With 2025 marking the final year of legislative updates for the Canada Pension Plan (CPP) enhancement, here’s everything you need to know about the latest rates, thresholds, and contributions, including the second earnings ceiling, Year’s Additional Maximum Pensionable Earnings (YAMPE). What is CPP2? Introduced as part of the CPP enhancement, CPP2 contributions apply to earnings Continue reading
CPP Eligibility Changes and Increases 2025: What Every Canadian Retiree Needs to Know
The Canada Pension Plan (CPP) is a vital income source for retirees across Canada. To address rising inflation and the growing cost of living, the government has made key adjustments to the CPP program for 2024. Here’s a breakdown of these changes, who qualifies, and how they impact beneficiaries. Key Updates to CPP Eligibility and Continue reading
Labour’s Disability Benefit Shake-Up: Progress or Uncertainty for Thousands?
The Labour government’s ambitious plans to overhaul the disability benefits system have sparked a mix of cautious optimism and deep anxiety among disabled people and advocacy groups. The changes, outlined in the “Get Britain Working Again” White Paper, aim to streamline assessments, improve support for disabled people in the workforce, and reduce the welfare spending Continue reading
B.C. Mutual Fund Dealer Fined $50K for Misappropriating $3.8M of Seniors’ Funds
Canada’s investment industry regulator, the Canadian Investment Regulatory Organization (CIRO), has imposed severe sanctions on B.C. mutual fund dealer Lorne Stuart Allison after he diverted millions of dollars from retirees’ accounts to make unauthorized investments. In addition to a lifetime ban from conducting securities-related business, Allison has been fined $50,000 and ordered to disgorge $19,846 Continue reading
Meta Complies with CRTC’s Order to Disclose Information on Online News Act Compliance
After initially resisting, Meta has now agreed to comply with a directive from the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) to publicly disclose details of its news-blocking measures. This comes as part of the company’s response to the Online News Act, which mandates platforms like Facebook and Instagram to compensate media outlets for displaying their Continue reading
Canada $15 Billion AI Boost Incentives to Power Green Data Centres
The Canadian federal government is reportedly considering a groundbreaking initiative to bolster its position in the global artificial intelligence (AI) and green energy sectors. A proposed $15 billion incentive package aims to encourage major domestic pension funds to invest in state-of-the-art AI data centres powered by renewable energy, according to sources cited by The Globe Continue reading
$255 Cost of Living Concession Payment 2024: Essential Support for Low-Income Households
Understanding the Cost of Living Concession: Essential Support for Low-Income Households The Cost of Living Concession (COLC) is a vital financial assistance program designed to help individuals and families with low or fixed incomes manage their everyday expenses, such as council rates, energy bills, and medical costs. Introduced to replace the council rate concession, the Continue reading
Australians Hit Hard by Health Insurers’ Secret Premium Hikes: A Loophole Exposed
Millions of Australians are being overcharged for private health insurance as companies exploit a loophole that circumvents government regulations on premium increases. A report from the Commonwealth Ombudsman reveals the widespread use of a practice called “product phoenixing,” which allows insurers to raise costs for certain customers while avoiding scrutiny. How Insurers Exploit the System Continue reading
Reserve Bank of Australia Holds Cash Rate Steady at 4.35% in Final 2024 Decision
The Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) has wrapped up 2024 with its final monetary policy decision, announcing that the cash rate will remain unchanged at 4.35% for the ninth consecutive month. This decision, made at the Board’s meeting on Tuesday, keeps the rate at a 12-year high, a level maintained since November 2023 to combat Continue reading
WA Households to Receive $350 Cost of Living Boost: Here’s What You Need to Know
As part of ongoing efforts to combat cost-of-living pressures, households across Western Australia (WA) are about to benefit from a $350 electricity credit. This subsidy marks the second instalment of the state’s two-part electricity relief program, which aims to ease financial burdens on families and individuals during the holiday season. What is the $350 WA Continue reading