Retirement Planning in Canada
How much you need, planning by age, and the costs people underestimate.
Retirement planning starts with one question: how much will you spend, and where will that money come from? This hub is for Canadians at any age who want a plan built on government benefits, workplace pensions and their own savings.
Start with the seven-step plan and the how-much-do-you-need guide, then planning by age. The guides on healthcare and long-term care costs cover the expenses most plans underestimate, and the retirement calculator lets you test your own numbers. Benefit amounts link to Canada.ca for the year named.
Once you're close to retiring, the withdrawals hub covers turning savings into income.
What this hub helps you decide:
- How much do I need to retire?
- What should I be doing at my age?
- Should I save in a TFSA or RRSP for retirement?
- What will healthcare and long-term care cost?
Updated November 2026 · 8 guides by Andrew
Start here
- How Much Money Do You Need to Retire in Canada? The Real Numbers for 2026
- Retirement Planning by Age: What to Do in Your 30s, 40s, 50s & 60s
- Canadian Retirement Calculator (CPP, OAS, RRSP, TFSA)
- The Biggest Retirement Mistakes Canadians Make
- TFSA for Retirement: Why It Might Be More Powerful Than Your RRSP
New to retirement? Read the overview first: How to Build a Canadian Retirement Plan in 7 Steps.
All Retirement Planning guides
Canadian Retirement Calculator (CPP, OAS, RRSP, TFSA)
Project RRSP and TFSA growth in today’s dollars, then add the CPP and OAS figures you type. Official maximums are not filled in for you.
The Biggest Retirement Mistakes Canadians Make
The retirement mistakes that cost Canadians the most, from CPP timing and the OAS clawback to healthcare gaps, fees, and starting too late.
Should You Downsize, Rent, or Stay? Housing Decisions for Canadian Retirees
Selling a $700,000 home and buying a $450,000 condo should free up $250,000 — right? After commissions, land transfer tax, legal fees, and moving costs, you'll net closer to $185,000.
Long-Term Care in Canada: Costs, Options & How to Plan Ahead
One in three Canadians over 65 will need long-term care — and a private room in a nursing facility can cost over $8,000/month.
Healthcare Costs in Canadian Retirement: What's Covered and What You'll Pay
Provincial health insurance covers doctors and hospitals. It does not cover every prescription, dental bill, or medical emergency abroad in retirement.
TFSA for Retirement: Why It Might Be More Powerful Than Your RRSP
How a TFSA works as retirement income in Canada: tax-free withdrawals, income-tested benefits, and when it belongs beside an RRSP.
Retirement Planning by Age: What to Do in Your 30s, 40s, 50s & 60s
A 30-year-old saving $400/month retires with $714,000.
How Much Money Do You Need to Retire in Canada? The Real Numbers for 2026
How to estimate what a Canadian household needs to retire, using spending, CPP, OAS, and any pension instead of a single savings number.