Episode Takeaways: • Estate taxes can be steep — especially for beneficiaries who don’t realize how much of the estate is taxed before they receive a cent • RRIFs (and RRSPs) are fully taxed at death, often pushing income into the highest bracket on the T1 terminal return • Strategic withdrawals matter — don’t just take the minimum; plan your income to minimize the final tax burden • Cash flow after death is critical — probate freezes assets, so planning for liquidity (funerals, legal costs) is a must • Corporations are powerful for wealth building, allowing business owners to grow assets using before-tax dollars • Retained earnings create a snowball effect, building up unused capital that can grow faster—but also attract more tax if unmanaged • Corporate vs. personal investments: Investing inside your corporation lets you work with 88-cent dollars vs. 50-cent personal dollars • Permanent insurance can shelter corporate cash, grow tax-free, and pay out through the Capital Dividend Account — potentially tax-free to your heirs