Pillar Guides
Long-form, math-grounded guides on the few decisions that actually move the needle in retirement planning for Ontarians. Each guide stands alone — read the one you need.
Asset Location in Ontario: A Complete Guide to Which Investments Belong in Which Account
Most Canadians hold the same investments in all three of their accounts — RRSP, TFSA, and non-registered. That's leaving roughly $100,000 of after-tax wealth on the table over a 30-year accumulation. A clear, math-grounded guide to asset location for Ontarians with $500K+ across multiple accounts.
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TFSA vs RRSP for High Earners in Ontario: The Decision Framework That Actually Works
For Ontarians earning $150K+, the TFSA-vs-RRSP decision is rarely either-or — and the standard 'just pick one' advice gets the math wrong. A complete, plain-English framework for high-earning accumulators on how to actually decide, with 2026 marginal rates.
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When to Take CPP in Canada: The Real Math Behind the 60-vs-70 Decision
Most Canadians take CPP at 60 or 65 — and most of them are wrong. A clear, math-grounded guide to the CPP timing decision: why breakeven analysis misleads, how longevity risk should drive the choice, and how the decision pairs with RRSP drawdown and OAS clawback in Ontario retirement planning.
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OAS Clawback Strategy in Ontario: The $95K Threshold and How to Plan Around It
Once retirement income crosses $95,323 in 2026, every additional dollar costs you 15 cents of OAS. A complete, math-grounded guide to the OAS clawback for Ontarians — how it actually works, who gets hit by it, and the planning moves that keep you under the threshold.
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RRIF Withdrawal Strategy at 71+: A Complete Guide for Ontario Retirees
At 71, every Canadian RRSP must convert to a RRIF, and the government takes over your withdrawal schedule. A clear, math-grounded guide for Ontario retirees: minimum withdrawal rates, the younger-spouse election, the $2,000 pension income credit, withholding tax, and what happens at death.
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The RRSP Meltdown Window: A Complete Guide for Ontario Retirees Aged 60–71
The 5–10 year window between retirement and age 71 is where most Ontarians save or lose six figures in lifetime tax. A clear, math-grounded guide to the RRSP meltdown strategy — when it works, when it backfires, and how to actually run it in Ontario.
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Salary vs Dividends for Ontario Business Owners: The 2026 Decision Framework
The salary-vs-dividends decision isn't really about tax — it's about RRSP room, CPP, mortgage qualification, and what kind of retirement you're building. A complete, math-grounded guide for Ontario incorporated professionals and business owners on how to actually choose.
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Need help applying this to your situation?
These guides cover the math and the structure. The right plan for your specific portfolio, pensions, and longevity outlook is a planning conversation. Marc Pineault is a retirement planner in London, Ontario who works with clients across Canada.
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