The common mistakes in retirement, on the Sunday Reads.

Core Insights - The article discusses common retirement mistakes and emphasizes the importance of avoiding pitfalls during the accumulation and retirement stages [1][6]. Group 1: Common Retirement Mistakes - Many retirement mistakes originate in the accumulation stage and the retirement risk zone [6]. - Investors often take on too much risk, not aligning their investments with their risk tolerance, which can lead to significant losses during market downturns [7][8]. - High fees associated with mutual funds can erode retirement savings, suggesting a shift to lower-cost investment options [11]. - A common misconception is the value of dividends; they do not contribute to wealth creation and can create a tax burden in taxable accounts [12][13]. - Canadian investors often exhibit home bias, concentrating their portfolios in Canadian stocks, which increases risk and reduces diversification [15]. - Concentrated stock portfolios can lead to severe company risk; a diversified portfolio of 15 to 20 stocks is recommended [16]. - Carrying debt into retirement is a prevalent mistake, with 29% of Canadian retirees reportedly still having a mortgage [17]. - Not utilizing spousal RRSP accounts for tax-efficient income splitting is another common oversight [19][20]. - Failing to prepare a portfolio for retirement, or "de-risking," before entering retirement is a frequent error [21]. Group 2: Financial Planning and Strategy - Utilizing a retirement cash flow calculator is essential for optimizing account withdrawals and managing taxes [22]. - The "RRSP/RRIF meltdown strategy" suggests delaying CPP and OAS to maximize pension income, with increases of 42% for CPP and 36% for OAS if delayed until age 70 [23]. - A U-shaped spending plan is recommended, where spending increases in later years due to healthcare costs [25]. - Creating a Life Plan that includes social engagement and purpose is as important as financial planning [26]. - Relying on inheritance as a retirement plan can be risky, as it may not materialize as expected [28]. - Over-gifting to children and grandchildren can jeopardize retirement finances [30]. - Not accounting for inflation in retirement planning can lead to inadequate financial resources during high inflation periods [31]. - Considering annuities can provide a stable income stream in retirement, enhancing financial security [33]. - A Home Equity Line of Credit (HELOC) can be a useful tool for generating tax-free income in retirement [34]. - Matching investments to the cash flow plan is crucial for ensuring that asset allocation aligns with financial needs [35]. - Defensive equities can provide stability in a retirement portfolio, working alongside other asset classes [36]. Group 3: Longevity and Risk Management - Longevity risk is significant, with a 25% chance of living into the 92-115 age cohort upon reaching age 65 [37]. - Proper insurance planning is necessary to protect assets and ensure financial security for surviving spouses [41]. - Estate planning, including having a will and updating beneficiary forms, is critical to avoid costly mistakes [42].