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Canadians expect they need $1.7M to retire, BMO survey finds, but it's even more for millennials

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15 comments
  • This article presented no analysis or insight whatsoever. It just is a few paragraphs presenting raw results of survey data and a pull quote from a finance guy essentially saying “YMMV.”

    It would be helpful for people to have something about retirement expense rates, lifestyles at different income levels, the burn down rates of people retiring today and projected future costs, and so on.

    I mean, I’m American, so it wouldn’t apply directly to me anyway, but it’s something I think about more and more as I get closer. I’d retire today, if I could. I do have a fair amount of savings, and if I was willing to retire someplace inexpensive I might be able to pull it off today, or in a couple more years at most. So I’ve been doing my own research there (including looking at golden visa programs in case US politics continues on its current path), but I like to hear how others are thinking about it as well.

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  • Half of Canadians are already living paycheck to paycheck, and they are expected to have at least $2 million in the bank in order to not die homeless and hungry when they "retire"?

    How grim does our future need to look before society slaps itself in the face and demands to have better wealth distribution?

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    • How grim does our future need to look before society slaps itself in the face and demands to have better wealth distribution?

      Nothing is going to change until the wealthy fear for their bank accounts and/or their lives.

      Want things to the change? Make the Rich Afraid Again.

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  • As a man in his 50s it's become painfully obvious that I'm never retiring.

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    • Can I join your club? I'm in my 50s. I have worked since I was 14 years old... full time since I was 17. I worked most of my adult life outside of Canada, so I do have some state pension saved up outside of Canada, but it's nowhere near enough to live on in Canada. I moved back to Canada a few years ago with a "seemed like a good idea at the time" decision. In total, I have worked less than 10 years of my life in Canada... so my CPP is basically zero. I look at what Canada has to offer me and think... what the hell am I doing here? It's fucking expensive to live here... I have nothing to retire on... and only homelessness ad starvation to look forward to.

      So... while I'm still employable, fit, and healthy, I'm planning on getting back out.... this year actually if all goes to plan.

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      • Ideally, you're supposed to retire while you're still fit and healthy so you can actually enjoy your retirement.

        Otherwise, it's basically just an extended sick leave until you die.

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  • At this point in my life ... I've made some money, I own some property and I have not debt ... I make enough to survive but I don't think I'll be comfortable when I get older and judging from the looks of how society and our civilization is headed, I don't think I'll be very comfortable as I get older, not unless I can find a few million dollars right now. So I'm just planning on enjoying what I can for as long as possible on my own without going to a home or getting hospitalized ... then just sell off everything and survive as long as I can with a bit of help from others. Than if things go even further downhill from there and I can't take care of myself any more and I'm still in my right mind, I'd rather end it sooner on my own terms rather than make it last longer than I have to.

    I'm not banking or hoping for any help down the road, especially as we get older and none of us should.

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