-  "Snowbird Survey" finds women more concerned than men about living
       abroad in retirement
    -  Access to health care coverage is a key factor for men and women
    -  TD Waterhouse and TD Canada Trust launch www.tdretirement.com

    TORONTO, Oct. 6 /CNW/ - A new national poll released today by TD
Waterhouse on the retirement plans of Canadian baby boomers has uncovered
significant differences between men and women concerning their appetite to
spend time living abroad. For both genders, however, health care coverage is
the biggest factor in their decision to spend time outside of Canada each
year.
    Among all respondents, 45% say they will spend one month or more out of
the country annually when they retire. However, significantly more men (52%)
than women (37%) say they will do so. The survey goes on to explore 15 factors
that might influence the decision to spend time living abroad in retirement.
For each factor, women are more concerned than men - and on several factors,
women are significantly more concerned. For example:

    -  91% of women worry about being able to afford living outside of
       Canada vs. 77% of men
    -  81% of women are worried about being away from family or friends
       vs. 65% of men
    -  67% of women are concerned about getting into a retirement home when
       they need it vs. 49% of men
    -  48% of women are concerned about being lonely away from home
       vs. 33% of men
    -  81% of women are concerned about their personal safety and the crime
       rate in foreign countries vs. 72% of men

    "Clearly women and men hold different views about living abroad in
retirement, particularly whether or not they can afford it. This can be a big
problem when couples are planning their retirement together," says Patricia
Lovett-Reid, Senior Vice-President, TD Waterhouse. "It is very important for
couples to have a discussion well in advance and work with a financial
professional to develop a retirement plan. Having a plan will not only
alleviate some of the concerns but will also help couples align their goals."

    Factors Impacting Decision to Live Abroad During Retirement:

    Less than one-in-five of all respondents plan to live outside Canada for
more than three months a year and only 16% plan to buy a home outside the
country. Their plans are comparable to an extended vacation rather than a
long-term or permanent move abroad.
    Access to health care is the leading factor in Canadians' decision to
spend time abroad each year, with 94% of respondents citing it (72% say it is
very important, 22% say somewhat important). Concern about the quality of
health care outside Canada comes next, with 84% citing it (53% say it is very
important, 31% say somewhat important). On both access to health care and
quality of health care, women's responses are similar to men's, although
somewhat more pronounced.
    Only one-quarter of respondents say they have taken the time to
investigate, either on their own or through talking to a financial
professional, the financial or tax implications of living outside Canada.
    "With our winters, it's understandable that many Canadians want to spend
some time abroad in retirement. Yet relatively few have discussed the
implications with a financial professional," says Lovett-Reid. "For example,
if concerns about losing health care coverage is putting a damper on how long
Canadians will live abroad each year, there may be solutions that provide
sufficient coverage outside the country - thereby allowing people to stay
abroad longer without worry."

    Other Findings:

    -  Among those who plan to spend one month or more outside Canada each
       year, half (51%) indicate it is because they want to be in a warmer
       climate. One-third (34%) say it is because they want the different
       life experience that living abroad will give them.

    -  84% would rent outside Canada vs. 16% who would purchase a home
       abroad.

    -  The desire to spend one month or more abroad declines from west to
       east: West 49%, Ontario 47%, Quebec 39%, and Atlantic Canada 32%.

    -  The vast majority (87%) intend to remain Canadian citizens when they
       retire, 13% would seek dual citizenship if it were available, and none
       would relinquish their Canadian citizenship.

    TD Waterhouse, with TD Canada Trust, also announced today the launch of
www.tdretirement.com, an interactive resource for retirement education,
awareness and advice. The site offers a fresh look at retirement planning by
offering Canadians strategies for meeting lifestyle and financial goals for
retirement.
    "Life goals and financial goals go hand in hand. That's why it's so
important to think about what you really want out of retirement," concludes
Lovett-Reid. "If you expect to travel or live abroad annually, having a
retirement plan will go a long way in making your dreams a reality. And if
you're looking for an excellent resource to help you plan for the lifestyle
you want during retirement, www.tdretirement.com is a great place to start."
    Conducted by Angus Reid Strategies, the TD Waterhouse "Snowbird Survey"
consists of 1000 online interviews completed between September 10-15, 2008
with Angus Reid Forum panelists aged 50-65 from across Canada. The poll's
margin of error is +/-3.1%, 19 times out of 20.

    About TD Bank Financial Group

    The Toronto-Dominion Bank and its subsidiaries are collectively known as
TD Bank Financial Group. TD Bank Financial Group is the seventh largest bank
in North America by branches and serves approximately 17 million customers in
four key businesses operating in a number of locations in key financial
centres around the globe: Canadian Personal and Commercial Banking, including
TD Canada Trust; Wealth Management, including TD Waterhouse and an investment
in TD Ameritrade; U.S. Personal and Commercial Banking through TD Banknorth
and Commerce Bank (to be known together as TD Bank); and Wholesale Banking,
including TD Securities. TD Bank Financial Group also ranks among the world's
leading on-line financial services firms, with more than 5.5 million on-line
customers. TD Bank Financial Group had CDN$509 billion in assets as of July
31, 2008. The Toronto-Dominion Bank trades on the Toronto and New York Stock
Exchanges under the symbol "TD", as well as on the Tokyo Stock Exchange.

For further information: Stephen Ledgley, NATIONAL Public Relations,
(416) 848-1376, sledgley@national.ca