Waterfall Wealth · Canada

Three-Generation Waterfall Model

Tax-deferred growth · Tax-free death benefit · CDA mechanics · Policy-loan liquidity

Tax-Free (3 Gens Total)

Sum across G1 + G2 + G3

Total premiums paid

Cumulative funding

Wealth multiplier

Tax-free ÷ premiums

Break-even year

Cash value ≥ premiums

Cash value compounds tax-deferred inside the policy. The death benefit grows from paid-up additions purchased by dividends. Break-even is the year cumulative cash value catches up to cumulative premiums paid.

At each generational transition (G1→G2→G3), the death benefit transfers tax-free to heirs. For corporate ownership, the CDA credit (Death Benefit − ACB) is the tax-free portion that can flow out to shareholders.

The taxable comparison invests the same premium each year in a portfolio earning the chosen pre-tax return, taxed annually as interest income at the marginal rate. A simple, conservative benchmark.

Year Age Gen Premium Cash Value Death Benefit ACB CDA Tax-Free → Heirs Taxable Alt