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The 4% Rule Just Dropped to 3.9% — But Your RRIF Doesn't Care

  Published August 5, 2026 Morningstar's newest research says retirees can safely start withdrawing 3.9% a year. Ottawa's RRIF rules don't ask what's "safe" — they just tell you how much to take out, whether the math agrees or not. For years, the shortcut retirees leaned on was simple: take out 4% of your portfolio in your first year of retirement, bump it up with inflation every year after, and your savings should last three decades. Morningstar's 2026 State of Retirement Income report just trimmed that number to 3.9%. On its own, that's a small adjustment. On a $500,000 portfolio, it's the difference between withdrawing $19,500 or $20,000 in year one. But for Canadians, the number that actually controls the withdrawal isn't Morningstar's — it's the Canada Revenue Agency's. And once your RRSP becomes a Registered Retirement Income Fund, the CRA's required minimum can blow right past whatever a "safe" withdrawal rate i...
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RESP: A Smart Way to Save for Schooling.


RESP is a great way to save for schooling. RESP stands for Registered Education Savings Plan. It is a government-sponsored investment account that helps parents save for their child’s post-secondary education. One of the key benefits of RESP is that it allows your savings to grow tax-free until the funds are withdrawn. This means that any investment income earned within the RESP is not subject to tax as long as it remains in the plan. Additionally, the government provides grants and incentives to encourage parents to save for their child’s education. For example, the Canada Education Savings Grant (CESG) matches 20% of the contributions made to an RESP, up to a maximum of $500 per year. This can significantly boost your savings over time.


RESPs offer flexibility in terms of investment options. You can choose from a wide range of investment products such as mutual funds, stocks, bonds, and guaranteed investment certificates (GICs). This allows you to tailor your investment strategy based on your risk tolerance and financial goals. Moreover, when it comes time to withdraw funds from the RESP, the earnings are taxed in the hands of the student, who typically has little or no income. Since students usually have a lower tax rate than their parents, this can result in significant tax savings.


In summary, RESP is an excellent way to save for schooling as it offers tax advantages, government grants, and investment flexibility. It provides parents with a structured and efficient means of saving for their child’s post-secondary education while maximizing their savings potential.

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