Step 1
Set the retirement frame
These inputs define the projection range, spending goal, and tax jurisdiction used by the preview.
Household profile
Version 1 is a single-person educational model. Spouse modelling and pension splitting belong in a later pass.
Step 2
Enter retirement income
Use standard income lines similar to the Retirement Calculator. Each source can start at its own age.
Recurring income sources
CPP / QPP
OAS
DB / employer pension
Other taxable income
Step 3
Enter account balances
Registered withdrawals are taxable, TFSA withdrawals are not, and non-registered withdrawals may realize capital gains.
Starting accounts at retirement
Step 4
Set asset mix assumptions
This model borrows the non-registered investment calculator idea: return is split into tax characters instead of one generic rate.
Account return assumptions
Step 5
Scenario rules
These are comparison rules, not recommendations. Each scenario tries to fund the same spending path.
Scenarios included in this Beta calculator
- Rule: Assume RRSP/RRIF conversion by 71, take required minimum withdrawals from the start age, then fill spending from cash, non-registered, TFSA, then extra registered assets.
- Read as: A baseline scenario that avoids extra taxable registered income unless spending requires it.
- Rule: Favour cash and TFSA before taxable account withdrawals, while still applying required registered minimums once they begin.
- Read as: A tax-sheltered withdrawal order, not a lifetime-tax optimizer.
- Rule: Use registered withdrawals earlier, up to an entered taxable-income ceiling.
- Read as: A scenario for reducing future registered balances and possible terminal-tax exposure; watch surplus saved to cash.
- Rule: Use cash and taxable sources before TFSA, with an entered registered-income ceiling.
- Read as: A TFSA-preservation scenario, not a mathematical max-estate optimizer.
Public benefit marker
Rule ceilings
These are user-controlled taxable-income markers for the two scenarios that intentionally draw extra registered assets. They are not recommendations or optimized bracket targets.
Estate assumption
Step 6
Review the comparison
The comparison below updates when you refresh it. Results include the assumptions and method notes needed to read the scenario tables.
Review controls
Use the sample scenario for UI review, then clear personal values to see production-style blank behaviour.
