Canadian Life Insurance Blog

The majority of working Canadians have Employment Insurance (EI) deducted from their wages. This insurance is intended to provide temporary financial assistance to those who are unemployed and looking for work and/or upgrading their skills. EI also provides financial assistance for other reasons though; such as maternity leave, work absence due to illness, caring for a new child, as well as short-term help for those who need to care for a family member who is seriously ill with a significant risk of death.

Compassionate Care Benefits are intended to help those who are employed, but who need a short leave of absence in order to care for a relative that is gravely ill and at risk of dying within 26 weeks. People who are collecting EI at the time can also ask for this benefit. This benefit is payable up to a maximum of 6 weeks; however, it can be shared among eligible family members (i.e. 3 siblings can each claim 2 weeks to be used in succession.) ...

If you're like the majority of  Canadians, funeral planning is not a topic you wish to think about. Whether it's your own funeral, or that of a loved one, it's a subject that we all put off planning. But do you even know how much a typical funeral costs? What are your options? What about pre-paid funerals? These are all questions that do require some thought as well as financial planning, and should also factor into the amount of your life insurance coverage.

Pre-paid funerals do have certain advantages. It ensures that your wishes are specifically carried out, and takes the pressure away from your loved ones of making plans during their time of bereavement. It also removes the financial burden from your family. Pre-paying your own funeral also gives you the time to shop around for the best prices and to decide your own budget. If you do choose this option, make sure you inform your family of these arrangements, who you have pre-paid, ...

For many Canadian seniors, maintaining their independent residence sometimes isn't a feasible option. Health issues may make living alone a dangerous situation for some people. Children and/or caregivers of seniors who are facing this issue may be confused as to what is entailed, what level of care is needed for that individual, and what is covered by provincial insurance and what isn't.

Some seniors may be able to live in their home (at least for a period of time), provided they have In-Home Care services. Many different programs are available; some are funded by government agencies or non-profit organizations, while others are offered by for-profit private service organizations. The home care services that are typically provided include:

• Personal nursing care
• Physiotherapy and/or occupational therapy
• Speech therapy
• Counseling
...

Canadians who have RRSPs have the opportunity to withdraw up to twenty thousand dollars tax free to use as a down payment on a home. This money also does not have to be claimed as income on your tax return. This is a great opportunity for those who wish to be homeowners, but cannot afford to save for the down payment and contribute to their retirement savings.

The Federal Home Buyers Plan is available to those who qualify as "first time" homebuyers. This is defined as any Canadian who has not owned a home that they have occupied as their principal residence for a minimum of five years. You can qualify for the program at any time during the fifth calendar year since owning a home. This rule applies to both you and your spouse regarding previous home ownership. If you have owned a home within the previous five years, but your partner has not, then while you are not eligible, your partner will be. However, if you are using the ...

An important part of any financial plan is dealing with your debt. For most Canadians, debt is a fact of life and is not detrimental to their overall financial goals. However, too much debt can negatively impact financial health. Missing payments may end up hurting your credit rating; as well you may not be able to save and/or invest the money you need to in order to accomplish your long-term goals.

Not all debt should be considered "bad". Debt that is incurred for the purposed of attaining assets that will more than likely increase in value is considered "good" debt. This includes buying a home, borrowing money to invest (stocks, bonds, RRSP's) that can end up making you more money than what you spent on the interest payments. These assets can also be used to secure the debt in order to qualify for lower interest rates. Money borrowed for investment purposes may also be tax-deductible.

Debt that is viewed as "bad" comes in the form ...

Midnight of February 29, 2008 is the deadline for RRSP contributions for the tax year of 2007. RRSPs give Canadians a tax break, as well as letting your hard earned money grow tax-deferred. This differs from capital gains and interest accumulated on other investments, which are added to your taxable income for the year. As RRSPs are deducted from your taxable income, it effectively reduces the total amount that is subject to taxation. Waiting until retirement to cash in your RRSPs means that you are now in a lower income bracket, therefore you will pay less taxes, as your RRSPs are only taxable upon withdrawal.

RRSP is an acronym for Registered Retirement Savings Plan. It is not a specific financial product. It is rather a number of investments that are registered with the federal government specifically earmarked for your retirement. The Income Tax Act has a current list ...

Most people assume that only those with wealth need a financial planner. However, everyone can benefit from professional financial advice, especially when it comes to retirement planning issues. Hiring or consulting with a financial planner can help Canadians avoid costly financial mistakes that can greatly affect their future.

A qualified financial planner will have a broad range of financial knowledge, including such issues as insurance, tax planning, investments and estate law. He or she will be able to help you coordinate your financial strategy with the other relevant parties, such as your estate lawyer, insurance broker, investment professional, etc. The financial planner you choose will be able to cover all aspects of your financial health, and make sure all these areas are sufficiently covered.

It's important to recognize that many provinces do not regulate the term financial planner. There is however a not-for-profit ...

Although planning your will can be an unpleasant idea, it is the only way to protect your loved ones and ensure that your wishes are carried out. Choosing an executor is a very important component of planning your will. The executor (or executors) will be responsible for all the financial arrangements and notifications. It is important that who you choose is aware of what exactly is entailed with this job, and that everyone is comfortable with this decision.

So, who should you choose? You can choose more than one person. You may decide to choose a close friend or relative that you trust, as well as someone who is experienced in financial matters. This can be a wise choice if you have a complex estate that will require the time and effort of more than one person. However, make sure that the co-executors will be able to work together effectively. You can also opt for a family member or friend that you trust to work with a professional in the finance industry who will be paid a set ...

Each January brings with it the usual resolutions: more exercise, spending more time with family, etc. However, January is also a good time to look back at your finances and re-evaluate your financial strategy.

Re-evaluate your health and life insurance coverage. If you have successfully quit smoking/ and or lost a significant amount of weight, you may be eligible for cheaper rates. You  may want to apply for disability insurance so you’re protected in the event of illness or injury.

Review all your insurance policies. For instance, if you belong to AAA Auto Club, which includes a towing service, remove the towing service on your auto insurance. For those who have health insurance as well, you may not need the medical insurance that's included in the your auto ...

As the year 2007 nears the end, it's a good time to evaluate your business. Begin the new year with a detailed business plan in place, as well as defining your goals. Go beyond the profit and loss figures; maybe it's time to research using new suppliers, a new marketing strategy, etc.

Use the arrival of the new year as a time to step back and re-focus. By financially planning for your business, you give yourself an advantage. Being proactive rather than reactive can have positive results. You need to have a budget in place to ensure a positive cash flow. This needs to cover not only expenses such as payroll, but contingencies as well. Money will need to be set aside for taxes, capital expenditures, overhead, etc.

Look ahead to what you wish to accomplish in the coming year. You may wish to buy new computers, or upgrade your technology. This is also a good time to consider whether you need to hire more people to accomplish your ...