Financial Services Martin Merry & Reid strongly believe that to meet our obligation of managing your insurance and financial needs, we must also offer a full range of financial service products. We have partnered with industry professionals who have many years of experience with the following financial services: Insurance Life Insurance Disability Income Protection Critical Illness Protection Long Term Care Insurance Annuities Group Benefits Mortgage Protection Business Owner Pension Programs Investments Portfolio Analysis and Construction Investment Funds Guaranteed Investment Certificates Guaranteed Investment Annuities Segregated Funds Retirement Savings Programs We would welcome the opportunity to discuss or review your current plans, or provide you with further information regarding a particular product or service. You may contact us online, or feel free to email your request to dbrowne@mmr.ca,  or please call us at, 416-366-3333, x228 and ask for David Browne. Insurance
Life Insurance Although life insurance is not a favourite topic, it should not be ignored. If you have a spouse, children or other dependants, you should definitely consider purchasing life insurance. We all have a responsibility to protect those that are dependent on us and life insurance is the best way to guarantee your loved ones will be financially secure when you die. Basically, two different types of life insurance are available - insurance for a specified 'term' and 'permanent' insurance. Which one is for you will depend on how long you will need the coverage. Another item for consideration is the amount of coverage desired – the higher the coverage, the higher the premium. Your age, health, smoking status and job function will all have an impact on the premium amount. Your Professional Advisor can assist you in determining the type and amount of coverage to suit your specific needs.
Disability Income Protection Disability insurance is a product designed to provide you with a monthly income in the event of disability. The insurance is available for people presently employed, so that in the event of injury or illness that prevents you from earning an employment income, the insurance policy will provide a guaranteed source of funds to meet daily living expenses. You can choose to be insured against disability caused by an accident or sickness, or you can have a plan that will provide coverage only if the disability arises from an accident. A waiting period normally applies and the longer the waiting period, the lower the premium. A number of factors go into determining the eligible monthly benefit, including current income, occupation, smoking habits, age and the period for which benefits would be payable. Your Professional Advisor can assist you in obtaining the best coverage to suit your needs.
Critical Illness Protection A significant number of people will suffer from a serious illness each year and with current medical advancements many will survive and recover from those illnesses. Critical Illness insurance is a relatively new product in Canada that was introduced to offset financial burdens experienced by people who survive a serious illness. It helps you maintain your pre-illness lifestyle during your recovery. Critical Illness provides you with a lump sum payment following diagnosis of any of the 20 specified diseases to assist in the cost of recovery. You may use this payment any way you choose, i.e. treatment abroad, alternative medicines, health care bills, pay off debts, etc. Critical Illness insurance can offer the security of knowing your financial future is protected in the event you become critically ill.
Long Term Care Insurance Many older people will be faced with the risk of having to enter a nursing home for Long Term Care services. Long Term Care insurance protects you and your family in the event extended care is required. It is the type of care you may need if you cannot perform 'daily activities' such as bathing, dressing, etc. It also covers the care needed after suffering from a 'severe emotional impairment' such as a stroke or Alzheimer's. Skilled nursing care or rehabilitation training can be received in your home or in an assisted living facility.
Annuities An annuity is a contract between you and an insurance company, under which the insurer agrees to make periodic payments to you that can begin immediately or at some future date. The annuity can be purchased with one single payment or a series of payments. Annuities are treated on a tax-preferred basis, which means you pay no taxes on the income and any investment gains until you withdraw your money. It is important to note that annuities are designed to meet retirement and other long-range goals and are not suitable for short-term goals. Your Professional Advisor can assist you in determining the various annuity options available to you.
Group Benefits As a small to medium sized business owner, understanding the benefits of investing in a group insurance plan for your employees is important. It can be a cost-effective way of complementing your compensation structure as well as making your company a more desirable place to work. Our group of insurers can provide coverage for life, health, disability and dental benefits. Some may also include retirement benefits.
Mortgage Protection Many homeowners purchase mortgage insurance that is offered by the financial institution that carries their mortgage. Unfortunately, this type of insurance usually comes at a higher cost and allows you very little control. By purchasing a personal life insurance policy you will have a plan that is portable, offers complete flexibility and allows you to direct the use of the funds, as well as the recipient.
Business Owner Pension Programs Many registered and non-registered retirement savings programs are available to individuals and corporations, including RPPs (Registered Pension Plans), DPSPs (Deferred Profit Sharing Plans), RRSPs (Registered Retirement Savings Programs), IPPs (Individual Pension Plans), RCAs (Retirement Compensation Arrangements), DBPPs (Defined Benefit Pension Plans) and DCPPs (Defined Contribution Pension Plans). We can assist you in determining which program meets your individual or corporate goals and objectives.
Investments
Portfolio Analysis and Construction Clients will now be able to receive advice and financial solutions relating to their investments.  We will analyse, recommend and implement investment solutions to build, or improve and complement your existing portfolio - in keeping with your risk tolerance, objectives and investment horizon.  Re-balancing and taxes are also important consideration and strategies are designed for both Registered and non-registered accounts.
Investment Funds An investment fund is a company that brings together money from many people and invests it in stocks, bonds or other assets. The combined holdings of stocks, bonds or other assets the fund owns are known as its portfolio. Each investor in the fund owns shares, which represent a part of these holdings.
Guaranteed Investment Certificates Guaranteed Investment Certificates (GICs) are deposits made with a financial institution. They are offered for a period of thirty days to thirty years and provide you with a set rate of interest if you agree to keep the money in the GIC for the required period. The interest earned may be paid out monthly, semi-annually, annually or even compounded. GICs are safe investments, however, if you lock your money in for a long period of time and interest rates rise, you will lose the opportunity to earn more on your investment. Also, if you need to access your money before the GIC matures, you will likely lose some of the interest. GICs usually pay a higher rate of interest than basic savings accounts.
Guaranteed Investment Annuities Guaranteed Investment Annuities (GIAs) are similar to GICs but they are offered through an insurance company and because of this, they provide the following additional benefits: You can name a beneficiary – this will allow the value of your annuity to be paid directly to the designated beneficiary upon your death thus avoiding estate and probate fees. Creditor protection – if a named beneficiary is provided and one that qualifies under provincial law, annuities are protected against creditors in the event of bankruptcy or potential lawsuit. Your investment is guaranteed – specific insurance legislation is in place to guarantee your investment up to certain limits in the unlikely event that the insurer becomes insolvent. You can make deposits to a GIA with a lump sum payment, deposits at regular intervals or with flexible payments and they can form part of a registered or non-registered investment plan.
Segregated Funds Segregated funds are investments held within an insurance contract. They are similar to mutual funds but with some additional features and benefits. Segregated funds provide you with access to diversified investment portfolios allowing you to spread your assets amongst a variety of investments thereby lowering the portfolio's overall risk. Segregated funds come with certain guarantees that will protect your investment from volatility within the marketplace. Specific insurance legislation is in place to protect your investment up to certain limits, regardless of how the market performs. Segregated funds offer a death benefit that can flow directly to your named beneficiary without passing through your estate.
Retirement Savings Programs The government has created a number of new registered savings plans over the past few years, most recently the Tax Free Savings Account, (TFSA) and the Registered Education Savings Plan program (RESP’s).  Traditional registered plans continue to be available, eg. RRSP’s, RRIF’s, LIF’s, etc., and are important retirement and estate planning financial tools. We can assist you in determining which program meets your individual goals and objectives.