The Money Scope is a weekly limited-run podcast about personal financial decision-making for Canadian professionals. The podcast follows a curriculum deliberately designed to make you a better, more thoughtful financial decision maker.
It is hosted by Benjamin Felix - Portfolio Manager and Head of Research at PWL Capital, and Dr. Mark Soth - the Loonie Doctor.
The moneyscope.ca site is peppered with photoshopped fun, and each episode page is deliberately designed to be a multi-media curriculum with annotated transcripts, primary source references, and links to relevant materials in our other blog and podcast formats.
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In this episode of The Money Scope Podcast, Benjamin Felix and Dr. Mark Soth (The Loonie Doctor) take a deep dive into the complex world of pensions for incorporated professionals. They unpack the pros and cons of the various pension structures available in Canada—from RRSPs and IPPs to MEPPs—and explain how these compare in terms of tax treatment, investment flexibility, creditor protection, and long-term retirement security.
Through their discussion, Ben and Mark illuminate how pensions really work for business owners who are both employer and employee, why "pension envy" can cloud rational decisions, and how evidence and math—not marketing—should guide your retirement planning.
They also explore the behavioral and psychological side of pensions: why risk pooling matters, how defined benefit plans manage longevity and sequence risk, and when the added complexity of an IPP or MEPP might actually be worth it.
This is one of the most comprehensive overviews of pensions you'll hear—combining research, real-world application, and practical insight for anyone trying to optimize their corporate retirement strategy.
Key Points From This Episode:
Why pensions matter for Canadian business owners—and why this episode took a while to make. (0:01:20)
Canada's three-pillar retirement system: public pensions, employer-sponsored pensions, and personal savings. (0:02:16)
The pension landscape: RRSPs, individual pension plans (IPPs), and multi-employer pension plans (MEPPs). (0:03:19)
Defined contribution (DC) vs. defined benefit (DB) pensions—who bears the investment risk. (0:06:24)
How MEPPs like Medicus and HOOPP allow incorporated professionals to join group plans. (0:08:54)
The truth behind branded pension products—why the legislative structure is what really matters. (0:10:20)
Pension envy and the economics of compensation: who actually pays for "employer contributions." (0:12:27)
Comparing RRSPs and pensions: tax deferral, limits, and liquidity differences. (0:14:55)
RRSP flexibility vs. pension restrictions in withdrawals and contributions. (0:17:54)
Defined benefit vs. defined contribution pensions—how risk and control shift between employer and employee. (0:22:57)
Why small business owners often prefer IPPs after age 40. (0:25:20)
What happens to pensions in retirement: RRSPs → RRIFs, pensions → LIRAs/LIFs. (0:29:06)
Group pensions vs. individual pensions: pooling risks and costs. (0:31:34)
Do big pensions really have investment advantages? A data-driven look at costs and active management. (0:33:18)
Why institutional investors often underperform passive portfolios—even with elite managers. (0:39:24)
CPP Investments as a case study: $700B in assets, billions in fees, and lagging benchmarks. (0:42:24)
Evaluating pensions on liabilities, not just returns—what "immunizing liabilities" means. (0:45:45)
Today, we bring you another live episode, this time from the Annual Canadian Physician Financial Wellness Conference. We answer a series of compelling audience questions — drawing on information from past episodes — that meaningfully impact both sides of the client-advisor relationships. To kick things off, we break down the best time to incorporate, the downsides of incorporating too early, getting money out of your corporation tax efficiently, and common misconceptions around tax efficiency. Next, we discuss the changes in capital gains tax and if it still makes sense to incorporate despite the increase, whether you should pay debt or invest as you juggle all your different priorities, and when to take dividends versus salary. We also get into the topic of corporate bloat and how to address it through measures like smoothing out consumption, why you need to know your notional account balances, insights on dividend-paying ETFs, and advice for alternative investments, including real estate. To close, we discuss how you can determine when you've reached financial independence and how a professional financial planner can help you make that call, along with a few final audience questions. Join us to hear the full scope of today's conversation on navigating the ins and outs of getting incorporated, tax efficiency, and much more!
Key Points From This Episode:
(0:00:31) An update on Money Scope and the tools we've been developing.
(0:03:32) Our first audience question: when should you incorporate?
(0:05:59) Getting money out of your corporation to pay off credit tax-efficiently.
(0:08:01) Common misconceptions around tax efficiency and tax deferrals.
(0:13:19) Unpacking if it's still better to incorporate after the capital gains tax increase.
(0:16:03) A breakdown of whether you should pay off your debt or invest.
(0:20:19) The conditions under which you should take dividends versus salary.
(0:23:12) Insights on corporate bloat and methods for addressing it.
Ep. 9 Case Conference: Keeping the Tax Hobbits at Bay
Épisode 9
vendredi 22 mars 2024 • Durée 48:53
The overarching theme of today's conversation revolves around prudent financial decision-making, including tax-efficient investing, risk assessment, and leveraging home equity for investment purposes. This acts as supplementary material for the main episode, where we take a deep dive into the nuances of tax. Join us as we look at taxation and income through the lens of common scenarios that often lead people to make poor decisions with their investments. We uncover the importance of structuring investment portfolios with tax implications in mind and venture into the realm of corporate-class bond ETFs, assessing their potential benefits and complexities. You'll gain insight into the free dividends fallacy and the benefits of high dividend yield stocks. We also unravel the strategy of leveraging home equity to defer tax and share our personal experiences and insights, along with essential criteria to determine your risk profile. Tune in as we turn dollars into sense and pave the road to a prosperous financial future!
Key Points From This Episode:
(0:01:32) Optimizing investment portfolio structure without relying on dividends.
(0:03:33) Essential aspects of taxes on capital gains and dividends.
(0:06:41) The risks of dividend-chasing strategies.
(0:09:56) A case study comparing premium with discount bond tax efficiency.
(0:12:26) Practical examples and steps for leveraging discount bonds effectively.
(0:19:11) Income after tax between discount and premium bonds.
(0:22:52) Using corporate class bond ETFs for tax deferral.
(0:25:07) Another case study that demonstrates leveraging home equity to invest.
(0:28:15) Risks and complexities of leverage investing.
(0:33:32) The value of a clear plan and reasonable expectations regarding your risk profile.
(0:36:31) Mark's experience of leverage investing.
Ep 9: Taxable Investing in Canada
Épisode 9
vendredi 15 mars 2024 • Durée 01:11:48
In this episode, we dive deep into the world of income tax and demystify the often intimidating realm of investment taxation. Join us as we break down various forms of investment returns, from interest and dividends to capital gains and more. Discover the impact of tax integration on Canadian dividends and learn how foreign dividends can add a layer of complexity to the process. Explore the critical concept of attribution rules and understand how they influence who pays the tax bill on investment income. We delve into strategies like prescribed rate loan planning and second-generation income planning to optimize your investments over the long term. Gain essential insights into tax-loss harvesting and how to navigate superficial loss rules effectively. Plus, hear valuable tips on asset location to maximize your returns while minimizing tax implications. To gain a deeper understanding of investment taxes and enhance your financial knowledge, tune in now!
Key Points From This Episode:
(0:02:27) Overview of the reasons to consider a taxable investment account.
(0:05:10) Mark and Ben explain the basics of taxes and investing.
(0:09:27) The different types of investment income and how they're taxed.
(0:12:49) Explore the problems associated with tax integration.
(0:14:28) Insights into the myth of dividend investing.
(0:19:36) Unpack the complexity surrounding foreign taxes and dividends.
(0:23:41) Net rental income and capital gains (realized and unrealized) are explained.
(0:31:05) A deep dive into a vital aspect of tax: attribution rules.
(0:45:54) Leverage investing in a taxable account instead of a registered account.
(0:49:04) Comparison of individual with joint investment accounts.
(0:54:14) Common tax pitfalls to avoid and useful tax-reducing strategies.
Ep.8 Case Conference: Choosing the Right Door
Épisode 8
vendredi 8 mars 2024 • Durée 23:45
Today's Case Conference accompanies an episode in which we provide a detailed breakdown of the registered account types available to Canadian investors and how to utilize them. Despite their numerous potential advantages, however, there are still many people who avoid them, primarily because optimizing these can seem too complicated and overwhelming. Our hope is that today's episode will provide you with the confidence and knowledge you need to feel empowered to take the next steps in your investment journey. Tuning in, you'll hear several case studies that address common concerns, like how to avoid having a Retirement Savings Plan (RRSP) that's too big and how to navigate your RRSP and tax-free savings account (TFSA) as a high-income earner. We also get into Registered Education Savings Plans (RESPs), why group RESPs can be so predatory, how to plan your exit from a group RESP if you're already in one, and more. For relatable examples of how to use these accounts, plus the many benefits of diversifying them, listen in today!
Key Points From This Episode:
(0:00:58) Our first case study concerning a technology company employee with restricted share limits (RSUs) as part of their expected compensation.
(0:02:02) Relevance for high-income earners and how to make decisions about RRSPs and TFSAs.
(0:05:35) A case study on two physicians with a young child who want to shift their investment plan from a group RESP to an individual RESP.
(0:06:59) The complexity of group RESPs, why they're predatory, and how to plan your exit.
(0:12:56) Case study three: common fears of a too-big RRSP, especially for those who are incorporated.
(0:15:54) How to optimally use your RRSP or Registered Retirement Income Fund (RRIF) when it comes to tax deferral, tax sheltering, and taking dividends out of your corporation.
(0:17:45) Controlling the income from a corporation, paying yourself dividends, and how to ensure you aren't penalizing yourself.
Ep. 8 Canadian Investment Accounts
Épisode 8
vendredi 1 mars 2024 • Durée 01:29:05
One of the most complex things to navigate when it comes to your personal finances is your choice of accounts and how to use them in the best way possible. In today's episode, we break down the types of accounts available to Canadian investors and how to optimize your use of each one. Tuning in, you'll learn key factors you should consider, including how tax deferral can end up being neutral, beneficial, or harmful — depending on the difference between your current and future tax rate — along with actionable advice on how to navigate these kinds of variables and uncertainty. Starting off, the conversation covers the benefits and drawbacks of tax-free savings accounts (TFSAs) and why it's one of the first accounts you should consider when investing. We then delve into a series of accounts and their characteristics, like Registered Retirement Savings Plans (RRSPs), Registered Retirement Income Funds (RRIFs), and Locked-in Retirement Accounts (LIRAs). Included is a breakdown of the newly legislated First Home Savings Account (FHSA) and how it combines features from both TFSAs and RRSPs to basically create a tax-elimination type of account. Every account has its own set of distinct rules, from contribution limits to withdrawal freedoms and flexibility. To ensure that you're up to date on all the latest, tune in for this comprehensive breakdown of everything from TFSAs to RESPs!
Key Points From This Episode:
(0:03:21) A breakdown of registered and non-registered accounts.
(0:08:59) The benefits and drawbacks of tax-free savings accounts (TFSAs) and why it's one of the first accounts you should consider.
(0:14:30) Being able to withdraw from your TFSA, why that makes it really flexible in terms of how it can be used, and how to avoid over-contribution.
(0:18:48) The risks of speculating and trading in your TFSA and the perks later in life when growing a large TFSA slowly over time with more reliable returns.
(0:25:41) Further nuances of investment taxation that you need to know about with TFSAs.
A breakdown of Registered Retirement Savings Plans (RRSPs), their main attributes, and what you need to know about contribution room and deduction limits.
Intermission Episode
Épisode 8
vendredi 23 février 2024 • Durée 20:05
In this special episode of the Money Scope Podcast, we take a break from their regular content to reflect on the journey so far and engage with our audience. As we pause to catch our breath halfway through the planned core curriculum, we discuss the evolution of the podcast, share listener feedback, and offer insights into what lies ahead. We outline topics covered in the initial episodes, ranging from goal setting to investment basics, and highlight the upcoming shift towards more Canadian-focused content. We express gratitude for the enthusiastic response from our audience and discuss the impact the podcast has had on listeners' financial decision-making and life trajectories. We also share excerpts from listener reviews, address mixed opinions on certain aspects of the podcast, unpack the value of research-backed insights tailored to Canadian professionals, and much more. To uncover the future of the podcast and find out how you can help shape it, tune in now!
Key Points From This Episode:
Introduction and outline of the theme for today's episode. (0:00:17)
Feedback, platform features, and engagement from listeners. (0:02:20)
The Money Scope Podcast versus Rational Reminder. (0:06:45)
Ben responds to feedback regarding his view on dividend investing. (0:07:40)
Mark shares his view on dividends and factor-weighted ETFs. (0:09:30)
Feedback on the podcast's theme, style, and approach. (0:11:59)
Review of the mixed feedback received about the show. (0:14:59)
Ep. 7 Case Conference: Big decisions with real money
Épisode 7
vendredi 16 février 2024 • Durée 19:26
In this episode, we follow the stories of two distinct investors facing unique challenges. First, meet a plastic surgeon in the high-flying tech-driven world of 1997. With a high-risk tolerance and a flourishing practice, this surgeon believes they can conquer the market. However, as the dot-com bubble looms, they must navigate the fine line between risk and reward, teaching us vital lessons about diversification, leverage, and the challenges of the market. Next, explore the journey of a savvy business owner who sold their company at just the right time, amassing substantial cash. Cautious due to past stock market losses, this investor seeks to protect their newfound wealth. We discuss the delicate balance of risk tolerance, financial independence, and how to construct a portfolio that aligns with individual objectives. Throughout these stories, listeners will gain insights into asset allocation, the psychology of risk, and the importance of rebalancing during market turbulence. To discover principles that will help you make informed investment decisions and steer your financial future toward success, tune in today!
Key Points From This Episode:
(0:01:21) Case study one: a plastic surgeon with high-risk tolerance and a successful practice.
(0:02:12) Why they should diversify investments and avoid excessive amounts of risk.
(0:05:10) How human bias plays into decision-making in our first case study.
(0:07:31) An essential lesson from our first case: know your risk tolerance.
(0:11:28) Case study two: an entrepreneur who sold their business and has a significant amount of cash on hand.
(0:12:13) How they should structure their portfolio to safeguard their financial health.
(0:15:55) Benefits of rebalancing and why it is vital, even during a volatile market.
(0:17:59) Closing comments and key takeaways.
Ep. 7: Portfolio Design & Management
Épisode 7
vendredi 9 février 2024 • Durée 02:01:21
Picture your investment portfolio as a carefully crafted puzzle and asset allocation as the key to solving it. It not only helps you navigate the treacherous waters of risk but fine-tunes your investments to harmonize perfectly with your financial dreams. In this episode, we take a deep dive into the art and science of portfolio management. Discover the intricacies of portfolio planning, execution, and maintenance as we dissect this critical aspect of wealth management. We unpack asset allocation with a focus on the stocks-to-bonds ratio, a crucial decision that balances the quest for maximum returns with the need for stability. We uncover the dangers of volatility and behavioural risks and explore strategies to safeguard your financial health. Tuning in, you'll hear how assessing your risk tolerance and automating tasks can lead to a well-crafted portfolio (and why we suggest using a portfolio manager). We also guide you through the maze of asset allocation options and the vital steps for effective portfolio maintenance. Whether you're a seasoned investor or just beginning your financial journey, this episode will equip you with the knowledge you need to navigate the complexities of portfolio management with confidence, so be sure to tune in for expert insights, practical strategies, and actionable advice that will empower you to make informed decisions about your financial health!
Key Points From This Episode:
(0:03:55) Portfolio planning basics, an overview of risk, and the goal of asset allocation.
(0:08:07) Unpacking the concept of 'optimal portfolios' and why it is not achievable.
(0:14:13) Essential asset allocation aspects, the role of human capital, and strategies to manage risk.
(0:20:41) Individualized job skills and their impact on asset allocation in the broader economy.
(0:24:54) How social capital plays into asset allocation from an investment standpoint.
(0:28:25) Risk expected return, correlation of assets in a portfolio, and the different types of risk that should be considered.
(0:36:03) Using historical returns for forecasting expected returns and the nuanced ways that behaviour drives investment decisions.
Ep. 6 Case Conference: This Investment is Hot
Épisode 6
vendredi 2 février 2024 • Durée 37:22
After our detailed examination of the basics of investment strategy, we are now delving into some common case studies that you may encounter on your investing journey. Our studies take us through the looming recession and why it should not be a major concern for investors, the economic activity of America's response to a recession, and deciding on how much, with whom, and when you should invest your money. We also critically assess what you need to be aware of before seeking a lower-cost investment model, how to save while making donations, value versus growth, and what Ben and Mark have to say about a particular hot investment idea.
Key Points From This Episode:
(0:00:49) Why the looming recession has many people worried about investing.
(0:01:45) How a recession affects market prices, and why this isn't a major concern.
(0:02:58) America's economic behaviours in and around a recession.
(0:07:13)Talking through a rationally optimal approach and an emotionally optimal approach.
(0:09:08) Whether to invest it all at once or gradually enter the market.
(0:11:05) Everything you need to consider if you're looking for a lower-cost model.
(0:23:28) Capital gains and other tax implications to note when altering a retirement portfolio.
(0:28:52) A quick look at a smarter way of making charitable donations.
(0:33:47) Why tax deferral can be neutral, beneficial, or harmful, depending on the difference between your current and future tax rate.
(0:36:45) Tax planning opportunities, comparing TFSAs with RRSPs, and key facts about spousal RRSPs and converting RRSPs to Registered Retirement Income Funds (RRIFs).
(0:48:12) A rundown of Locked-in Retirement Accounts (LIRAs) and Life Income Funds (LIFs).
(0:50:06) The advantages and disadvantages of the newly legislated First Home Savings Account (FHSA).
(0:56:14) Everything you need to know about Registered Education Savings Plans (RESPs) and the Canadian Education Savings Grant (CESG).
(01:09:54) How RESPs are similar to TFSAs from a tax perspective, and what happens when your child doesn't pursue a post-secondary education.
(01:15:50) High-level commentary on Registered Disability Savings Plans (RDSPs).
(01:17:26) What high-income Canadians need to consider when it comes to taxes, asset allocation, and tax optimization.
(01:23:19) A review of today's content and what we'll be discussing next time.
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