Cathy Hiscott Aims to Make PPI Indispensable

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As PPI President and CEO, what is Cathy Hiscott’s vision for the future of PPI? Below, read the latest C-Suite interview in the July edition of Insurance Journal (you can also see the PDF HERE) where Cathy discusses strategic growth, what an MGA requires to be successful and what it means for PPI to be “indispensable” to Advisors.

Be sure to follow PPI on LinkedIn to explore a series of posts related to the goal of becoming indispensable and contact your local PPI Collaboration Centre if you have any questions. Continue reading “Cathy Hiscott Aims to Make PPI Indispensable” →

Paying Attention to Climate Change

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At a recent major underwriting conference, the agenda included discussion of the increased trend in mortality associated with heat waves. This topic began to get attention in the early 21st century when more than 20,000 deaths in Europe were attributed to the record-breaking heatwave in August 2003 (1). Since then and almost every year since, news reports bear the sad news of clusters of deaths during short, intense periods of heat. Closer to home, we remember the ‘Heat Dome’ that settled over much of British Columbia between June 25th and July 1st of 2021. Breaking 103 all-time heat records including a 49.6 Celsius one-day high in Lytton, resulting in a wildfire that destroyed the town the next day. In that period, 650 heat-related deaths were confirmed in B.C. (2). Back in Europe, summers regularly include death counts, like the 2023 heatwave death toll in France of 5,167 people, the majority affecting those over the age of 75 (3). Continue reading “Paying Attention to Climate Change” →

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Paying Attention to Climate Change

Acting on Values: A Blueprint for Advisors in the Family Market

Values form the bedrock of a compelling marketing plan. By amplifying your values, you attract clients seeking advice from someone who shares their principles and beliefs. When clients see themselves reflected in your values, they are more likely to entrust you with their financial well-being. Prioritizing your values allows you to foster deeper connections and form long-lasting partnerships.

In a world where financial decisions can have profound implications, strategies rooted in values are not only ethical but also sustainable. Values serve as reference points, guiding our decisions and ensuring that our actions align with what we hold dear. When our strategies respect our values, they gain meaning and relevance, fostering trust and loyalty among clients and team members alike. But how do you know if you’ve uncovered your core values? Continue reading “Acting on Values: A Blueprint for Advisors in the Family Market” →

Time to Revisit the Passive Investment Rules

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With the increase in the capital gains inclusion rate from 1/2 to 2/3 effective June 25, 2024, passive investment income could be higher in your client’s corporation. Now is the time to revisit the potential reduction to your client’s small business deduction. Continue reading “Time to Revisit the Passive Investment Rules” →

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The Passive Investment Income Rules: Understanding the Impact on Your Business

After June 25, 2024, Your Client’s Tax Liability on Death May Have Increased! Time to Revisit How to Fund the Tax Liability

An article by PPI’s Planning Services team, a group of lawyers, accountants and actuaries who provide tax and estate planning support to Advisors affiliated with PPI.

Effective June 25, 2024, the 2024 Federal Budget in Canada proposed to increase the capital gains inclusion rate to 2/3 from 1/2 for corporations and most trusts* and for individuals for capital gains over $250,000**. This means for individuals and certain trusts, the first $250,000 is at a 1/2 inclusion rate and above $250,000, the inclusion rate is now 2/3. In B.C., the tax rate on capital gains is 26.75% on the first $250,000 but 35.67% over $250,000. This is an 8.92% increase (the other provinces differences range from an increase of 7.92% to 9.13%). The Budget stated that the $250,000 threshold was introduced so that only the wealthy would be affected. Well, this is not the case when someone passes away – the middle class will have their tax liability on their death increase by 33 1/3% for capital gains over $250,000. Continue reading “After June 25, 2024, Your Client’s Tax Liability on Death May Have Increased! Time to Revisit How to Fund the Tax Liability” →

Retirement Calculator

Whether your clients are planning a retirement that takes them to top destinations around the world, or like most of us, allows them to continue enjoying their current lifestyle with peace of mind, planning ahead is the best way to know where they’re going and how to get there. With the Retirement Calculator, your clients can set their retirement income based on their retirement lifestyle goals and see quickly if they’re on track, then explore several options for reaching or expanding their retirement goals, including adjusting pre-retirement annual investments, rates of return, and retirement age and income. The Retirement Calculator is designed to help your clients get wherever it is they’re headed, on time. Continue reading “Retirement Calculator” →

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Retirement Calculator

Disability Insurance Needs Calculator

Do your clients understand their group disability benefits? Do they know that benefits are paid as a percentage of regular income, and that depending on their plan, they may only be covered for a couple of years—especially if they’re qualified to do any kind of work at that time?

This easy-to-use calculator can be a great way to start important disability insurance conversations. Your clients can quickly see how much income they’d require in the event of a disability when they include their household income and expenses. They can even include things like planned savings and debt repayment to make sure they stay on-track no matter what. Once they know their income needs, you can review any coverage they have in place and discuss whether they’d be able to meet their financial obligations and goals in the event of a disability and offer insurance solutions that may strengthen their safety net.

Continue reading “Disability Insurance Needs Calculator” →

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Disability Insurance Needs Calculator

Critical Illness Insurance Needs Calculator

What kinds of financial burdens would your client need to carry in the event of a serious illness? Fortunately, as Canadians, we have access to government healthcare coverage and potential group or personal disability coverage to cushion what might otherwise be grave financial burdens during hard circumstances. But, what about those other expenses these plans don’t cover? This calculator will help you and your clients to consider many of the financial consequences of serious illness that aren’t covered by their medical and disability plans. Help fill any critical illness insurance gaps in your compliant insurance sales practice by sharing this calculator with your clients to start important conversations about the short and long-term financial impacts of serious illness. Talk to them about how critical illness insurance may strengthen their insurance safety net and help secure their financial future.

Continue reading “Critical Illness Insurance Needs Calculator” →

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Critical Illness Insurance Needs Calculator

Obstructive Sleep Apnea: Sleep Well, Breathe Easy

In the 1830’s, the English novelist Charles Dickens published a series of stories called “The Pickwick Papers”. One character, the larger-than life Joe, was known for his prodigious appetite and large build with an ability to fall asleep quickly and often during the day. In 1956, an astute medical researcher named Burwell and his colleagues published an article in the American Journal of Medicine titled, “Extreme obesity associated with alveolar hypoventilation-a Pickwickian syndrome”. This was the first modern day presentation of a sleep-related breathing disorder now known as obstructive sleep apnea (1).

What is obstructive sleep apnea, also known as OSA?

Apnea means to stop breathing, and in the context of OSA this happens while asleep. That sound you hear is the often loud snoring that accompanies these episodes of breathlessness. The obstructive part is in the upper airway system caused by the inadequate function of the tongue muscles or surrounding muscles that keep the airways open (2). Continue reading “Obstructive Sleep Apnea: Sleep Well, Breathe Easy” →

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Obstructive Sleep Apnea: Sleep Well, Breathe Easy

Final Tax Bite

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Rolling-over taxable assets to a spouse is simple. But transferring taxable assets to other heirs can have tax consequences. If your client should die without a living spouse, its as though they liquidated all their assets the moment before their death, and any taxes due must be paid by their estate. Their heirs will receive only what remains. Fortunately, in most circumstances, your clients can pass along their principal residence to their heirs without paying tax, but if they have registered investments, stocks, mutual funds, a cottage, other real estate, or a business, a significant portion of their estate may be eroded by taxes. The good news is they can do something about it now.

Share this calculator to start conversations about estate taxes so you can show your clients how to transfer their estates to their heirs intact. Continue reading “Final Tax Bite” →

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Final Tax Bite