The Biggest Fears Of Registered Retirement Savings Plans

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When most people listen to the word “RRSP,” they think of “retirement.” Popular media is filled with information about retirement savings, and most professionals recommend that everyone start saving at least 20% of their income. This means that many individuals face an important decision: when to start saving for retirement?

The truth is, every person has their own needs when it comes to retirement planning. An RRSP is just one option for saving for your future financial security – and not everyone may view it as advantageous as the media have made out to it. Consequently, they end up failing to use it as they should or, even worse, get caught into the trap of the RRSP program and have huge tax bills later in life due to poor planning and a lack of understanding of how much they are tax will need to be paid.

It's important to know what the main fears of Canadians are about RRSPs to be prepared and well-informed when it comes time to make decisions about your retirement planning.

Common Fears Associated With RRSPs:

Lack Of Enough Money to Invest In An RRSP

For people who are already struggling to get by, the idea of setting aside a certain percentage of income can seem daunting. However, with a few smart choices, this is a problem that can be easily overcome.

The Fear Of Losing Money

There are hundreds of different investments out there, and some are riskier than others. One of the most common fears surrounding RRSPs is that a person will lose all of their money. While this is possible, with the right plan and the proper guidance, it is relatively rare.

The Fear Of Being Too Young To Start Saving

When should I start saving? This is one of the most common questions people have about RRSPs and other savings vehicles; how young is too young? There is no such thing as being to young to save and to develop strong saving discipline and habits. These habits will be the key to a successful financial future. It's never too early to start saving, but it can become more difficult as you get older and take on more responsibilities in life.

Too Much Debt

Many people in today's economy have a lot of debt, and often they use their RRSPs to pay it off. But, unfortunately, they don't realize that this leaves them high and dry at retirement as they give up the time to earn more capital. Of course, it doesn't mean keeping the debt is good wither, but there may be more strategic ways to get the debt paid and still have money growing to your benefit. Consider, for example, the debt recapturing strategy that is available by Becoming Your Own Banker.

Paying To Much In Taxes When I Retire

This is the single greatest fear. The fear of the tax bill gets Canadians caught into the RRSP trap, to begin with. But the biggest issue many are finding is just how much tax they will have to hand over when they finally need to access their money or start using it as a source of income. You can be penalized heavily with more taxation if you are in a higher income tax bracket than when you put the money in. And it turns out that tax rates overall have been rising to accommodate the vast amount of Canadian debt and government spending. So be wary of programs that trap your money up for long periods and place handcuffs and restrictions on how you can access your money later.

To be successful with money, people need to overcome their common fears. Then they need to spend time to get more education and choose a financial path that is truly in alignment with their goals. Unfortunately, your RRSP may not be the right tool for you to accomplish your true objectives. By doing this, you'll make sure that once retirement comes around, your money is in the right place.

For further assistance regarding your RRSPs, contact Ascendant Financial today and speak with someone from our team of Financial Advisors.