Articles - The Financial Post

Taking the nearly $700K commuted value of his pension could boost this former teacher's retirement options

It means more investment risk, but it also means flexibility and the potential for greater income

This Five-Star Retirement Plan Comes with a $100,000 Home Renovation and Lots Left Over for Peace of Mind

Derek Moran RFP of Smarter Financial Planning Ltd., discusses home renovations incorporated into retirement plans.

Woman Juggling $500,000 in Debts, Less than $200,000 Net Worth Fears She's Doomed to Bleak Retirement

Derek Moran RFP, Smarter Financial Planning Ltd., discusses managing retirement despite large debt.

A Divorce Behind Him and No Company Pension, 50-Something Father has to Finance Own Retirement

Derek Moran RFP of Smarter Financial Planning Ltd., discusses a divorced man plans for self funded retirement.

With $2.8 Million in Assets, Biggest Question Surrounding this Couple's Retirement is When can it Start

Derek Moran RFP of Smerter Financial Planning discusses when this couple with ample assets can begin retirement

Living Dangerously: 36-year-old Hopes High-Risk Job Pays Off in Early Retirement

Derek Moran discusses Jack's remaining in a dangerous job to obtain early retirement.

Urgent Cost Cutting Needed to Keep Family with Net Worth of Only $139,791 Afloat as Retirement Nears

Derek Moran RFP Smarter Financial Planning Ltd., discusses cost cutting.

This Ontario Couple is Riding Rental Cash Flow to a Five-Star Retirement

Derek Moran discusses incorporating rental cash into retirement planning.

With Six-Figure Income and Growing Savings, this Couple Still Worries Their Future is Bleak

Derek Moran RFP Smarter Financial Planning discusses challenges for retirement despite a six figure income

‘A lifetime of Careful Planning’ Means Couple with Medical Issues Still on Track for Solid Retirement

Derek Moran RFP discusses careful planning for staying on track for retirement.

The 'Bulletproof' Retirement Plan: Why this Alberta Man can Stop Worrying About Losing his Job

Derek Moran of smarter Financial Planning discusses retirement with this Albertan worker.

Holding Off on CPP the Key

Derek Moran, RFP of Smarter Financial Planning LTD., discusses a plan of holding off on CPP payments to improve a retirement plan.

After Losing Everything in Fort McMurray Fires, Engineer Mulls His Readiness to Retire — Maybe to Far North

Derek Moran discusses retirement plan with a Fort McMurray fire victim in The Financial Post.

In Mid-60s and Mired in Debt, Couple Needs Balance-Sheet Fix

Derek Moran discusses working longer in life to enable retirement plans.

‘It's a Real Crapshoot’: Woman with Serious Illness Needs a Financial Plan for the Best — and Worst — of Outcomes

Derek Moran discusses a financial plan with a woman suffering from a serious illness preparing for all possible outcomes.

'A Case of Career Interrupted': Hit with a Layoff, Couple's Reno Plans and Travel Dreams Looking Iffy

Derek Moran RFP discusses a couple that lives below their means, enabling them to weather the storm of a job loss in their retirement strategy.

Trade-Offs Abound as Woman Must Raise Funds to Pay Down Mortgage

Derek Moran discusses RRSP withdrawals and paying down a mortgage to build a portfolio.

Retirement Plan Adds Up for this Single B.C. Woman, but New House not Part of the Equation

Derek Moran discusses if this townhouse owner can upgrade to a detached home and still have a solid plan for retirement.

Harvesting Cash From Rental Properties, Small Business, Key to B.C. Pair's Five-Year Plan

Derek Moran discusses harvesting cash from rental properties while assisting this couple to meet retirement goals.

When You have Eight Kids, Can You Ever Retire? This Couple Can — and Before 65, Too

Derek Moran, Kelowna financial Planner, discusses retiring while still raising kids at home.

Couple with Solid Incomes, Pensions Need to Clear Out Debt if They Want to Retire at 59

Derek Moran RFP of Smarter Financial Planning Ltd., Kelowna BC discusses clearing debt for this couples plan to retire by age 59.

This Couple Can Have it all, but First They Need to Ditch Rental Property to Maximize RRSP Tax Shield

Derek Moran discusses plan to sell rental property and maximize RRSP contributions and shelters.

Why this Couple Should Forget About Retiring Early and Focus on Paying for their Kids’ Educations Instead

Derek Moran of Smarter Financial Planning Ltd., Kelowna, discusses the option to either pay for children's education, or retire early, with this interviewed couple.

Couple has gone All-in on B.C. Real Estate, but a Secure Retirement will Mean Getting Out at the Right Time

Derek Moran, financial planner at smarter financial planning Ltd., discusses real estate options with this BC couple planning their retirement.

Alberta Economy has Cut into this Family’s Income, Posing a Challenge to their Retirement Planning

Derek Moran R.F.P. discusses how the Albertan economic downturn has affected this couples plan for retirement.

Couple in their 30s get Help to Pay Down Their Hefty $375,000 Mortgage ASAP

Financial Planner, Derek Moran, of Smarter Financial Planning discusses this retirement plan to handle education, home purchase and savings.

Recent Immigrants bring Foreign Pensions but Worry how to Build Retirement Security in Canada

Derek Moran of Smarter Financial Planning Ltd., discusses a retirement plan for recent immigrants to canada.

B.C. Couple with Average Income and $900,000 Home need to Boost Retirement Savings

Derek Moran, discusses a financial plan that will help this average earnings couple reach higher goals for savings, and their retirement.

After Layoff, Couple Eyes Early Retirement

Derek Moran, R.F.P. of Smarter Financial planning Ltd, discusses this couples plan of making early retirement a reality.

How this Couple with $4.58-million Net Worth Can Reduce the Clawback on Their Substantial Savings

Derek discusses RRIF investment clawback with this large net worth couple.

Family Making $200,000 a Year is Feeling the Pinch in Pricey NWT

Derek Moran, R.F.P. discusses the high cost of living and risky investments with this Canadian couple in an Andrew Allentuck Financial Post article.

Time for a Reality Check for Once-bankrupt Couple Who Want Cottage, Vancouver Condo

Derek discusses equity and assets to help realize a solid plan for this couple.

Debt-Ridden Young Couple in Vancouver Wants it All: Bigger House, Kids, Early Retirement

Derek Moran of Smarter Financial Plaaning Ltd., discusses the young couples retirement and future based on a current debt ridden portfolio.

A Retirement Abroad May Give this Canadian Immigrant More Bang for His Buck

Financial Planner Derek Moran discusses retirement abroad in this Financial Post article.

Rising Income Will Rescue Couple Whose Finances Have Been Crippled by Illness

Derek advises how a doctor can use his late life high income and assets to restore savings for retirement.

Can this Manager Afford to Marry... and Retire Early?

Derek reviews the options regarding a man who wishes to get married, quite his job, and retire early, in his mid fifties.

Safe as Houses? Not for this 52-year-old Who has 84% of her $1.7-million Wealth Tied up in Risky Real Estate

Derek discusses a retirement plan that is too heavily vested in property.

With $7,000 a Month Going To Service Debt, Future Bleak Unless Couple Can Stem the Red Ink

Derek discusses a plan to sell rental property and thus reduce a home mortgage and slash other debt.

Retirement Held Hostage by Devastating Investments and Six-figure Debt

Derek discusses a woman's financial planning mistakes regarding the lack of diversification / understanding of her investments.

A Real Estate Crisis in the Making for Couple with $2M Net Worth and not a Stock or Bond to be Seen

Derek discusses the necessity for a couple to restructure their business assets for a smarter retirement.

Successful Entrepreneur Bound by Ties to a Family Business

Strategy changes in RRSP, TFSAs, and asset protection will help this couple retire with a strong plan, according to Derek Moran.

With Over $1.5-Million in Assets, Couple’s ‘Financial Neglect’ Could Still Limit Money for Travel, Children

Derek Moran, R.F.P. of Smarter Financial Planning Ltd., discusses the pros and cons of planning to leave children money, but still being able to travcel, during retirement.

Nearly Broke With a Negative Net Worth, this Middle-aged B.C. Couple Needs to Start Slashing Debt Now

Derek discusses a couple's plan to deal with negative net worth, and large student loan debt while saving for retirement.

‘Free Spirit’ Couple Want to Carve Out a Retirement

Derek Moran discusses building retirement certainty with Andrew Barr of the Financial Post.

Alberta Women $532,640 in Hole After They ‘Failed to Do the Math’ on Real Estate Investments

Derek Moran, R.F.P. of Smarter Financial Planning Ltd., discusses selling negative cash flow property, even at a loss, in this Andrew Allentuck Financial Post article.

Living Six-Figure Lifestyle on Five-Figure Income, Contract Workers Struggle After $20,000 Investing Loss

Derek Moran discusses reducing investment risk and defined goals for retirement, with Andrew Allentuck.

Divorced Dad’s Heart Condition Makes Planning Urgent

Retiring divorced dad plans around a heart condition.

With Heavy Debts and a Disabled Child, this Couple Can’t Afford to Quit Jobs just yet

Derek Moran, R.F.P. discusses a challenging retirement plan involving heavy debts and a disabled child.

Mutual Funds Came Through for this Couple, When the Job Didn’t

Derek Moran, of Smarter Financial Planning Ltd., discusses the payout of mutual funds, in this Andrew Allentuck article.

Illness and Bad Investments Wreck Couple’s Plans, but Recovery Possible

Derek Moran discusses a recovery for a devastated retirement plan.

Smarter Financial Planning Ltd .