Retire on your terms
Started late in Canada? You can still retire well. Here's how.
You arrived at 35 with no RRSP room. You're 45 now. The textbook plan doesn't fit you. We build the one that does.
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Sound familiar?
If any of this is you, you're in the right place
You're 40 with almost no RRSP room because you arrived at 35
Room builds from Canadian earned income. A late start means less of it. The order you fill accounts in matters more for you than for anyone.
You have savings and no idea what to do with them
Chequing account, GIC, a few things someone recommended. No plan connecting them to a retirement date.
You're incorporated and not sure a retirement plan even applies to you
It does, and you have options employees don't: investing inside the corporation, or an Individual Pension Plan whose room grows with age.
What we do about it
Map it, show the gap, fill it in the right order
- Map where you are today. Every account, every balance, your CPP estimate, and what you'll have coming in.
- Show the gap, in dollars. The difference between where you're heading and the retirement you want. A number, not a feeling.
- Pick the order that saves the most tax. RRSP first or TFSA first depends on your income now versus in retirement. Incorporated? Different answer again.
- Review it every year. Income changes, rules change, you change. The plan keeps up.
What it costs
The plan costs you nothing
You will not receive a bill for the call, the written plan or the yearly reviews. When we put your plan into action, we're compensated by the financial institution it's placed with. We explain exactly how that works before you decide anything, and there is no obligation after the call. Full details here.
Who you'll work with
Planners who've sat where you sit
Most of our advisors built their careers after arriving in Canada. We know what it's like to earn well and have no idea how the system works here. Meet the team →
Answers
Questions people ask us before they book
Should I put money in my RRSP or my TFSA first?
If your income today is higher than it will be in retirement, the RRSP deduction is worth more and usually comes first. If your in…
Read the answer →Is it too late to start saving for retirement at 40 (or 45, or 50)?
No. It means saving a higher percentage of your income than someone who started at 25, and using the right accounts in the right o…
Read the answer →How much money do I need to retire in Canada?
It depends on what you'll spend, not on a universal figure. Estimate your yearly retirement spending (many people land at 60 to 70…
Read the answer →What is guaranteed income for life and should I have some?
It's an arrangement where you hand over part of your savings in exchange for a monthly payment that continues for as long as you l…
Read the answer →Common questions
Questions people ask us
Is it too late to start saving for retirement at 40?
No. Someone who starts at 40 and saves consistently for 25 years can still build a substantial retirement fund, especially if they use the right accounts in the right order and, if incorporated, use the corporation or an Individual Pension Plan. The cost of a late start is that you need to save a higher percentage of income than someone who started at 25. Zenith Advisory shows you that percentage for your own numbers.
Should I put money in my RRSP or my TFSA first?
As a rule of thumb: if your income today is higher than you expect it to be in retirement, the RRSP deduction is worth more and usually comes first. If your income is modest now or you may need the money before retirement, the TFSA often comes first. Many people use both. The 2026 TFSA limit is $7,000 per year, and unused room carries forward.
Can my corporation fund my retirement?
Yes. Incorporated professionals and business owners can leave money in the corporation to invest at the lower corporate rate, and can set up an Individual Pension Plan, which allows larger deductible contributions than an RRSP after about age 40. Both need to be coordinated with your accountant.
How much do I need to retire in Canada?
It depends on what you spend, not on a universal number. A common planning estimate is that you'll need roughly 70% of your pre-retirement income each year, with CPP and OAS covering part of it. Zenith Advisory works out your own figure from your actual expenses.
What is guaranteed income for life?
It's an arrangement where you convert part of your savings into a monthly payment that continues for as long as you live, no matter what markets do. It can be used alongside other investments to cover essential expenses. Whether it fits depends on your age, health and other income.
Get started
Your next step is a 30-minute conversation
- Book your free call. 30 minutes, no prep, no obligation.
- Get your written plan. Where you are, where you're going, and exactly what to do, in one document you can read.
- Put it to work. We implement it with you and review it every year.