Mutual funds are a popular investment choice as they provide the opportunity to invest your money across a variety of countries, markets, sectors and securities, creating a diversified investment portfolio. With so many options and possible combinations our Wealth Management Representatives are comm itted to gaining a complete understanding of your financial and investment needs and goals to develop your personal wealth management plan. Members can access a comprehensive line-up of mutual fund product offerings including the most popular and best managed mutual funds in Canada; including Mackenzie, Fidelity, Meritas SRI Funds, and more.

We are also proud to provide members with statements that summarize your mutual fund portfolio holdings and current market value so you always stay informed and on top of your investments - complimentary advisory services which help to ensure that your investment portfolio matches your financial needs, investment style, and goals.

Registered Retirement Savings Plans (RRSP's) An RRSP is an investment tool to help you save for your retirement, while also lowering the income tax that you may pay during your working years. Money contributed to an RRSP is shielded from tax as it goes in and can be invested on a tax-free basis until it’s withdrawn during retirement, at which time what is withdrawn is taxed as income.

With an RESP you can contribute up to $50,000 per child and because RESPs are registered plans, your savings grow tax-free while in the plan. As an incentive the government provides a Canada Education Savings Grant of 20% on the $2,500 in annual contributions for children up to age 18. The maximum annual grant is $500 per child, with a lifetime grant limit per child of $7,200. As soon as your children begin using their RESP funds to go to school, the income becomes taxable in the child's hands. In most cases, since the student has very little income, any income earned within the RESP is taxed at the student's lesser marginal rate. Mainstreet provides access to several RESP products including mutual funds, as well as our own RESP term deposits administered by our trust services partner.

RRIF - You've worked and saved for your golden years. Now they are here and you are ready to reap the rewards. Make the most of your RRSPs, Deferred Profit Sharing Plan and/or Registered Pension Plan by choosing the wisest retirement income plan for you. You control the amount of income you receive You control the types of investments your RRIF supports At death, the balance of your RRIF is available to your survivors. Useful for estate preservation and is the most flexible type of retirement income option.

Online Investing & Brokerage

Mainstreet is pleased to partner with Qtrade Investor — Canada's leading independent online brokerage. Qtrade Investor offers you, among other things:

• Market-leading service and support: Qtrade Investor has frequently been rated the #1 online broker in Canada by The Globe and Mail, and rated The Best Discount Brokerage by Morningstar.
• A full range of investment options including stocks, mutual funds and fixed income securities.
• Comprehensive investment tools and research, news, real-time quotes, portfolio watchlists, email alerts and more.
• Low trading commissions.
• Easy electronic funds transfer to and from your chequing account.

Sign-up for your Qtrade Investor account today!

LIF - Provides payments for life by acting as a RRIF to age 80, when the balance must then be converted to a Life Annuity. Provides flexibility in the early years of your retirement and security in later years. Available for those with locked-in funds in RRSPs or Registered Pension Plans who want a choice of investments and income level.

Save your money and the taxes! A Tax Free Savings Account (TFSA) is a registered general-purpose savings product that allows you to earn tax-free interest income in the account to more easily meet your short-term or lifetime savings needs whether it be to purchase a new car, renovate a house, start a small business or take a family vacation. A TFSA can make an excellent complement to an RRSP and may be used to maximize retirement savings and income when RRSP contribution limits have been reached.