Recently, I got a pretty basic question on the website. Well, what seemed basic enough. Does WEP also apply to a Canadian who lived in the US, never worked in the US, but collects Social Security spousal benefits due to…
Read More How CPP Impacts Your Spouse’s U.S. Social Security Benefit
As a cross-border financial planner I get one question the most often, “Am I better off retiring in the U.S. or Canada?” Now, there are many non-financial benefits of retiring in both countries. You may have family back in Canada…
When I called a prospective client a week ago, my jaw dropped. "What do you mean you're not going to turn on your CPP benefit?", I asked in amazement. She had been told that CPP reduces her social security benefit,…
"I can travel more!" That was the first thing Anne said when we discovered that she should be receiving an extra $610 per month from Canada. It was a benefit, that her U.S. and Canada financial advisors had missed. The Canadian…
Sheila was advised by her U.S. based financial planner to withdraw her RRSP, and bring it to the U.S. She thought it was a reasonable request. At only $100,000, the RRSP represented only a small part of her total retirement…
Read More The 5 Biggest Cross-Border Planning Mistakes to Avoid In 2022
An interesting question came up the other day while meeting with a family. Will my wife get part of my CPP benefit now or if I were to die first? Here in the U.S., typically if you qualify for a…
In 1984, the U.S. and Canada finalized an agreement that allows a person to qualify for both U.S. Social Security and Canadian retirement benefits. This made it easier for people who worked in both countries to qualify for retirement benefits…
Read More Qualifying For U.S. Social Security, Canada CPP and OAS (Totalization Agreement)
If you worked in both the U.S. and Canada, there is a good chance that you will have both U.S. social security and a Canadian pension. Unfortunately, this brings an added wrinkle regarding when you should turn on each benefit.…
Read More Social Security Strategies When You Also Have a Canadian Pension
Many retirement accounts, different country pensions, exchange rates, and multiple tax rates. Working both in the U.S and Canada sure does make things complicated. However, if you are retiring here in the U.S., your tax situation is much more favorable…
Read More Taxation of Your RRSP, RRIF, CPP, and OAS in the U.S.
Sometimes, as a financial planner, I have to deliver bad news. “We may have to look at cheaper homes.” “Sure, you can retire this year, but you may have to sell the boat.” “No, you can’t buy lotto tickets…
