Generations Building Wealth Differently

Can Canadians build wealth in the current economic environment? Over the longer term?  After taxes?  These are important questions anytime but particularly at election time.  The traditional way to build wealth for Canadians families has been to buy a home, pay it off and even leverage the equity to borrow money to invest in the financial markets.  These wealth building exercises occur over a lifetime.  But today, new generations are building wealth differently.

According to Statistics Canada*, total donations on income tax returns increased over 150% in real terms over the past 3 decades. However, despite an increase, only 13% of Canadians reported discussing charitable giving with their advisors, and they would like to have more value-based discussions. Here’s how you can have a more fulsome conversation on charitable giving with your clients:

Back in December 2016, the CRA announced that it considered the payment of fees for registered accounts from non-registered accounts as an “advantage” and would tax accordingly, starting in 2018. They have now changed their minds.

Small businesses are the backbone of the Canadian economy, accounting for *98% of businesses in the country. Accountants and bookkeepers are critical advisors to these small business owners, helping contribute to the company’s success. Managing business finances can be quite stressful for business owners, as handling the books on their own is often intimidating and quite a burden.

The purpose of year-end planning is to reveal the best ways to build, grow, and preserve income and assets. Done well, it puts a focus on avoiding wealth eroders like taxes and inflation. The object is to shore up financial resources well into the 2020s and beyond despite the uncertainties of tax, economic, and political change.

Did you know that 21% of young boomers (ages 55 to 64) have not set anything aside for their retirement while 46% are considering a delayed retirement? This is according to a survey by 2019 DAC Sponsor Franklin Templeton*. That’s why it’s so important for financial advisors and pre-retirees (Gen Z and Boomers) to consider the question – “Should I delay my CPP or even my OAS?” A case study follows.

If the weather and flu season is already getting you down, remember it’s not too late to join us in sunny Puerto Vallarta for the Distinguished Advisor Conference.  We’d like to take this special opportunity to thank our wonderful sponsors who have made it possible for the outstanding educational sessions and speakers to deliver cutting-edge insights at the event. Most importantly, the networking events are outstanding. Your next big business opportunities await you.