Good morning. Saving for retirement is one thing. Protecting it, investing it wisely and actually being ready to leave work behind are three very different challenges. Today's stories tackle all of them.
On The Money Today:
Why geopolitical risk belongs on your financial radar
The retirement number that still wasn't enough
What happens when your nest egg takes a hit
Let's get into it.
From the TikTok saga to rising tensions with China, O'Leary is sounding the alarm on geopolitical risk and putting his money where his mouth is. He holds gold as a permanent position and counts real estate among his core hedges. With markets this unpredictable, the question isn't whether you need protection in your portfolio. It's whether you have enough.
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Frank is 64, single and has built a $3.1 million retirement fund. By every financial measure, he's ready. So why does stepping away from work feel so hard? Retirement isn't just a money problem — and if your entire sense of purpose is tied to your career, the emotional side of the transition can catch you off guard. Here's what a truly complete retirement plan looks like.
One bad investment wiped out Sabrina's entire retirement nest egg at 54. If you've ever tapped your RRSP early — or worry you might have to — the tax hit alone can be devastating, and the lost compounding is even worse. The good news: with the right moves, there's still time to recover. Here's exactly what rebuilding looks like for Canadians starting over in their 50s.
ALSO MAKING THE ROUNDS TODAY
NEWS: A Montreal-linked fraud ring stole up to $3.5M from elderly victims using a fake family emergency script — here's how to protect your family before the call comes
AUTO INSURANCE: EV owners pay up to $900 more a year to insure their car. What to factor in before you buy
DEBT: Canadians are filing for insolvency at the highest rate since 2009. What to do if debt is becoming unmanageable
INVESTING: Canadians can shelter up to $109,000 in a TFSA tax-free — most are barely using it. How to catch up on your contribution room
REAL ESTATE: Canadian rents are down 4.7% but the average unit has shrunk 35 square feet. Why renters are still feeling the squeeze
HAVE YOUR SAY
Have you ever made an investment decision you later regretted?
That's a wrap for today! Before you go, we'd love to know what you thought of today's newsletter. Hit REPLY if you have more to share — we read every reply.
