has risen yearly: to $86,912 in 2023 and a projected $90,997 in 2024. 

So, senior {couples} with comparable incomes in Canada ought to be capable to earn virtually $182,000 between them earlier than even beginning to see their OAS advantages get clawed again. And if that does occur, that’s what many would describe as a “good drawback to have.” 

Is CPP inflation hedging a cause to take CPP a bit early?

Happily, CPP advantages are not clawed again at any degree, though in fact they’re nonetheless taxable. Right here too, inflation indexing involves the rescue for retirees and semi-retirees. In actual fact, for the second yr in a row semi-retired actuary Fred Vettese argued that Canadian near-retirees hoping to maximise CPP payouts by ready to age 70 would possibly as an alternative take it a yr or two early to reap the benefits of inflation changes that kick in every January. 

Vettese prompt that in late 2022—and extra lately on this article—that these pondering of beginning CPP in 2024 ought to begin it earlier than the brand new yr. He responded in an electronic mail to me: “I decided it undoubtedly made sense to start out it in late 2023 as an alternative. Doing so is price an additional few thousand {dollars}.”

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