Ep 166 - Cybersecurity for Retirees: Protecting Your Digital Wealth
In this episode of Your Retirement Planning Simplified, Joe Curry unpacks essential cybersecurity lessons for retirees, based on insights from expert Darren Mar, Director of Client Solutions at NPC Dataguard, who recently led an informative cybersecurity webinar for clients of Joe’s firm, Matthews + Associates. Learn how to protect your retirement savings, personal data, and peace of mind from online threats with simple, practical steps that safeguard your digital and financial life.
Key Takeaways
Cybersecurity is part of retirement security.
Your wealth, identity, and digital assets are all connected — protecting them is as important as managing your investments.
Most cyberattacks target individuals, not just corporations.
Retirees are prime targets because of their savings, steady income, and tendency to trust legitimate-looking communications.
Five essential layers of protection.
Multi-factor authentication, long passphrases, regular software updates, secure backups, and professional-grade security tools dramatically reduce your risk.
Awareness beats fear.
You don’t need to be a tech expert — just build consistent habits, question unexpected messages, and know what to do if something feels off.
Peace of mind is part of your plan.
Cybersecurity helps protect not only your money but your confidence and independence in retirement.
Insights Worth Sharing
“If you weren’t expecting it, delete it.”
“Retirement security isn’t just about your investments anymore — it’s about your digital security too.”
“If the account holds money or personal information, turn on multi-factor authentication. Period.”
“It’s not about being smart or tech-savvy; it’s about being aware.”
“A strong password is good. A long passphrase is better.”
“When your information is secure, you can focus on enjoying retirement — not worrying about what might go wrong online.”
Resources
Darren Mar, Director of Client Solutions at NPC Dataguard
Darren recently led a webinar about Cybersecurity for our Fall 2025 Client Event at Matthews + Associates
Cybersecurity & Identity Theft Checklist
Request your free copy by emailing us: info@retirementplanningsimplified.ca
YRPS Ep #97 Blog: Safeguard your Savings: Outsmart Cybercriminals Targeting Your Money with Scott Wright
Previous YRPS episode with related content
Cybersecurity in Retirement.
Protecting Your Wealth, Identity, and Peace of Mind
When most people think about retirement planning, they picture investment strategies, tax efficiency, and income withdrawals. But in today’s world, your digital security is just as important as your financial security.
In a recent client event at Joe’s firm, Matthews + Associates, cybersecurity expert Darren Mar joined us to discuss how retirees can protect themselves from one of the fastest-growing threats to their wealth: cybercrime. And as I listened, one thing became crystal clear — safeguarding your retirement means safeguarding your digital life, too.
Many people assume hackers only go after large companies, but the truth is, individuals — especially retirees — are prime targets. Why? Because you often have more savings, regular income, and an online footprint that makes you visible. And unfortunately, cybercriminals know that people in this stage of life tend to trust legitimate-looking messages from their bank, CRA, or even their advisor.
But here’s the good news: protecting yourself doesn’t require deep technical knowledge. It comes down to a few simple layers of defense that drastically reduce your risk.
Turn on multi-factor authentication (MFA) wherever possible — banking, email, investments, social media. It stops 99% of attacks by adding one small verification step.
Use long passphrases instead of short, complex passwords. Think of a sentence you can remember — it’s easier for you and harder for hackers.
Keep your devices updated. Software updates often include vital security fixes, so don’t ignore those notifications.
Back up your data securely. Use cloud backups or unplugged external drives so your photos, documents, and financial records are safe even if your computer is compromised.
Invest in reputable protection software. Free tools often sell your data — paid solutions offer real defense.
Beyond the technology, awareness is key. If you weren’t expecting an email or request, pause before clicking. And if something goes wrong, disconnect from the internet, stay calm, and contact someone you trust.
Cybersecurity might not feel like traditional financial planning, but it absolutely belongs in your retirement plan. You’ve spent decades building your wealth — don’t let one careless click undo it. When your information is secure, you gain more than protection — you gain peace of mind.
Learn more about our retirement planning process at MatthewsAndAssociates.ca.