Free Downloadable Guide
Retire on Your Terms
A comprehensive 33-page guide to building a retirement plan that works for your life. Covers registered accounts, compound growth, investment strategies, tax planning, government benefits, worksheets, and life stage action plans. Written for Canadians from young families to pre-retirees.
Free Retirement Planning Guide
A 33-page branded PDF covering everything you need to build a retirement plan that works for your life. Written for Canadians at every stage, from young families to pre-retirees. Includes:
- RRSP vs TFSA vs FHSA comparison with 2025 limits
- Compound growth charts and the real cost of waiting
- Tax-smart withdrawal strategies and OAS clawback avoidance
- CPP, OAS, and GIS benefit breakdowns
- Printable worksheets, investor profile questionnaire, and retirement readiness checklist
In This Guide
Pages
33
Comprehensive guide
Worksheets
3
Printable tools
Account Types
5+
RRSP, TFSA, FHSA & more
Life Stages
4
25 to 55+ action plans
What's Inside the Guide
The guide is structured around the Five Ridge Path framework: Protection, Growth, Tax and Debt Management, Income, and Legacy. Each section builds on the last, giving you a clear roadmap from where you are now to where you want to be at retirement.
The Retirement Reality Check
p. 2Start with the 'Coffee Napkin' calculation: your desired annual income multiplied by 25. A simple starting point that puts a real number on the table before you dive into the details.
The Five Ridge Path Framework
p. 3Protection first, then growth, tax management, income planning, and legacy. This is the order that matters, and the guide explains why skipping steps creates risk.
The Canadian Retirement Toolkit
The guide covers five core account types and compares them side-by-side so you can see which ones fit your situation.
| Account | Tax Treatment | 2025 Limit | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| RRSP | Deduction today, taxed on withdrawal | $32,490 | Higher earners expecting lower retirement income |
| TFSA | No deduction, tax-free growth and withdrawal | $7,000 | Flexible savings, any income level |
| FHSA | Deduction + tax-free withdrawal for home | $8,000 | First-time home buyers |
| RESP | No deduction, 20% gov match (CESG) | $2,500 for CESG | Children's education savings |
| Non-Reg | Taxable, but capital gains preferential | No limit | After registered accounts are maxed |
The guide includes a full-page comparison table with spousal options, lifetime limits, and strategic notes for each account type.
Your Biggest Asset Is Time
The guide illustrates exactly how much starting earlier matters, with charts and a real-world comparison that puts the numbers in perspective.
The Cost of Waiting
Investing $500/month at 7% annual return:
Hypothetical illustration only. Actual returns will vary.
The $2.1 Million Truck Decision
One of the guide's most compelling examples: the real cost of a $115,000 truck purchase versus buying a reliable used vehicle and investing the difference.
$2,136,480
Projected portfolio at age 65 (7% return scenario)
The guide includes a full comparison table with 6%, 7%, and 8% return scenarios.
Investment Strategies Made Simple
The guide covers four core strategies and explains why working with an independent advisor matters.
Dollar-Cost Averaging
Invest a fixed amount regularly regardless of market conditions. Removes the guesswork of timing.
Asset Allocation by Life Stage
Age 25-40: growth-oriented. Age 40-55+: gradually shift toward income and stability.
Diversification
Spread investments across asset classes, sectors, and geographies to manage risk.
Rebalancing
Periodically adjust your portfolio back to target allocations as markets shift.
The Independent Advantage
The guide includes a comparison between bank advisors and independent advisors like Five Ridge Financial. Key differences: product shelf breadth, advice model (fee-based vs commission-driven), access to specialized solutions like segregated funds, and the depth of the client relationship.
Tax-Smart Retirement Strategies
Keeping more of what you have earned is just as important as earning it. The guide covers four key tax strategies.
RRSP vs TFSA Prioritization
p. 15When to prioritize each account based on your current and expected future tax bracket. The answer is not always what you think.
Income Splitting in Retirement
p. 15Spousal RRSPs, pension income splitting, and CPP sharing. Strategies to equalize income between partners and reduce the household tax bill.
Drawing Down in the Right Order
p. 15Which accounts to draw from first matters. The guide explains the optimal sequence to minimize lifetime taxes.
OAS Clawback Warning
If your net income exceeds $90,997 (2025), you start losing OAS benefits at a rate of 15 cents per dollar. The guide explains how to structure withdrawals to stay below this threshold.
CPP, OAS, and GIS Breakdown
Government benefits form the foundation of most Canadian retirement plans, but they are not enough on their own. The guide breaks down what you can realistically expect.
CPP (Max 2025)
~$1,365/mo
Average: ~$900/month
OAS (Max 2025)
~$727/mo
Subject to clawback above $90,997
Combined Annual
~$25,000
Not enough for most lifestyles
The guide includes GIS details for lower-income retirees and explains CPP deferral strategies.
Printable Worksheets and Tools
The guide includes three hands-on tools you can print and fill out to assess your own situation.
Personal Retirement Needs Analysis
Calculate your annual expenses, subtract guaranteed income (CPP, OAS, pensions), identify the gap, and determine your target nest egg using the 25x rule.
Current Savings Audit
Inventory all registered accounts (RRSP, TFSA, FHSA, RESP, employer pension) and non-registered assets (GICs, real estate equity, business assets) plus monthly contributions.
Investor Profile Questionnaire
Seven questions that help determine your risk profile, from Conservative to Aggressive Growth. Includes scoring guide and recommended asset allocation percentages for each profile.
Retirement Readiness Checklist
Nine yes-or-no items covering emergency fund, insurance, estate documents, registered accounts, and more. If you check fewer than five, the guide recommends booking a consultation.
Life Stage Action Plans
The guide includes specific action items for each life stage, so you know exactly what to focus on right now.
Building the Foundation
- Emergency fund (3-6 months)
- Life and disability insurance
- Start TFSA and RRSP contributions
- Automate savings
Accelerating Growth
- Maximize registered accounts
- Review insurance coverage
- Consider RESP for children
- Begin non-registered investing
Catching Up & Optimizing
- Catch-up contributions if behind
- Tax-loss harvesting
- Estate planning documents
- CPP deferral analysis
The Home Stretch
- Withdrawal sequence planning
- OAS clawback avoidance
- Income splitting strategies
- Legacy and estate finalization
Common Retirement Myths Debunked
The guide addresses five persistent myths that lead Canadians to under-prepare for retirement.
"CPP and OAS will cover my retirement."
Reality: Combined maximum is roughly $25,000/year. Most Canadians need significantly more to maintain their lifestyle.
"I'm too young to worry about retirement."
Reality: Starting 10 years earlier can more than double your retirement savings due to compound growth.
"You need to be rich to invest."
Reality: Even $200/month invested consistently from age 25 can grow to over $475,000 by age 65.
"My house is my retirement plan."
Reality: You still need somewhere to live. Home equity is illiquid and subject to market conditions.
"I can figure this out from YouTube."
Reality: Generic advice does not account for your tax situation, family structure, or risk profile. Personalized planning matters.
Free Retirement Planning Guide
A 33-page branded PDF covering everything you need to build a retirement plan that works for your life. Written for Canadians at every stage, from young families to pre-retirees. Includes:
- RRSP vs TFSA vs FHSA comparison with 2025 limits
- Compound growth charts and the real cost of waiting
- Tax-smart withdrawal strategies and OAS clawback avoidance
- CPP, OAS, and GIS benefit breakdowns
- Printable worksheets, investor profile questionnaire, and retirement readiness checklist
Disclaimer: This page and the associated guide provide general educational information only. They do not constitute financial, tax, legal, or investment advice. All figures, projections, and examples are hypothetical illustrations and are not guarantees of future performance. Actual results will vary based on individual circumstances, market conditions, and other factors. Consult a licensed financial professional before making any financial decisions. Five Ridge Financial Ltd. is licensed in Alberta, Canada.