Looking to build a nest egg?
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Looking to build a nest egg?
We’ll get you there.
Whether you’re just beginning to save, buying your first home, or planning for retirement, VCU Financial can help get you there with a range of investment solutions and a personalized approach.
Our investment planning process starts with understanding you – your stage, circumstance, risk tolerance and budget. From there, we customize an investment strategy with the right mix of mutual funds* and/or segregated fund products to suit your unique situation.
You don’t need big dollars to get started. Take your first step toward the financial future you want.
Whether you’re just beginning to save, buying your first home, or planning for retirement, VCU Financial can help get you there with a range of investment solutions and a personalized approach.
Our investment planning process starts with understanding you – your stage, circumstance, risk tolerance and budget. From there, we customize an investment strategy with the right mix of mutual funds* and/or segregated fund products to suit your unique situation.
You don’t need big dollars to get started. Take your first step toward the financial future you want.
Our investment vehicles
An investment vehicle is like a special container or tool that helps you put your money to work and potentially grow it over time. It can include segregated funds, mutual funds, ETFs and index funds, stocks and GICs.
At VCU Financial, our investment vehicles include mutual funds* or segregated fund policies. Both of these vehicles can be invested in a range of financial products such as RRSPs, TFSA, RIF and RDSPs, etc. Each investment vehicle has its own rules and risks, so it’s important to choose the one that suits your financial goals, circumstance and risk profile.
A VCU Financial insurance or wealth management advisor can help identify the right vehicle for your financial journey.
Mutual funds*
Mutual funds allow investors to pool their money in a single fund managed by experts who buy different securities for the fund. This way, your money is spread across various investments, which can help reduce the impact of market ups and downs. Mutual funds give investors an affordable way to access stock markets that can be adjusted to suit the investor’s risk profile.
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- they can be influenced by market fluctuations, both up and down
- they’re not subject to probate in an estate disbursement when invested in an RRSP with a named beneficiary
- they are not typically protected from creditors
Segregated funds
Segregated funds are only available through licensed insurance providers. They offer benefits like principal protection guarantees and death benefit guarantees, making them better suited to investors who are risk-averse. These funds offer a unique combination of insurance and investment features.
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- they offer a maturity or death benefit guarantee, typically ranging from 75% to 100% of the principal investment
- they’re not subject to probate in an estate disbursement when invested in an RRSP or non-registered fund with a named beneficiary
- as life insurance contracts, they’re protected from creditors in case of bankruptcy or financial difficulties.
Our investment products
Tax-Free Savings Accounts (TFSAs)
A Tax-Free Savings Account (TFSA) is a special savings plan that lets you grow and access your money without having to pay taxes on the earnings. Because you can withdraw money from your TFSA at any time without penalty, it's a useful option for both short and long-term savings goals. The maximum annual contribution is $6,500 per year, but you can carry forward any unused contribution room from previous years. VCU Financial uses mutual funds* and segregated funds as investment options for TFSAs.
Registered Disability Savings Plans (RDSPs)
An RDSP is a long-term savings plan to help Canadians with disabilities and their families save for the future. If you have an RDSP, you may also be eligible for grants and bonds to help with your long-term savings. RDSPs are available to Canadian residents (with a SIN number) who have a long-term disability, are under 60 and are eligible for the Disability Tax Credit.
See the Government of Canada’s Registered Disability Savings Plan (RDSP) website for more details.
Registered Retirement Savings Plans (RRSPs)
RRSPs are an essential part of any retirement plan, but they also offer financial benefits for today. By contributing to a Vision Credit Union RRSP every year, you build your retirement nest egg, and you also net significant income tax deductions from your investment. The funds will be taxable when you withdraw them as retirement income later, but presumably, your income and taxation level will be lower at that point. RRSPs are also available as Spousal RRSPs, in which the higher income earning spouse can contribute to their spouse’s plan.
Your RRSP can include different kinds of investments, like GICs, savings accounts, mutual funds, and stocks and bonds. VCU Financial uses mutual funds* and segregated funds as investment options for TFSAs.
* Mutual funds are offered through Aviso Wealth
Registered Retirement Investment Funds (RRIFs)
A RRIF provides regular retirement income from investments previously held in your RRSP. Here’s how it works. Before you retire, you invest in your RRSP where your money can grow, tax-sheltered. Once you retire, you can roll your RRSP investment into a RRIF. Once it becomes an RRIF, you draw an income from it while the funds continue to grow in the RRIF, tax-sheltered until they are withdrawn.
VCU Financial offers fixed term and variable rate RRIF plans to provide maximum flexibility for your retirement income options.
Insured Annuity
An insured annuity provides retirement income with tax and estate planning advantages. With an insured annuity, the policyholder makes a lump sum payment to the insurance company in exchange for monthly payments. By the annuity is insured, an amount equal to your original deposit is issued to your beneficiary when you pass away.
Advantages:
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- The financial security through a guaranteed monthly income
- Higher after-tax income
- Protection against inflation and market losses
- Your original payment in the annuity can be issued directly to a beneficiary, bypassing probate and estate fees
Self managed investments
Qtrade Direct Investing™
We’ve partnered with Qtrade* to provide you with online investing from one of Canada’s top online brokers. If you prefer to self-manage your own investments, Qtrade empowers you to make your own trades when you want to make them.
Qtrade Features:
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- Easy to use, award-winning trading platform
- Access ETFs, mutual funds, stocks, bonds, GICs, options and new IPOs
- $8.75 per stock trade, $6.95 for more active traders
- Non-registered and registered accounts, including cash, margin, RSP, TFSA, RESP, RIF and more
- Research tools, market news, model portfolios, technical data and more
- Prompt, friendly service
Our services