EPISODE · Apr 28, 2026 · 42 MIN
#54 — Frederick Vettese: Retirement Planning Advice on CPP, Annuities and More
from The Wealthy Barber Podcast · host The Wealthy Barber Inc.
Our guest this episode is Frederick Vettese — former Chief Actuary at Morneau Shepell (now Telus Health), longtime Globe & Mail columnist and one of Canada’s leading voices on retirement planning. Fred is also the author of four books on retirement, including the bestselling “Retirement Income for Life.” In this episode, Dave and Frederick cover a wide range of retirement topics from why many Canadians may be more prepared than they think to how annuities can fit into a retirement income plan. They also discuss reverse mortgages, whether it makes sense to delay OAS, RRSP meltdown strategies and how thinking around withdrawals has evolved over time. Along the way, Frederick shares thoughtful perspectives on carrying a mortgage into retirement, gifting to adult children, universal life insurance and his own estate planning approach. Whether you’re approaching retirement or simply want to better understand the key decisions that shape it, this episode is packed with practical insights and real-world advice from one of Canada’s top experts. Show Notes (00:00) Intro & Disclaimer (00:55) Intro to Fred Vettese (02:21) How Fred Comes Up With Writing Topics for The Globe & Mail (04:30) Fred’s Career as an Actuary & Author (06:45) Why Many Canadians Are Better Prepared for Retirement Than They Think (10:31) Longevity Risk & the Case for Delaying CPP to 70 (12:15) The Role of Annuities in Retirement Income (14:29) When Reverse Mortgages Make Sense (16:32) Delaying CPP: Why Canadians Are Finally Coming Around (18:47) Should You Also Delay OAS to Age 70? (21:10) RRSP Meltdown Strategy & Income Smoothing (23:20) How the Industry Shifted on RRSP Withdrawal Thinking (25:27) Will People Get Married for the Financial Benefits in Retirement? (27:12) Insurance Products: Universal Life & When They Make Sense (29:38) Carrying a Mortgage Into Retirement (31:13) Gifting Money to Adult Children & The Risk to Your Own Retirement (34:02) Fred’s Own Estate Planning & Will Strategy (35:43) Fred’s Personal Investment Mistakes & Lessons (39:31) How the Financial Advice Industry Has Improved (41:10) Some Grandparents are Upsizing (42:14) Conclusion
What this episode covers
Our guest this episode is Frederick Vettese — former Chief Actuary at Morneau Shepell (now Telus Health), longtime Globe & Mail columnist and one of Canada’s leading voices on retirement planning. Fred is also the author of four books on retirement, including the bestselling “Retirement Income for Life.” In this episode, Dave and Frederick cover a wide range of retirement topics from why many Canadians may be more prepared than they think to how annuities can fit into a retirement income plan. They also discuss reverse mortgages, whether it makes sense to delay OAS, RRSP meltdown strategies and how thinking around withdrawals has evolved over time. Along the way, Frederick shares thoughtful perspectives on carrying a mortgage into retirement, gifting to adult children, universal life insurance and his own estate planning approach. Whether you’re approaching retirement or simply want to better understand the key decisions that shape it, this episode is packed with practical insights and real-world advice from one of Canada’s top experts. Show Notes(00:00) Intro & Disclaimer(00:55) Intro to Fred Vettese(02:21) How Fred Comes Up With Writing Topics for The Globe & Mail(04:30) Fred’s Career as an Actuary & Author(06:45) Why Many Canadians Are Better Prepared for Retirement Than They Think(10:31) Longevity Risk & the Case for Delaying CPP to 70(12:15) The Role of Annuities in Retirement Income(14:29) When Reverse Mortgages Make Sense(16:32) Delaying CPP: Why Canadians Are Finally Coming Around(18:47) Should You Also Delay OAS to Age 70?(21:10) RRSP Meltdown Strategy & Income Smoothing(23:20) How the Industry Shifted on RRSP Withdrawal Thinking(25:27) Will People Get Married for the Financial Benefits in Retirement?(27:12) Insurance Products: Universal Life & When They Make Sense(29:38) Carrying a Mortgage Into Retirement(31:13) Gifting Money to Adult Children & The Risk to Your Own Retirement(34:02) Fred’s Own Estate Planning & Will Strategy(35:43) Fred’s Personal Investment Mistakes & Lessons(39:31) How the Financial Advice Industry Has Improved(41:10) Some Grandparents are Upsizing(42:14) Conclusion
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#54 — Frederick Vettese: Retirement Planning Advice on CPP, Annuities and More
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