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1 in 3 Canadians Will Become Disabled Before the Age of 65

Having a source to replace your earned income in the event of an illness or accident is vital considering that on average, 1 in 3 Canadians will become disabled for a period of more than 90 days at least once before the age of 65. For those that are disabled for more than 90 days the average length of that disability is 2.9 years.

If you are one of the approximately 10 million Canadians covered under a group Long Term Disability plan (LTD) it’s important to understand what your coverage provides. Don’t wait until after you’re disabled to read the employee handbook because you could have a few surprises!

Get Your Corporate Dollars Doing Double Duty

Owners of very successful private corporations are well aware of the importance of cash flow. Many are protective of how they allocate corporate capital so that business ventures are adequately funded and investment opportunities are not missed.

The Immediate Financing Arrangement offers an opportunity to provide life insurance coverage and accumulate wealth on a tax-advantaged basis without impairing corporate cash flow.

Why you should buy mortgage insurance through your life insurance advisor

Mortgage life insurance from the major banks can be significantly more expensive when compared to life insurance from an insurance advisor. As well, there are additional advantages to buying life insurance through your advisor including the ability to choose your beneficiary, flexibility and more. See our infographic to learn more about the differences between mortgage life insurance through the bank versus your insurance advisor!

Having Your Cake and Eating it Too

Investing in an uncertain stock market is not for the faint of heart. However, fortunately for Canadians, Segregated Fund products offered by many life insurance companies provide a safety net for nervous investors.

Fund products present some interesting opportunities for people looking to get more security in their investment portfolios without sacrificing their potential for growth.

Pay Attention to your Beneficiary

Naming a beneficiary is a valuable feature of life insurance and segregated funds policies so it is important to carefully choose your beneficiaries.

How To Protect Your Estate

You have spent your life working hard and accumulating wealth for you and your family to enjoy. While you are living you pay taxes annually on both your earned and investment income. But did you know that your assets may also result in a tax liability upon your death or the death of your spouse? In Canada, a taxpayer is deemed to dispose of all of his or her assets at death. If the value of these assets exceeds their cost, then, without proper planning, taxes could be payable.

But the good news is, it might be possible to reduce or at least delay the payment of this tax by organizing or re-allocating certain assets that would result in a tax liability at your death. There is also a way to cost-effectively accumulate tax-free funds to pay all or part of any taxes that may become due upon your death.

Of course, every situation is different, so you should consult with a financial advisor before making any big decisions. Below is a simple guide that will help you structure your estate in the most tax-advantageous method.

What Is The Right Age To Purchase Life Insurance?

Deciding when you should purchase life insurance varies by person and the individual’s circumstance. But there are both benefits and drawbacks to purchasing life insurance at certain ages. Although the general consensus is that you should purchase when you are younger, there is no “wrong” age to consider purchasing life insurance.

That’s a good thing. Chances are your family may change or grow at different stages of your life, prompting you to consider purchasing a certain life insurance policy at different ages. Below we take a look at why it is a good idea to have life insurance at any age.

What Are The Benefits Of Opening A TFSA?

Have you been considering opening a Tax-Free Savings Account (TFSA) to strengthen your retirement plan? Perhaps you are considering opening a TFSA but are not quite sure how it could be used to complement your existing RRSP.

Every individual has a different wealth management strategy and retirement goals, so you should speak to a financial advisor to determine if a TFSA is right for you. Below is a helpful guide to determine if a TFSA would make sense for your wealth management strategy.

The Difference between Segregated Funds and Mutual Funds

Segregated Funds and Mutual Funds often have many of the same benefits however there are key differences you should consider like Maturity and Death Benefit Guarantees.

Is Critical Illness Right for You?

It is probably the most disturbing news an individual can receive during a routine checkup: you have a critical illness and you must receive treatment for it.

Thankfully, Canadians have access to healthcare and can receive treatment without spending an arm and a leg out of pocket. But what if the doctor’s orders also require taking a significant leave from work, leading to income loss? Or what if the rare but recommended treatment requires expensive travel to a clinic across the continent or even out of the country?

Have You Overlooked Assets in Your Estate Planning?

Digital assets are essentially anything that has inherent worth that is also in digital form. What establishes their status as an asset is the fact that they come with a “right to use” (e.g. a password). Without a right to use, they are just considered data. Digital assets could include family photos, air miles, hotel rewards, grocery store points, and especially cryptocurrency.

Don’t Qualify For Traditional Life Insurance? Consider These Options

It’s no secret that traditional life insurance, critical illness insurance and disability insurance offer amazing benefits to those who qualify for the policies. Through these plans, people can protect their families, their businesses, and their livelihoods against the unexpected occurring and disrupting their lives. Unfortunately, however, these policies often don’t extend to people who are facing serious health problems and who may need life insurance the most.

Several years ago, two alternative insurance products were offered to help cover people who may have fallen through the cracks when it comes to life insurance. These two new products fall into one of two insurance product categories: guaranteed issue and simplified issue.