Can I retire at age 63? And when should I convert my RRSP to a RRIF?

A reader named Paolo wants to know whether he can comfortably retire at 63 and how to time the move from an RRSP to a RRIF, and his case captures a worry shared by many: drawing down savings too quickly early on and risking running short later. This piece works through the kind of thinking that question deserves, looking at how spending, income sources and the sequence of withdrawals come together to determine whether a plan holds up over a long retirement. It is a reminder that the conversion to a RRIF, which must happen by the end of the year you turn 71, is one piece of a larger decision about pacing your money. It is a relevant read for anyone eyeing an earlier-than-traditional retirement who wants to test whether the numbers truly support stepping away when they hope to.