Episode 60: Will You Outlive Your Money… or Will Your Money Outlive You?

Published March 23, 2026

One of the biggest fears in retirement isn’t market volatility — it’s running out of money.


In this episode of Money Monday, Darren Devine addresses one of the most common questions retirees ask: Will my money last?

Living longer is a blessing. But without a coordinated income strategy, longer life can increase financial pressure.
This episode explores:
→ How retirement income is structured to last
→ Why withdrawal order matters
→ The impact of inflation over time
→ How market volatility affects long-term sustainability
→ The difference between saving for retirement and drawing income from it

Key takeaway: Retirement planning isn’t just about reaching a number — it’s about building a strategy designed to support you for decades.

With the right plan in place, retirement becomes less about fear — and more about confidence.

Call now

Related Money Monday Episodes

Planning for retirement isn’t just about reaching a number — it’s about making sure your income, strategy, and decisions continue to support you over time.
If you’re thinking about how to make your money last, these Money Monday episodes offer helpful insights into building sustainable, reliable retirement income.

Episode 56: What Will Your Paycheque Be in Retirement in 2026? 
Retirement income often comes from multiple sources. This episode helps you understand how those pieces work together to create a reliable monthly “paycheque.”

Episode 26: RRIF Rules You Should Know 
Understanding how and when to draw income from your RRIF is an important part of making your savings last throughout retirement.

Episode 53: 3 Tax Moves Retirees Should Consider Before Filing 
Tax decisions don’t just affect this year — they can impact your income over time. This episode explores how thoughtful tax planning supports long-term sustainability.

Episode 52: Do You Have a Written Plan — or Just Good Intentions? 
A written plan provides clarity and structure, helping you make confident decisions about income, withdrawals, and long-term planning.

Episode 29: Keys to a Successful and Secure Retirement 
A strong retirement strategy brings together income, planning, and protection — helping you build confidence in your financial future.

Darren Devine, CFP®, CLU®

Financial Planner, Sun Life
President of Devine and Associates Financial Services Inc.

One of the top fears we hear is, ‘What if I live longer than my money?’
I like to flip that question to: ‘How do we make sure your money outlives you?’

Hello, and welcome to Money Monday, where we help simplify your financial journey.
I'm Darren Devine, Financial Planner with Sun Life and President of Devine & Associates. I’ve been helping families across Ontario plan for, transition into, and enjoy retirement for over 20 years.

The truth is, many retirees today need to plan for 25 to 30 years of income after they stop working. That’s a long time—and it’s why “winging it” isn’t a strategy.

A simple back-of-the-napkin way to start thinking about this is:

  • Look at your total retirement savings
  • Think about how long you realistically might need that money to last
  • Then ask: “If I drew a steady amount each year—without draining it too quickly—what would that look like?”

It’s not a perfect calculation, but it gets you thinking in terms of sustainable withdrawals, not just “what’s in the account today.”

From there, we layer in two key pieces:

  1. Guaranteed income tools
    Things like government benefits, pensions, and annuities create a base paycheque you can’t outlive. They cover the essentials—housing, groceries, basic bills—so you’re not relying entirely on markets for your day-to-day life.
  2. Flexible investments
    Your RRIFs, TFSAs, and non-registered accounts give you flexibility—for travel, helping family, home repairs, and the “fun money” that makes retirement feel like retirement. They also provide growth potential to help combat inflation over time.

The real confidence comes when you see how these pieces work together in a written income plan: what’s guaranteed, what’s flexible, and how much you can reasonably spend without constantly worrying you’ll run out.

This isn’t a fear you need to carry—or solve—on your own.
It’s exactly what financial planners like us are here for: to test the numbers, stress-test the plan, and help you feel comfortable spending the money you’ve worked so hard to save.

Thanks for tuning into Money Monday. Don’t forget to like and comment for more episodes filled with tips to help make your financial journey a breeze. Until next time, I'm Darren Devine, and you can always talk to us today at DevineAndAssociates.ca!

Talk to us today