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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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Enhanced Tracking of Foreign Students Urged by Canadian Criminologist

In a recent statement, Kelly Sundberg, a criminologist and professor at Mount Royal University, emphasized the need for Canada to improve its tracking of foreign students. Sundberg, who has experience in inland immigration enforcement for the Canada Border Services Agency, highlighted the vulnerabilities in the current system that allow for potential exploitation by transnational criminals.

The call for better tracking comes in the wake of an investigation by Indian law enforcement agencies into a scheme involving Canadian colleges and the illegal transportation of international students across the Canada-U.S. border. The investigation revealed evidence of human trafficking linked to the tragic deaths of an Indian family near the Manitoba-Minnesota border in January 2022.

Sundberg suggested that collecting biometric data, such as fingerprints and photos, from non-citizens entering Canada and tying this information to their immigration documents could help address these issues. He also stressed the importance of having a system in place to confirm the departure of temporary residents, including international students.

The federal government and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) have yet to comment on the allegations, which have not been proven in court. However, Sundberg's recommendations have sparked a broader discussion on the need for reforms in Canada's immigration system, especially as the country faces increasing scrutiny over illegal border crossings and asylum claims.

As Canada continues to make significant changes to its immigration policies, including cutbacks on the number of student visas issued, the focus on enhancing tracking mechanisms for foreign students remains a critical priority.




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