Not Getting Enough CPP Money? Do This to Make Up for It

You can get a lot of dividend income by investing in stocks like Brookfield Asset Management (TSX:BAM).

| More on:

You’re reading a free article with opinions that may differ from The Motley Fool’s premium investing services. Become a Motley Fool member today to get instant access to our top analyst recommendations, in-depth research, investing resources, and more. Learn More

CPP money is rarely enough for Canadians to live off of in retirement. The average payout for a person taking CPP at age 65 is $760 per month. The maximums are around $1,300 per month taking benefits at 65, and $1,855 a month taking benefits at 70. If you take CPP at 70, your benefits might cover rent in smaller cities. CPP alone won’t cover all of a person’s expenses anywhere.

Some Canadians can make up for low CPP payouts with employer sponsored pension plans. Defined benefit (DB) plans have fixed payouts, though, so they lose inflation-adjusted value over the beneficiary’s life. For a person with a very long life expectancy, relying on just a DB plan and CPP might not be the best idea.

Realistically, you’ll want to supplement your government and employer sponsored pensions with investments. With retirement accounts like RRSPs and TFSAs, you can build a miniature “pension plan” of your own, and possibly cover all of your retirement expenses.

How much money you need to live off of in retirement

According to Spring Financial, the average Canadian has $1,708 per month in rent plus $736 per month in other living expenses. That brings total expenses to $2,444 per month. There is no possible CPP payout that can cover $2,444 in monthly expenses. CPP and OAS combined just barely cover it, if you take CPP at 70 and get the maximum monthly benefit. However, that requires waiting through your sixties, and having earned the maximum pensionable amount for many years. Not very many people actually collect a $1,855 per month CPP cheque in practice.

CPP benefits are taxable just like any other form of income. A $1,855 monthly CPP cheque produces a $22,260 annual income. Taxes on $22,260 are negligible, as the first $15,000 isn’t taxable, and the next $15,000 to $53,000 is taxed at only 15% federally. The provincial taxes on such levels of income vary. For example, amounts between $15,000 and $51,466 are taxed at 5% in Ontario. Realistically, a person earning $22,260 in CPP will probably pay just $1,000 in taxes, if that.

Even still, that’s enough to diminish the feasibility of covering $2,444 in expenses with CPP and OAS. The maximum OAS payment is $713 per month. Add that to the maximum CPP cheque and you’re at $2,568 per month. That’s $30,816 per year. Apply a 20% tax to the $15,816 that’s taxable and you get a $3,163 tax bill. Take that off the $30,816 pre-tax amount and you’re at $27,653. Divide by 12 and you’re at $2,308 per month. About $136 short of what you’d need to cover $2,444 in living expenses.

What to do if you aren’t getting enough CPP money

If you aren’t getting enough CPP money, you’ll need to save money, and invest it in stocks, bonds, and index funds. You’ll need a diversified portfolio of these – investing all of your money in just one stock is very risky.

If you’re looking for a starting point in building a short list of stocks you want to invest in, you could consider Brookfield Asset Management (TSX:BAM). It’s a major asset manager that manages funds for investors. Its funds are popular all over the world, especially in the United States, where BAM is every bit as respected as the country’s own top financials. BAM is extremely profitable, with a 50% net margin (meaning that half of every dollar of revenue turns into profit). It also pays a dividend that yields 3.18%. So, you can collect income from the stock without having to worry about timing share sales.

Created with Highcharts 11.4.3Brookfield Asset Management PriceZoom1M3M6MYTD1Y5Y10YALLwww.fool.ca

In general, beginner investors are advised to invest in diversified portfolios of stocks and bonds. The Motley Fool recommends at least 25 stocks, while others recommend investing in ultra-diversified portfolios in the form of index funds. Those often have hundreds of stocks. You can’t go putting 100% of your money in BAM, but it’s a starting point.

Should you invest $1,000 in Barrick Gold right now?

Before you buy stock in Barrick Gold, consider this:

The Motley Fool Stock Advisor Canada analyst team just identified what they believe are the Top Stocks for 2025 and Beyond for investors to buy now… and Barrick Gold wasn’t one of them. The Top Stocks that made the cut could potentially produce monster returns in the coming years.

Consider MercadoLibre, which we first recommended on January 8, 2014 ... if you invested $1,000 in the “eBay of Latin America” at the time of our recommendation, you’d have $20,697.16!*

Stock Advisor Canada provides investors with an easy-to-follow blueprint for success, including guidance on building a portfolio, regular updates from analysts, and two new stock picks each month – one from Canada and one from the U.S. The Stock Advisor Canada service has outperformed the return of S&P/TSX Composite Index by 29 percentage points since 2013*.

See the Top Stocks * Returns as of 3/20/25

This article represents the opinion of the writer, who may disagree with the “official” recommendation position of a Motley Fool premium service or advisor. We’re Motley! Questioning an investing thesis — even one of our own — helps us all think critically about investing and make decisions that help us become smarter, happier, and richer, so we sometimes publish articles that may not be in line with recommendations, rankings or other content.

Fool contributor Andrew Button has positions in Brookfield Asset Management. The Motley Fool recommends Brookfield Asset Management. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.

Confidently Navigate Market Volatility: Claim Your Free Report!

Feeling uneasy about the ups and downs of the stock market lately? You’re not alone. At The Motley Fool Canada, we get it — and we’re here to help. We’ve crafted an essential guide designed to help you through these uncertain times: "5-Step Checklist: How to Prepare Your Portfolio for Volatility."

Don't miss out on this opportunity for peace of mind. Just click below to learn how to receive your complimentary report today!

Get Our Free Report Today

More on Dividend Stocks

calculate and analyze stock
Dividend Stocks

Here’s How Many Shares of Brookfield Renewable You Should Own to Get $500 in Quarterly Dividends

If you want some dividends on deck, then consider this energy producer, which could provide that and more.

Read more »

TFSA (Tax free savings account) acronym on wooden cubes on the background of stacks of coins
Dividend Stocks

Here’s Exactly How $15,000 in a TFSA Could Grow Into $215,000

If you're looking to grow your $15,000 investment into $200,000, here's exactly how to get it done.

Read more »

A worker gives a business presentation.
Dividend Stocks

Navigating Economic Headwinds and Buying the Dip

If you're looking to get in on the markets, but fearful of the market dip, then here's how to navigate…

Read more »

Canadian Dollars bills
Dividend Stocks

A 10% Dividend Stock Paying Cash Every Month

This dividend stock doesn't only offer a massive income, but a variety of investments during this volatile period.

Read more »

TFSA (Tax-Free Savings Account) on wooden blocks and Canadian one hundred dollar bills.
Dividend Stocks

Income-generating Stocks That Could Accelerate Your TFSA Growth in 2025

Generate tax-free passive income in your TFSA with these two stocks and grow your wealth.

Read more »

woman looks out at horizon
Dividend Stocks

How I’d Invest $8,500 in Canadian Financial Services to Create a Wealth Legacy

Canada’s financial services sector can help you create a wealth legacy from a less than $10,000 investment.

Read more »

Person holding a smartphone with a stock chart on screen
Dividend Stocks

Is BCE Stock a Buy for its Dividend Yield?

BCE stock looks pretty appealing with a 12% dividend yield, but there's more to consider.

Read more »

Blocks conceptualizing Canada's Tax Free Savings Account
Dividend Stocks

TFSA: Invest $15,000 in This TSX Stock and Create $962.55 in Annual Passive Income

If there's one TSX stock to buy right now, it's this long-term hold that's been around for over 100 years!

Read more »