Heart of Your Retirement

Canada's Mandatory RRIF Withdrawals Explained: What to Expect and How to Plan

Get the Canadian Retirement Course here: https://astrauniversity.ca/heart-of-your-retirement/  Most Canadians spend their entire working life contributing to their RSP without knowing what happens to it at retirement. This video breaks down the RRIF minimum withdrawal rules in plain English so you can plan ahead and avoid the mistakes that catch most retirees off guard. Zena Amundsen CFP walks you through exactly how the RSP to RRIF conversion works, how CRA calculates your minimum withdrawal each year, why no tax is withheld on that minimum by default and what you can do about it before your first payment arrives. You will also learn a simple strategy for couples that can reduce the required annual withdrawal and lower your tax bill over time. 🔗 LINKS MENTIONED:  → Canadian Retirement Course: https://astrauniversity.ca/heart-of-your-retirement/  → Other Courses and Resources: https://astrauniversity.ca/  ​​→ Connect with Astra Financial: https://astrafinancial.ca/

How the OAS Clawback Works in Canada and What to Do Before It Hits

🔗 Get the full blog post and extra resources here: https://astrafinancial.ca/2026/05/04/how-the-oas-clawback-works-in-canada  Most Canadians don't see the OAS clawback coming because no single income source looks like the problem on its own. In this episode, Zena Amundsen CFP breaks down exactly how the OAS clawback works in Canada, which income sources count toward the threshold and the five timing strategies that can reduce the impact before it happens. You'll learn how the income stacking effect works, why world income including US Social Security counts toward the clawback, how the 15% formula is calculated and why TFSA withdrawals are one of the cleanest retirement income tools available. If you are within 10 years of retirement or already drawing from multiple income sources, this episode will help you understand how your income is structured and what to plan for. 📅 Book a complimentary introductory call with the Astra Financial team: https://astrafinancial.ca/get-informed-astra-financial-consultancy-services/

Your Biggest Canadian Retirement Tax Questions Answered

🔗 Get the full blog post and extra resources here: https://astrafinancial.ca/2026/04/13/canadian-retirement-tax-questions/ A tax expert answers the most Googled retirement tax questions Canadians are asking right now. In this episode of Heart of Your Money, Zena Amundsen CFP and Nicole Putz CFP sit down with tax expert Rick Soparlo to break down real retirement tax strategies for Canadians, including how to structure your income for tax efficiency, how pension income splitting works between spouses, why Canada's graduated tax brackets mean a raise never hurts you, what happens to your RIF when you pass away (and why it could cost your family nearly half your savings) and practical draw-down strategies to keep more of your money in the family. Whether you're already retired or getting close, this conversation covers the tax planning fundamentals every Canadian should understand before filing their next return.

What Finfluencers Get Wrong About Financial Advice on Social Media

🔗 Get the full blog post and extra resources here: https://astrafinancial.ca/2026/03/16/financial-advice-on-social-media/ Your social media feed is full of financial "experts" telling you to take CPP at 60, refinance your real estate for free money and get out of your RSPs. And it's getting into people's heads. In this episode of Heart of Your Retirement, Zena Amundsen CFP and Nicole Putz CFP react to the exact posts making the rounds right now and break down what's actually going on behind the viral financial advice on social media. From the CPP at 60 debate to the Smith Maneuver "loophole" to the RSPs are bad trend, they cover the three biggest myths circulating online right now and what Canadian retirement planning actually looks like when you know someone's full financial picture. If your gut has been flipping when you scroll your feed, this one is worth your time. ⏰ TIMESTAMPS: 00:44 CPP Clip Reaction 02:03 Why CPP Advice Misleads 04:40 Inflation and Peak Earnings 07:43 When CPP at 60 Works 08:45 Real Estate Loophole Hype 12:20 Refinancing and Leverage Risks 14:50 RRSPs Are Not the Villain Fair Use Disclaimer: This video contains clips from social media platforms that were originally posted publicly. Under Section 107 of the Copyright Act of 1976, allowance is made for fair use for purposes such as criticism, comment, and education. All commentary in this video is stated as a matter of opinion. All opinions are our own.

Should I Transfer My Pension to a Financial Advisor?

🔗 Get the full blog post and extra resources here: https://astrafinancial.ca/2026/02/16/should-i-transfer-my-pension/  🔗 Learn more about the Heart of Your Retirement course: https://astrauniversity.ca/heart-of-your-retirement/ Should you transfer your pension at retirement? It depends on 5 key factors. In this episode, Canadian CFPs Zena Amundsen and Nicole Putz break down the exact framework they use with clients to make this pension transfer decision, including real scenarios where they told clients to LEAVE their pension alone and others where they recommended transferring it. In this episode, we cover: The 5 factors that determine whether to move your pension or leave it Real client case study: When we said "keep it where it is" Real client case study: When coordination became critical The pension split strategy for people under 72 (most people don't know this exists) Sequence of returns risk and why timing matters as much as returns The general contractor framework for retirement income coordination How to evaluate fees and value in pension management

Why you need to pay for a financial plan

Understanding Federal Government's Early Retirement Offer: Is It Right for You?

Federal Government Early Retirement Offer: Should You Take It? In this video, we delve into the timely topic of early retirement for federal government employees.  With recent news about an offer allowing eligible workers to retire early without pension penalties, many are questioning if they should take this opportunity. We discuss the key factors to consider, including financial, emotional, and practical questions that need answering. Whether it's ensuring you're financially ready or deciding if it's the right emotional move, we offer actionable steps and essential advice to help you navigate this potentially life-changing decision. About Astra Financial: Astra Financial is a Canadian financial planning firm led by certified financial planners Zena Amundsen and Nicole Putz. We specialize in retirement planning for Canadians and provide fee-only financial advice. ​​Want help planning your retirement? Learn more and book a call with our team of certified financial planners to create your personalized retirement roadmap here: https://astrafinancial.ca/get-informed-astra-financial-consultancy-services/  Get our free Reinspirement Guide - Download your roadmap to a fulfilling and financially sound retirement here: https://astrafinancial.ca/reinspirement/

Meet the Duo Behind Astra Financial: The Unofficial Charter Behind The New Partnership

Welcome to Heart of Your Retirement! In this episode, hosts Zena and Nicole provide an inside look at Astra Financial, where they're shaking up their usual retirement-themed content. Meet Nicole Putz, a certified financial planner (CFP) with a decade of expertise, and now a partner at Astra. They reveal their quirky partnership charter, highlighting their unique business habits and candid office dynamics. From brainstorming sessions over cold pork chops to handling technical woes and balancing work-life with workouts, get an authentic glimpse of how two dynamic women navigate the financial planning world. This is what running a Canadian financial planning firm actually looks like - no power suits, no boardrooms, just real partnership and real financial advice. If you want to sign up for Get Your Money in Gear, go here: https://zenaamundsen.ca/get-your-money-in-gear-course/  If you want more resources and show notes, check out https://astrafinancial.ca/podcasts/

Beyond Finances: 5 Things People Miss When It Comes to Retirement Planner

Most retirement planning focuses on one thing: the numbers. And yes, financial security matters. You need that foundation in place. But here's what most people don't expect: You could have every financial box checked off and still feel lost, bored, or lonely in retirement. After years of dreaming about no alarm clocks and endless freedom, many retirees find themselves asking, "Now what?" In fact, nearly half of retirees say they feel bored within their first two years. Retirement planning beyond finances is about designing a life that feels meaningful and connected. It's about the things that don't show up on your balance sheet but absolutely determine whether your golden years feel golden. From discovering new passions to building lasting connections, here are the five overlooked elements that shape true retirement happiness. If you want to sign up for Get Your Money in Gear, go here: https://zenaamundsen.ca/get-your-money-in-gear-course/  If you want more resources and show notes, check out https://astrafinancial.ca/podcasts/

Your Guide to Hiring a Financial Planner

Hiring a financial planner shouldn't feel like a leap of faith, but for many people, it does. Maybe you've never worked with one because trust feels impossible. Or maybe you're stuck with an advisor who doesn't seem to have your back - someone who pushes products instead of creating plans, or leaves your questions unanswered. You're not alone. This is exactly what I hear from people all the time. Here's the truth: choosing the right financial advisor is like handing someone a gift box containing your entire life savings and future dreams. That's a big deal, and you deserve to feel confident about who you're trusting with that box. In this episode, I'm sharing the non-negotiables to look for, the questions that separate the pros from the product pushers, and the red flags that should make you run. If you want to sign up for Get Your Money in Gear, go here: https://zenaamundsen.ca/get-your-money-in-gear-course/  If you want more resources and show notes, check out https://astrafinancial.ca/podcasts/