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Planning for retirement

It’s always the right time to plan for retirement. If you’re a member, you can book an appointment on AccèsD to start planning with the help of an advisor.

Not a member? Schedule a call to make an appointment.

Advice at any age

Depending on your age, you need to consider different things when planning your retirement. Take a look at our advice for your age group.

Ages 18–30

Take the first steps

We understand that retirement can seem a long way off and that you have other goals you’d like to focus on like travelling, buying a car or maybe even buying a house. If that’s the case, it might appear difficult to save for both a down payment and retirement.

But it’s never too early to start putting money aside for when you retire. With a budget and savings strategy made just for you, you can save for your future, even if it’s only a little bit each month.

Check out these articles to learn more:

Learn more about savings plans

Savings plans such as RRSPs or TFSAs let you save and grow your money tax-free.

  • With an RRSP, you pay less tax by lowering your taxable income.
  • With a TFSA, you have the flexibility to withdraw money anytime you need it.1

There are other savings plans that might fit your needs. To learn more about them, see Registered savings plans.

Learn more about investing

If you’re new to investing, take the time to understand basics like the different types of investments and what kind of investor you are.

Get a personalized financial plan

Book an appointment to get a financial plan based on your specific needs and goals. You’ll get helpful strategies to start saving for retirement.

Ages 31–49

Balance retirement and your other goals

You’re working hard and have a lot on your plate. We get that it can be hard to think about retirement when you’re trying to pay off your mortgage, make major purchases or save for your children’s future.

But there are still many good reasons to start planning your retirement as soon as possible. To learn more, read Retirement planning: Why it’s important to start now.

Take advantage of savings plans

Contributing to an RRSP or TFSA can help you grow your savings and reduce your tax bill.

We have a wide range of investment products to help you reach your financial goals. And your advisor is there to help. They’ll work with you to find solutions that fit your needs and investor profile.

See if an RRSP loan is right for you

Do you have unused RRSP contribution room and want to make up for lost time? Then an RRSP loan might be right for you.2 If you get a tax refund, you can even use it to pay back part of your loan.3

Get a financial plan with a retirement projection

It’s always the right time to plan your retirement. Get a customized financial plan with a retirement projection or revise an existing plan.

Ages 50–64

Get ready

Make sure that your retirement plan is up to date. Have your goals or retirement income changed? Are you prepared for the unexpected? Even if you haven’t started planning for retirement, you still have time to get a personalized retirement projection. And with the help of an advisor, you’ll get a better idea of your needs.  
 
It’s normal to have questions about retiring. To learn more, read Retirement savings: 5 steps for financial peace of mind.

Optimize your retirement savings

As you get ready to retire, you should maximize your savings and revisit your investment strategies based on your goals, timeline and investor profile. Your advisor is there to help you come up with a strategy that fits your needs.

Maximize your contribution

Do you have unused RRSP contribution room and want to invest as much as possible in your RRSP while you still have time? Then an RRSP loan might be right for you.2 If you get a tax refund, you can even use it to pay back part of your loan.3

Learn more about the benefits of an RRSP loan and how it works.

Plan your withdrawal strategy

Your retirement projection includes a plan for withdrawing your retirement savings. The goal is to make them last as long as possible and pay the least amount of tax possible.

Take a look at our 7 tips for planning your retirement withdrawals.

Other things to think about

Update your insurance

Is your insurance coverage up to date? Since your needs might change once you retire, it’s a good idea to discuss your insurance coverage with your financial security advisor and see which options are best for you.

Estate planning

Once you’ve retired, it’s also important to review your will and protection mandate. We’ll work together to make sure that they still match your wishes and to implement tax strategies that leave as much as possible to your loved ones.

Get personalized support

Make an appointment today to review your retirement projection, set up an effective withdrawal strategy and make sure you’ve got everything ready for when you retire.

Retirement calculators

Do you know where your income will come from once you retire? Our calculator helps you see the big picture to better plan your savings.

Calculator on AccèsD

Use this calculator if you’re registered for AccèsD. You can save your calculations to come back to later.

Web calculator

If you're not a Desjardins member or not registered for AccèsD, use this calculator.

Retirement planning steps

  1. Decide on your retirement age

    This is how you’ll determine how much time you have to save up and how long you plan to be retired. According to the average life expectancy in Canada, you may be retired for 20 or even 30 years.

  2. Set your retirement goals

    Do you want to travel, volunteer or just sit back and relax? Your retirement plans and your desired lifestyle will dictate how much you need to save.

  3. Determine your desired annual retirement income

    You’ll generally need between 50% and 70% of your annual end-of-career income (after tax) during retirement. Draw up a budget to see how much money you’ll need every year to maintain your lifestyle and do what matters to you.

  4. Identify your sources of income

    Your retirement income will likely be made up of government pensions, your personal savings and an employer pension plan, if you have one. You may also have other sources of income.

  5. Calculate how much you need to save each year

    Ideally, you should put aside 10% of your annual pre-tax income, but it all depends on your retirement plans and income sources. Consider taking out insurance, such as disability or critical illness insurance, so you can keep saving no matter what happens.

  6. Build up your savings

    Set up an investment strategy that matches your needs, risk tolerance and investment horizon. We’re here to guide you and help you make informed choices.

Why work with an advisor?

While it's always possible to plan your retirement on your own, the support of an advisor can make all the difference.

Discover everything that an advisor can do for you.

Make an appointment

On AccèsD

Book an appointment on AccèsD if you're a member, and meet with an advisor online, in person or over the phone.

By phone

Montreal area:
514-224-7737 This link opens your phone app. (514-CAISSES)

Elsewhere in Canada and the US:
1-800-224-7737 This link opens your phone app (1-800-CAISSES)

Or have us call you when it's convenient.

The type of investments held in your TFSA determine how easily you can access your money.Subject to credit approval by the Fédération des caisses Desjardins du Québec.Using leverage can be risky. Whether your investments make money or not you will still have to pay back your loan in full. You might end up owing more money than the value of your investments. This strategy is intended for individuals with a good risk tolerance who can invest over a long period of time.