Retirement can replace a dependable paycheque with two government deposits that are considerably less generous. Even the maximum Canada Pension Plan (CPP) and Old Age Security (OAS) payments for a 65-year-old currently total just $2,259.62 per month before tax. That may cover the basics, provided retirement doesn’t contain groceries, property taxes, or any fun whatsoever.
Most Canadians won’t receive the maximum CPP. The average new pension at 65 was $877.01 per month in April 2026, while the maximum OAS payment for someone aged 65 to 74 is $751.97. Together, that’s approximately $1,628.98 monthly or $19,547.76 annually before tax.
Actual amounts depend on contribution history, retirement age, income, and years spent living in Canada. Both benefits receive inflation adjustments, yet they aren’t designed to replace an entire working income. A retirement lasting 25 or 30 years can also introduce healthcare, housing, and home-maintenance costs that didn’t politely appear in the original budget.
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Building a second paycheque
The income gap can be filled using workplace pensions, Registered Retirement Savings Plans (RRSP), Registered Retirement Income Funds (RRIF), and investments held inside a Tax-Free Savings Account (TFSA). RRIF withdrawals are taxable, while TFSA withdrawals generally aren’t included in taxable income or used to calculate federal income-tested benefits.
That distinction becomes important for higher-income retirees. The 2026 OAS recovery-tax range begins at net world income of $95,323, with 15% of income above the threshold repaid. RRIF withdrawals and investment income outside registered accounts can push retirees closer to that line. TFSA withdrawals won’t join the shoving match.
A collection of well-covered Canadian dividend stocks can therefore provide tax-free income while continuing to grow. One insurer already helping Canadians prepare for retirement could also help fund it.
SLF
Sun Life Financial (TSX: SLF) provides insurance, employee health benefits, wealth management, and investment services across Canada, the United States, and Asia. This diversification allows it to earn premiums and management fees rather than depending entirely on one economy or product.
First-quarter underlying earnings per share (EPS) increased 4% to $1.89, while assets under management reached $1.6 trillion. Sun Life stock’s underlying dividend payout ratio was 49%, sitting within management’s 40% to 50% target range.
The quarterly dividend increased from $0.92 to $0.96, producing an annualized payment of $3.84. At the recent $114.70 share price, that creates an approximately 3.3% yield. In fact, $7,000 investment would purchase 61 full shares and generate approximately $234.24 in annual TFSA income. That won’t close the retirement gap alone, although repeated contributions, dividend increases, and reinvestment could build a considerably larger paycheque.
| COMPANY | RECENT PRICE | NUMBER OF SHARES | ANNUAL DIVIDEND | ANNUAL TOTAL PAYOUT | FREQUENCY | TOTAL INVESTMENT |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SLF | $114.70 | 61 | $3.84 | $234.24 | Quarterly | $6,996.70 |
Looking ahead
Sun Life stock completed its acquisition of Bell Partners in July, adding a U.S. multifamily real estate investment manager to its asset-management platform. It also recently acquired the remaining interests in BGO and Crescent Capital, potentially increasing fee-producing earnings as those businesses expand.
The shares trade near 21 times trailing earnings at writing, so they’re reasonably valued rather than abandoned in the bargain aisle. Second-quarter results arrive August 6 and should provide the next look at Asian insurance growth, asset-management flows, and acquisition progress.
That said, market declines can reduce asset-management fees, while weaker economies, insurance claims, credit losses, currency movements, or acquisition problems could pressure earnings. Sun Life stock’s dividend isn’t guaranteed, and its current price leaves less room for disappointment than a deeply discounted stock would.
Bottom line
CPP and OAS can provide the foundation, while years of TFSA contributions can construct the rest of the house. If Sun Life keeps expanding earnings and raising its dividend, today’s modest quarterly income could become a far more comfortable retirement paycheque later.
