Skip to main content
carrick on money

Getty Images/iStockphoto

The World Economic Forum issued a discussion paper recently titled, "We'll Live to 100 – How Can We Afford It?" The math behind this question is simple. "On average, [lifespans have] been increasing by one year, every five years," the paper says. "Babies born today in 2017 can expect to live to over 101, or in other words, they will live to see the year 2117."

Living longer means you'll need more retirement savings. Problem is, there are some financial, economic and demographic trends working against this happening. As noted in this MarketWatch article, fewer employers are offering pension plans. Meanwhile, an aging population means more retirees and fewer people in the work force.

There's now talk of a "retirement savings gap" between what people will need for retirement and the amount they'll actually have from government benefits, workplace pensions and individual savings. Canada is doing comparatively well on this front. Of eight countries considered in the World Economic Forum report, Canada comes in second best, just behind Australia.

Baby boomers are least affected by the retirement savings gap because of the assets they've accumulated through bull markets for stocks, real estate and company pension. Millennials, you're most vulnerable. Fewer of you have pensions, and there's a consensus that investment returns will be subdued in the years ahead. Your best defence is to start saving for retirement as soon as you can. Is it fair to say that retirement is the most urgent financial priority for a 30-year-old? Arguably, yes.

Subscribe to Carrick on Money Are you reading this newsletter on the web or did someone forward the e-mail version to you? If so, you can sign up for Carrick on Money here.

NEW: Get the Real Estate newsletter, covering the housing market, mortgages, deal closing, design and more. Sign up here.

The $20 emergency fund

A smart take on how it's OK to start small when building an emergency fund. What I like here is that the writer doesn't drone on about how you need three or six month' salary covered. Instead, she insightfully explains how to start modestly and go from there.

Retirement's coulda, shoulda, woulda

What would retirees do differently if they could go back in time? A financial adviser with the U.S. investing giant Vanguard asked that question in a blog post and received hundreds of answers. Good, real-life commentary here, though some is U.S-specific.

The complete guide to no-cost workouts

If you're disciplined about working out at home, these free online workout videos can be a great alternative to paying for a health club membership. My take on gyms is that they're an investment in your health if you use them regularly.

Smashing the diamond ceiling

Twelve per cent of the 2,500 billionaires in the world are women. Here's a look who they are and how they made their money.

Today's featured financial tool

I rounded up a bunch of websites for comparing financial products in a recent column. Here's one to add for credit cards, mortgages, brokerages and robo-advisers – Hardbacon.

Ask Rob

The question: "I am considering selling my $650,000 house and upgrading to an $850,000 house. The major difference between the two houses is location – the newer house comes with a beautiful view and no rear neighbours. I'm 37 years old. The conservative banker in me says don't do it. But every other part of me wants the new house."

The answer: "Sounds like you're asking me to talk you out of this move. OK, let me try. Selling your current house and buying the other place will cost you a lot in real estate commissions, legal fees and moving costs. Financing the new place will mean a bigger mortgage and quite possibly higher property taxes, upkeep and insurance costs. Moving might make sense if you had a growing family, but not for a view and more privacy. Some landscaping with a high fence would be much cheaper.

Do you have a question for me? Send it my way. Sorry I can't answer every one personally. Questions and answers are edited for length.

What I've been writing about

– Some great online tools that can help improve your portfolio returns

– It's the Canadian way to pay too much for financial products

– Five things to know if you're a President's Choice Financial client

More Carrick and money coverage

For more money stories, follow me on Twitter and join the discussion on my Facebook page. Millennial readers, join our Gen Y Money Facebook group.

Send us an e-mail to let us know what you think of my newsletter.

Want to subscribe? Click here to sign up.

Follow related authors and topics

Authors and topics you follow will be added to your personal news feed in Following.

Interact with The Globe