RETIREMENT REIMAGINED

A CPA’s guide to the complexities of retirement in Canada.

“One of the first casualties of our aging brains is the ability to make sound financial decisions,” writes Strong, a Canadian CPA, in his nonfiction debut. This is especially important to remember because, as he points out, nearly half of all retirees leave the workforce earlier than they’d originally planned, whether they are pushed out or leave work for health and disability reasons. The author’s intent in these pages is to provide a wide range of tips and advice for his fellow Canadians facing the often-bewildering financial landscape that awaits them after their work years. He also addresses the personal changes that retirement can bring, such as the lack of mental challenges, the reduction of one’s social network, even the loss of a sense of purpose. (“What am I going to do with my time?” Strong imagines his readers asking. “Do I have enough money to live? How should I eat and exercise better? Who should I hang out with now?”) The bulk of the advice here, however, centers on money issues, both for individuals and for families (“Planning for and funding your own retirement should be based on your specific financial and life circumstances”). Strong provides a great deal of guidance in understanding government programs like the Registered Retirement Savings Plan and the Tax-Free Savings Account. The author breaks down more traditional subjects, like money market accounts and treasury bills, as well as newer financial developments like Bitcoin. Strong’s tone throughout is that of a patient, compassionate family advisor talking clients through potentially intimidating subject matter. His prose is clear and understandable to the layperson, and his empathy runs throughout the book: “Don’t let ageism determine how you live,” he urges his readers. “Staying busy with meaningful work (that includes volunteering!) keeps the brain active.” Canadian readers facing retirement will find this a very valuable resource.

An inviting and approachable overview of meeting the mental and financial challenges of retirement.