Willems Wealth Planning Group

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You’re 10 years from retirement… but are you actually on track?Most Canadians don’t have a clear benchmark. If anything,...
11/21/2025

You’re 10 years from retirement… but are you actually on track?

Most Canadians don’t have a clear benchmark. If anything, they follow lousy advice built for Americans - Social Security, 401(k)s, different tax systems... and that leaves them guessing.

In this week’s video, I walk through exactly what “on track” looks like at the 10, 5, and 1-year marks before retirement in Canada.
✅ How much you should have saved at each stage
✅ What traps to avoid in your 50s
✅ When to shift from building to preserving
✅ And how to create a spending plan that actually works

This is the video I wish more Canadians saw before they started feeling behind.

Watch the full breakdown here:

Interested in a custom retirement strategy? ➡️ https://willemswealthplanning.ca/start-hereSteve Willems, CFP®, FEA, BAWealth Advisor, Willems Wealth Planning...

You’ve saved. You’ve planned. You’ve hit the number.But once you realize you have enough to retire, a new question shows...
10/03/2025

You’ve saved. You’ve planned. You’ve hit the number.

But once you realize you have enough to retire, a new question shows up...
.. what now?

That’s exactly what I explored in this week’s video with special guest Carl Richards—author, sketch artist, and long-time money thinker behind The New York Times column “The Sketch Guy.”

In this conversation, we talk about:
✅ Why “enough” is rarely a number, and what it actually is
✅ The emotional side of retirement most people never prepare for
✅ How to start spending (yes, spending) in a way that actually feels good
✅ What to do when your values feel like they’re pulling you in opposite directions
✅ And why wealthier folks often struggle more with this stage, not less

We also dig into some of Carl’s best-known sketches - simple visuals that pack real insight, especially if you're in that final chapter before retirement.

Whether you’re already financially independent or nearing it, this chat might change the way you think about the purpose of all that saving.

Watch the full interview here:

Interested in a custom retirement strategy? ➡️ https://willemswealthplanning.ca/start-hereRetirement is about more than money—and for many, that’s the hardes...

Most people assume retirement spending is a straight line—same amount every year, indexed to inflation. But that’s not h...
09/19/2025

Most people assume retirement spending is a straight line—same amount every year, indexed to inflation. But that’s not how it actually works.

If you’ve ever built a real retirement plan (or lived through retirement), you know spending changes over time. And not in a neat, predictable way.

In this week’s video, I break down a better way to think about it:
✅ The three phases of retirement spending (Go-Go, Slow-Go, No-Go)
✅ How your spending really shifts across each stage
✅ Why a static withdrawal model might be setting you up to either underspend or run out too early
✅ And how a dynamic spending plan can give you more flexibility early on without putting later years at risk

We also look at new data from J.P. Morgan’s Guide to Retirement that shows:
👉 60% of retirees experience spending swings of 20% or more in just their first 3 years
👉 And even between 75–80, over half still see big year-to-year changes

In other words: Retirement isn’t static, and your plan shouldn’t be either.

Watch the full breakdown here:

Interested in a custom retirement strategy? ➡️ https://willemswealthplanning.ca/start-hereMost people treat retirement spending like a straight line—but in r...

What if you found out you never had to save another dollar for retirement?Not because you’ve already retired, but becaus...
05/19/2025

What if you found out you never had to save another dollar for retirement?

Not because you’ve already retired, but because your savings could grow on their own from here.

That’s the idea behind Coast FIRE—and it’s becoming a real strategy for a lot of people in their 40s and 50s.

In my latest video, I break down:
✅ What Coast FIRE actually means (and how it’s different from traditional FIRE)
✅ A simple formula to calculate your Coast FIRE number
✅ Why hitting it doesn’t mean you retire—just that saving aggressively becomes optional

We also look at a case study showing how one small tweak—like delaying retirement by a few years—can give you more freedom, flexibility, and options today.

If you’re in a high savings mode and wondering “When can I stop pushing so hard?”, this might be the framework you didn’t know you needed.

Watch the full breakdown here:

Interested in a custom retirement strategy? ➡️ https://willemswealthplanning.ca/start-hereWhat if you could stop saving for retirement today? For some, that’...

If you’re nearing retirement, you’ve probably wondered:Is there a right % of my savings that should be in RRSPs?While th...
04/21/2025

If you’re nearing retirement, you’ve probably wondered:

Is there a right % of my savings that should be in RRSPs?

While there’s no magic number, there is a smart way to figure out if your savings are balanced in the right buckets—so you’re not left with a tax problem down the road.

In my latest video, I break down:
✅ A simple formula to calculate how many years your RRSPs could fund your lifestyle.
✅ How to build out your Retirement, Liquid, Real Estate, and Business “Scores.”
✅ A case study showing how to track these over time—and what your target should be by retirement.

It’s a quick framework you can use as a check-in on your current progress and a roadmap for where to focus next.

Watch the full breakdown here:

Interested in a custom retirement strategy? ➡️ https://willemswealthplanning.ca/start-hereHow much of your retirement savings should be in RRSPs? There’s no ...

What’s the best five-figure expense you can make in retirement?It’s not a new car or home renovation.It’s an extended fa...
03/28/2025

What’s the best five-figure expense you can make in retirement?

It’s not a new car or home renovation.

It’s an extended family trip.

The kind where grandparents, kids, and grandkids come together to share meals, go on adventures, and make memories that last a lifetime. I recently had a client come back beaming after organizing one of these for their family—and they said it was worth every penny.

Here’s why these trips are priceless:
👍 Memories appreciate over time. No one looks back and regrets a trip with family.
👍 There’s a sweet spot for these moments. Health, mobility, and availability don’t last forever.
👍 It’s a legacy investment. These trips create stories that outlive you.

So in my latest video, I share:
✅ Why these trips are becoming more popular among retirees.
✅ How families are funding them (without blowing up their retirement plan).
✅ 3 quick tips for pulling one off successfully.

Watch the full breakdown here:

Interested in a custom retirement strategy? ➡️ https://willemswealthplanning.ca/start-hereWhat’s the $25,000 retirement expense that brings the most happines...

Worried about the market drop?With all the recent noise around tariffs, trade wars, and market uncertainty, it’s easy to...
03/11/2025

Worried about the market drop?

With all the recent noise around tariffs, trade wars, and market uncertainty, it’s easy to feel uneasy—especially if you’re in or near retirement.

The truth is, bear markets are inevitable. The key question isn’t if one will happen, but how you’ll handle it when it does.

In my latest video, I break down 5 crucial steps to manage a bear market without blowing up your retirement.

Here’s what you’ll learn:
✅ Why risk feels different in retirement (and how to reassess your risk capacity now).
✅ How to structure your portfolio so you don’t have to sell investments at the worst possible time.
✅ Tactical moves you can make in a downturn—including tax strategies that can actually help you come out ahead.

Watch here:

Bear markets are inevitable, but they don't have to derail your retirement plans. In this video, discover five crucial steps to navigate a bear market effect...

Can you OVER-save into your RRSP?Most Canadians see RRSPs as the go-to retirement savings tool. And for good reason—the ...
02/25/2025

Can you OVER-save into your RRSP?

Most Canadians see RRSPs as the go-to retirement savings tool. And for good reason—the tax deduction and deferred growth are powerful.

But if you’ve been diligently maxing out your RRSP for decades, you might be setting yourself up for an unexpected tax trap in retirement.

Here’s why:
🚫 Required withdrawals at 71 can push you into a higher tax bracket than when you were working.
🚫 OAS clawbacks could kick in, reducing your benefits.
🚫 A massive estate tax bill could eat up your savings when you pass.

So in my latest video, I break down:
✅ Why tax diversification matters and how to avoid an RRSP overload.
✅ A side-by-side case study showing the difference between a tax-heavy RRSP plan vs. a more balanced approach.
✅ How a few small changes today could save you hundreds of thousands in taxes over your lifetime.

Watch here:

Interested in a custom retirement strategy? ➡️ https://willemswealthplanning.ca/start-hereAre you oversaving in your RRSP? Many high-earning Canadians risk b...

Many retirees unknowingly walk into a “tax valley”—a few years of paying almost nothing in taxes, followed by a steep, u...
02/14/2025

Many retirees unknowingly walk into a “tax valley”—a few years of paying almost nothing in taxes, followed by a steep, unexpected tax hike later.

Why does this happen?

Because they rely on cash savings early in retirement, keeping their taxable income low. But once that cash runs out and RRSP withdrawals, CPP, and OAS kick in, their tax bill spikes — hard.

In my latest video, I break down:
✅ Why this tax valley happens and how it can cost you thousands.
✅ 4 smart strategies to smooth out your taxable income and lower lifetime taxes.
✅ A case study showing how simple planning moves can protect your retirement cash flow.

If you’re 1-5 years from retirement, now is the time to plan ahead. Watch here:

Interested in a custom retirement strategy? ➡️ https://willemswealthplanning.ca/start-hereMany retirees face a hidden tax trap I call the “post-retirement ta...

Time to tackle the big, spicy, often-debated, deeply entrenched question: Should I rely on dividends for retirement inco...
02/08/2025

Time to tackle the big, spicy, often-debated, deeply entrenched question:

Should I rely on dividends for retirement income?

For many Canadian retirees, the idea of living off dividends sounds perfect—steady income, no need to sell investments, and tax efficiency… right?

Not always.

I recently reviewed a retirement plan for a couple who built their entire strategy around dividends. The results? Higher taxes, OAS clawback, and unnecessary financial risk.

In my latest video, I break down:
✅ The three big problems with a dividend-only approach.
✅ How a total return strategy could mean less tax, more flexibility, and a bigger portfolio over time.
✅ A side-by-side case study comparing lifetime tax bills and retirement outcomes.

If you’re heading into retirement and counting on dividends to fund it, this is worth a watch. A small adjustment could save you thousands.

Watch Here:

Interested in a custom retirement strategy? ➡️ https://willemswealthplanning.ca/start-hereMany retirees, especially up here in Canada, think that living off ...

Your RRSP is growing, but how much will you keep after taxes?The way you withdraw from your RRSP in retirement can have ...
01/25/2025

Your RRSP is growing, but how much will you keep after taxes?

The way you withdraw from your RRSP in retirement can have a huge impact on how much of your savings you actually get to use—and how much goes to taxes.

In my latest video, I share four RRSP withdrawal strategies that could help you lower your tax burden and keep more of your hard-earned money.

What you’ll learn:
✅ Why timing your withdrawals matters and how to use low-income years to your advantage.
✅ How a blended withdrawal strategy can keep your taxes stable and predictable over time.
✅ The pros and cons of deferring withdrawals versus starting them early.

Retirement is personal, and a one-size-fits-all approach rarely works. Watch this video to discover strategies that might fit your situation—and see what a well-executed drawdown plan can look like.

Watch here:

Interested in a custom retirement strategy? ➡️ https://willemswealthplanning.ca/start-hereIn this video, we’re covering four RRSP withdrawal strategies that ...

$1.6 million in savings and still can’t retire?Really???How can a couple with a solid nest egg be on track to run out of...
12/16/2024

$1.6 million in savings and still can’t retire?

Really???

How can a couple with a solid nest egg be on track to run out of money by age 79?

In my latest video, I break down Clint and Cara’s retirement plan and the hidden challenges that turned their financial security into a shortfall. Their story is more common than you’d think, and it’s packed with lessons you can apply to your own retirement planning.

What you’ll learn:
✅ Why early CPP decisions can have lasting ripple effects on your retirement income.
✅ How to balance lifestyle spending with financial sustainability.
✅ The role investment strategy plays in making your savings last.

If you’ve ever wondered how much is enough—or if your plan could stand up to life’s curveballs—this video is for you.

Watch here:

Interested in a custom retirement strategy? ➡️ https://willemswealthplanning.ca/start-hereIn today's video, we're looking at why someone with nearly $1.6 mil...

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