Decisions HNW Canadians Actually Face

Side-by-side comparisons of the most common decisions our wealth-management clients walk through. Each page is written for Canadians with $500k+ in investable assets — not for first-time investors. Statistics are sourced from CRA, Statistics Canada, FP Canada, and the Income Tax Act.

About these comparisons. 5 head-to-head decisions covering account types, advice models, advisor structures, insurance, and corporate vs personal investing. Each comparison includes the recommendation we would actually give a client in our office today.

RRSP vs TFSA

RRSP vs TFSA — high earners

For Canadians earning $200,000 or more, the RRSP almost always beats the TFSA on a single-account basis — the 53.53% top marginal-rate refund creates immediate …

Self-directed vs Advisor-managed

Self-directed vs advisor

Below approximately $250,000 of investable assets, self-directed investing through a discount brokerage is almost always cheaper and equally effective for the a…

Bank Advisor vs Independent Advisor

Bank vs independent advisor

Bank advisors operate under product mandates and sales targets that constrain the advice they can give — even the best ones can only recommend their employer's …

Term Life vs Permanent Life

Permanent vs term insurance

Term insurance is the right answer for time-bound risk: covering a mortgage, replacing income while children are dependent, or protecting a business loan. Perma…

Inside Holdco vs Personal accounts

Holdco vs personal investing

Investing inside a Holdco is no longer the obvious win it was a decade ago. The 2018 federal passive-income rules grind down the small-business deduction once c…

Talk to a CFP® or CIM® at Evermore

Independent, fiduciary-style advice from Burlington, Ontario. Serving Canadian families with $500k+ in investable assets.

Book an introductory call