Episode
The Biggest Retirement Lies in Canada (And How to Avoid Them)
- Published
- Jan 19, 2026
- Duration seconds
- 2168
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Summary
BOOK A CALL WITH US NOW: https://www.controlandcompound.com/contact-us Most Canadians think retirement is about hitting a number but on today's episode, Darren and Christina break down why that mindset can quietly destroy your plan. They expose the biggest retirement lies in Canada: "I'll be in a lower tax bracket," "CPP/OAS will cover me," "inflation won't be that bad," and why the 4% rule can lead to underspending (or worse). You'll learn the five retirement risks that can cut retirement income in half — and what a "volatility buffer" can do to protect your withdrawals in down markets. Most retirement plans ignore the exact risks that show up when it matters most. If you want a plan that's built for real Canadian retirement math — start here. Show notes: 00:00 - Introduction 01:19 – Key question: If your retirement beliefs weren't true, when would you want to know? 01:46 – The real driver: retirement success is withdrawal strategy, not just the number 02:33 – The retirement illusion: why "hit $1M" and "pick the right investments" fails 03:18 – 4 misconceptions: lower tax bracket, CPP/OAS/RRSP will cover you, inflation won't hurt 05:07 – The 5 retirement risks that cut income in half 05:36 – Sequence of returns risk (market volatility): why selling in a down year is deadly 08:15 – Inflation math: what 2% vs 5% inflation does to buying power 11:07 – The tax trap: RRIF minimums, future tax brackets, and OAS clawbacks 12:15 – Longevity risk: why planning to 85 isn't enough 13:53 – Health & lifestyle costs: the "unknown expenses" problem 16:06 – The safe withdrawal rate problem: why the 4% rule is under pressure 18:36 – The spending lie: retirement spending isn't flat — "every day is Saturday" 19:59 – Go-go / Slow-go / No-go years: how spending actually changes 23:45 – Th…