As a financial professional in Calgary, one of the most common questions I hear is: “How much do I actually need to retire?”

That’s where your Financial Independence Number (FIN#) comes in. It’s the estimated amount of money you may need to retire while maintaining your lifestyle—and it’s the first building block of a thoughtful retirement strategy.

We all know our PIN# for banking and our SIN# for government services, but surprisingly few Canadians know their FIN#—and that’s a number worth knowing.

💡 Why Knowing Your FIN# Matters

Without a clear idea of your retirement needs, you might risk:

• Retiring before you’re truly ready
• Running out of money sooner than expected
• Facing financial pressure in your later years
• Relying too heavily on limited government benefits

These risks can be reduced with proper planning.

📈 Don’t Let Inflation Derail Your Plans

One common oversight in retirement planning? Underestimating inflation. While 2% may not sound like much, it compounds over time—reducing the value of your money and increasing future expenses like:

• Groceries and household goods
• Property taxes and utilities
• Health care and medications
• Home maintenance and transportation

Even diligent savers can be caught off guard. That’s why inflation should always be factored into your FIN# calculation.

📊 Hypothetical Scenario: What Could Your Retirement Portfolio Provide?

To help illustrate the value of calculating your FIN#, here’s a simplified example using some conservative assumptions:

• $500,000 saved
  → Approx. $25,000/year in income over 30 years
• $750,000 saved
  → Approx. $37,500/year
• $1,000,000 saved
  → Approx. $50,000/year

Assumptions: 5% average return, adjusted for 2% annual inflation over 30 years. These are illustrative only and not indicative of actual investment performance.

And don’t forget:

• RRSP withdrawals are fully taxable
• CPP and OAS provide support, but are often not enough to cover full retirement expenses
• Healthcare costs and lifestyle choices can vary widely in retirement

🧠 Planning With Purpose

You don’t have to figure this out alone. At Arlene Financial, we help you:

✔️ Calculate your personalized FIN#
✔️ Build a flexible savings and investment strategy
✔️ Plan tax-efficient withdrawals
✔️ Adjust for inflation and potential market changes
✔️ Integrate benefits like CPP and OAS into your plan

🎯 Your FIN# = Your Freedom

Knowing your FIN# isn’t just a number—it’s a way to take back control. It helps you plan with clarity, act with confidence, and feel more secure about your financial future.

Because retirement shouldn’t feel like a guessing game—it should feel like peace of mind.

📅 Let’s figure out your FIN# together

Disclaimers

World Financial Group (WFG) is a financial services marketing company whose affiliates offer a broad array of financial products and services. World Financial Group Insurance Agency of Canada Inc. (WFGIA) offers life insurance and segregated funds. WFG Securities Inc. offers mutual funds.
WFG, WFGIA and WFGS are affiliated companies.
Headquarters: 5000 Yonge Street, Suite 800, Toronto, ON M2N 7E9. Phone: 416.225.2121

This material is intended for educational purposes only. It should not be considered tax, legal, or investment advice. Please consult with a qualified financial, legal, or tax professional for personalized guidance. Hypothetical examples are for illustrative purposes only and do not reflect actual investment returns.