How to Invest $1M at Retirement – And Plan for Your Spouse/Heirs

We wrap up our retirement mini-series with a powerful question: “How would YOU, Mike, invest $1 million at retirement?” We’ll also explore how he’d plan for his spouse—who has an entirely different investing mindset—and how to make sure your heirs aren’t left guessing. This episode is about more than investing. It’s about peace of mind.

Download The Canadian Retiree’s Guide to Income-Producing Investments Now!

You’ll Learn

Why $1 Million?
The amount isn’t the point—it’s about easy math. The same strategy can be applied to any portfolio of any size using percentages.

Focus is on withdrawal strategy and structure, not the dollar amount.
Whether you have $200K or $2M, the framework remains.

Dividend Growth Investing at Retirement
Mike sticks with his strategy for over a decade, but with some tweaks.

Focus on total return, not yield.
Invest in thriving businesses that consistently grow revenue, earnings, and dividends.
This approach aims to beat inflation and protect capital over time.

Adjusting for Retirement Realities
Managing a portfolio when you’re retired isn’t the same as during the accumulation phase.

A pure stock portfolio can work, but it requires liquidity planning.
Use a 3-bucket approach: liquidity (GICs/cash), stability (dividends), and growth (capital appreciation).
Mike suggests holding enough cash to cover 3 years of market downturns.

Planning for a Non-Investing Spouse
Mike’s wife isn’t interested in stocks, so he’s building a plan that works without him.

A single all-in-one ETF (like XGRO or XCQT) is the go-to backup.
Keep it ultra-simple: sell the stocks, buy the ETF, and chill.
Option B? Hire a good advisor—not just to manage investments, but to create a comprehensive plan.

The Tools You’ll Need
Retirees managing their own portfolios must stay organized.

Build or use tools that consolidate all accounts for better tax optimization and income tracking.
Use a screener to replace underperforming stocks and keep your dividend triangle strong.

Know the Traps
Mike warns against common retirement investing mistakes.

Don’t chase yield or assume dividends are guaranteed.
Never rely on hope—understand how each holding fits your plan.
Dividend growth isn’t “set it and forget it”—review quarterly, adjust annually.

Leaving a Legacy—Not a Headache
It’s not just about your retirement—it’s about what happens after.

Have a clear, simple backup plan for your spouse and heirs.
The goal is peace of mind, not perfection.

Ready to Take Control of Your Retirement Plan?

After helping hundreds of Canadians as a financial planner, Mike is now hosting a free, value-packed webinar to help you answer 6 of the most pressing retirement questions:

Do I have enough to retire?
How can I reduce fees?
How do I pay less taxes?
How can I spend more and still have enough?
What if the market crashes?
How do I know I’m doing the right thing?

Thursday, May 22nd at 1PM ET – Online – free registration

Includes:

The full replay (even if you can’t attend live)
Handouts & tools for live attendees
A full hour of Q&A after the 50-minute presentation, 100% Canadian content
Limited to the first 500 participants live

Mike will walk you through 6 key retirement upgrades that can reshape your strategy and give you peace of mind, whether you’re a few years away or already retired.

Register now and get the replay for free: retirementloop.ca/webinar

Or Download The Canadian Retiree’s Guide to Income-Producing Investments Now!