Investing for the Future

To supplement your existing plan with us, Capital Estate Planning offers these additional products / services to help you get where you want to be. Our team of financial advisors provides a wide range of registered and non-registered investment planning services. Once your portfolio is created, you can access it through the web 7 days a week-because we know you have students to teach during regular office hours.

It is never too early or too late to start investing; let's get started below:

» ATA Group Registered Retirement Savings Plan
» Spousal RRSP's
» Tax-Free Savings Account (TFSA)
» Guaranteed Investment Certificates (GICs)
» Non-Registered Mutual Funds
» ATA Registered Education Saving Plan (RESP)
» Registered Retirement Income Fund (RRIF)
» Access to your Investment Portfolio

ATA Group Registered Retirement Savings Plan
This custom-designed Group RRSP program uses 17 investment companies and gives over 57 investment choices. Participants can access a series of guaranteed term certificates and / or a variety of pooled funds consisting of Equity, Bond, and Balanced Funds. Pooled funds garner the highest possible returns while minimizing risks.

There are many benefits to the ATA Group RRSP program (available to Association members, employees, and their families) including no annual service fees, no set-up fees, and no withdrawal fees. There is no minimum contribution. A Capital Estate Planning advisor would be happy to explain these and other benefits relating to flexibilty in contribution methods; deposit guarantees; and creditor protection.

Most School Boards across the province are now offering the ATA Group RRSP with immediate monthly tax relief on a payroll deduction basis for teachers. See how in our RRSP Investment tips (PDF, 970 KB).

As an added value to our clients, Capital Estate Planning can now provide a personal financial planning computerized retirement income projection analysis. This analysis coordinates pensions, government programs, RRSPs, and other savings while at the same time allowing for income taxes and inflation.

For a more detailed look at our ATA Group RRSP plan, please visit our ATA Group RRSP details page.

Spousal RRSP's
Imagine paying less in tax now and in retirement. Does this sound good? If so, a spousal RRSP may appeal to you. A spousal RRSP is an excellent tax-planning vehicle for couples with significant differences in their incomes, or in their existing retirement savings.

Say you have a higher income than your spouse, or wish to increase their retirement savings, you can open a spousal RRSP for your partner. You contribute to the plan and you receive the tax deduction. Contributions are deducted from your RRSP saving limit and your spouse can still contribute up to their yearly RRSP limit.

The plan assets are attributed to your spouse and they withdraw the assets in retirement as income. This provides two more evenly distributed incomes in retirement. As two smaller incomes are usually taxed at lower levels than one much larger income, you save on the taxes paid during retirement.

Tax-Free Savings Account (TFSA)
This new type of registered savings account may be the most important personal savings vehicle introduced since the RRSP legislation in 1957.

• Starting this year, Canadian residents who are 18 or older can contribute up to $5,000 annually to their TFSA. Contributions will not be tax deductible. However, any amounts withdrawn and gains or income generated by investments held within a TFSA will not be taxable.
• The TFSA allows for lifetime contributions with no requirements to withdraw at a certain age. Contributions can be made monthly or lump sum throughout the year.
• Any unused contribution room will carry forward indefinitely. Any amounts an individual withdraws from a TFSA in a given year will be added to his or her TFSA contribution room for the following year.
• The TFSA is a great addition to other registered savings options (ie: RRSP, RESP). They will be particularly attractive to members of any existing pension plan (ie: ATRF). In addition to your RRSP, the TFSA allows you to tax shelter up to $5,000/year. This is extremely helpful as the increasing pension adjustment each year continually erodes personal RRSP contributions for pension plan members.
• The tax-free growth from a TFSA would be a smart alternative to Canada Savings Bonds.

Uncertain of the differences between RRSPs and TFSAs? View our comparison chart for more information. Looking for tips on how to take advantage of the TFSA account? We've pulled together a document to help you.

Get started today! Contact your Capital Estate Planning representative, or simply download the application form and / or pre-authorized contribution form.

Guaranteed Investment Certificates (GICs)
For the conservative investor, or one who wants a balanced portfolio, GICs are just the ticket. Set for a specified amount of time, GICs are just that, guaranteed; guaranteed to give you back your initial investment and produce the promised returns at the end of term. GICs with daily interest and 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 year terms are available. Deposits in guaranteed investments are not locked in so GICs provide the flexibility or liquidity that some clients require.

To ensure a competitive return on your investment, we provide GICs and investment funds from a variety of financial institutions (including banks, trust companies, investment funds, and pension firms).

Non-Registered Mutual Funds
Capital Estate Planning has searched a world of financial institutions including banks, trust companies, investment funds and pensions funds to bring you top quality products. We are proud to present over 34 non-registered mutual funds under the descriptor titles of Asset Allocation Funds; Balanced Funds; Canadian Equity Funds; Cash and Equivalent Funds; Fixed Income Funds; Foreign Equity Funds; and Special Equity Funds.

For more detailed and current information about each available mutual fund, visit the Detailed Fund Descriptions page. Printable information sheets (.pdf with graphics) regarding the fund performances are available there.

As you ride down the road to retirement, make sure it's not on a unicycle. Think tricycle - or at the very least, bicycle - to ensure your retirement income includes both registered and non-registered investments to finance your retirement expectations. A well balanced financial portfolio includes savings over and above government RRSP limits as an integral part of your retirement plan.

ATA Registered Education Saving Plan (RESP)
This unique educational savings program features tax sheltered investment growth to provide for post secondary education costs. The plans have a diverse selection of investment funds through major investment fund companies and may be transferred between family members for complete flexibility. Those with RESPs are also eligible for the new 20 per cent Canada Education Saving Grant.

These RESPs allow ATA members and their spouses to contribute toward the education of a family member, a friend, or oneself. While these contributions are not tax deductible, interest earned on the contributions accumulates tax free. Once the beneficiary is enrolled in full time study at a post secondary institution in Canada (or at a specified institution abroad) he or she can draw on the funds to defray such education-related costs as tuition, books, travel, food or accommodation. Contributions to Group RESPs can be made by pre-authorized bank withdrawals.

In March, 2007 the federal budget introduced two major changes to the contribution rules: The elimination of the $4,000 annual RESP contribution limit and the increase of the lifetime RESP contribution limit to $50,000 per beneficiary from $42,000.

To promote saving for a child's education and to give a boost to RESPs, the government also enhanced the Canada Education Savings Grant (CESG). The CESG, is deposited directly into the RESP itself. The maximum annual contribution that will qualify for the 20% CESG will be increased to $2,500 from $2,000, thereby increasing the maximum annual CESG per beneficiary per year to $500 from $400 for years beginning in 2007. For beneficiaries with unused CESGs from prior years, the new maximum CESG will be $1,000, based on a $5,000 RESP contribution. The $7,200 maximum lifetime CESG limit, however, remains unchanged.

Registered Retirement Income Fund (RRIF)
A Group RRIF is a plan that allows you to receive the retirement savings you've accumulated over your lifetime through a series of regular payments you control. Although there is a minimum amount you must withdraw, the money that's left in the plan continues to grow tax-free until you receive it.

Combining the benefits of mutual funds with the freedom of a Group RRIF offers you the following advantages:

• They are available to anyone with most types of retirement savings, at any age;
• They give you more choices over the investment selections you make;
• They allow greater freedom to alter your income as your needs change, subject to the minimum yearly amount you must withdraw;
• They offer more flexibility to rebalance your investments as market conditions change; and
• They help manage the risk level you're comfortable with by modifying your allocation among the different risk levels available from mutual funds.

Access to your Investment Portfolio
Manage your portfolio via the internet at www.grsaccess.com-a transactional website with 24/7 access. View and print your reader-friendly statement at any time. From the first click of the mouse, you'll find we've created a site that lets you monitor your investment statements. You'll discover our great service options including the ability to:

• check your own plan statement at any time
• view and change the investment direction of your future deposits and maturing investments
• update your address, phone, and email address
• make transactions in a secure, confidential site
• view information about your current investment choices.

Visit www.grsaccess.com, click on "register for GRS Access", and follow the easy registration. GRS is safe and secure. Each GRS Access user has their own logon ID and password allowing them to logon from anywhere, anytime.