Calculating the Limit for RRSP Contributions

Discovering Your Unused RRSP Contribution Allowance

If you find yourself uncertain about the amount of RRSP contribution room you possess (or if you even have any at all), there are convenient methods to retrieve this information. You may easily access it through the CRA website or consult your most recent tax documents.

Alternatively, you can calculate your contribution room by subtracting the amount you contributed this year from your RRSP deduction limit from the previous year. For instance, if your deduction limit at the beginning of 2022 stood at $40,000 and you made a $5000 contribution this year, your total contribution room would amount to $35,000.

Consequences of Excessive RRSP Contributions

Should you find yourself in a situation where you have over-contributed to your RRSP, the repercussions can vary depending on the extent of the excess.

If your over-contribution amounts to $2,000 or less, the CRA will not levy any penalties against you, but those surplus funds will not be eligible for tax deductions. However, if your over-contribution surpasses $2,000 (even if only by a minuscule amount), the government will send you a formal notice advising you to remove the excess funds. Failure to comply with this directive will result in a monthly penalty of 1% on the exceeding amount remaining in your account. Furthermore, if you do not settle these penalties promptly, you will also incur substantial late fees, compounding the overall amount owed.

Nevertheless, if the excess contributions were made inadvertently, you always have the option to apply for a waiver of the penalties.

Establishing an RRSP

Many employers provide a Group RRSP, which functions similarly to the United States' 401K plan. These group plans receive funding from deductions made from the paycheques of employees, including yourself and your colleagues. In certain cases, your employer might even match a percentage of your contributions, typically ranging from 1% to 5% of your salary. In such instances, it is beneficial to contribute enough to maximize your employer's contribution, as this effectively grants you additional funds without any costs. In the event that your workplace does not offer a Group RRSP or if you desire an additional RRSP aside from the one provided by your employer, you can always establish your own RRSP with a financial institution of your choice. Generally, you have two options in this regard:

RRSP for Spouse or Common-Law Partner

Spouse or common-law partner RRSPs are ideal for couples aiming to divide their retirement income equally, particularly if one partner earns a higher annual income than the other. Under this arrangement, the higher-earning partner contributes on behalf of both individuals and claims a tax deduction, enabling their counterpart to also benefit from an equitable share of the eventual retirement income.

Authorized Investments for RRSPs

RRSPs offer a wide range of investment options and assets, including:

• Equities: These encompass various forms, such as mutual funds, index funds, exchange-traded funds (ETFs), or individually selected stocks if you possess the necessary knowledge and expertise.
• Guaranteed investment certificates (GICs): If you prefer a low-risk approach, this deposit product is worth considering. GICs provide fixed interest rates and are typically government-insured.
• Bonds: As part of the fixed-income investment category, bonds consist of loans granted to companies or governments. The level of interest paid by bonds depends on the financial stability of the borrowing entity. Typically, the higher the interest rate (compared to other borrowers), the riskier the bond becomes. There are also bond ETFs and mutual/index funds available.
• Mutual funds
• Savings accounts
• Mortgage loans
• Investment vehicles such as income trusts and labour-sponsored funds
• Utilizing foreign currency

What occurs with an RRSP after retirement?

Upon reaching the age of 71, individuals must decide between liquidating their RRSP or transforming it into a Registered Retirement Income Fund (RRIF). This RRIF will provide consistent monthly payments based on the funds accumulated within the RRIF, which will be taxed at the individual's marginal tax rate.

As an example, if you are 71 years old and possess 0,000 in retirement savings, your RRIF will disburse $2,640 per month. If this constitutes your sole income source, you will face a marginal tax rate of 12%, ultimately leaving you with $2,323.20 per month.

RRSPs vs. TFSAs

Although both RRSPs and TFSAs can function as retirement savings vehicles, the choice between the two primarily depends on an individual's present financial circumstances and future plans.

RRSP contributions are tax-deductible, but the withdrawals are taxable. Therefore, they suit individuals with high current incomes, who anticipate a lower income during retirement. By utilizing their RRSP contributions to reduce annual taxes, they can pay less tax on their RRSP income once they retire and reside in a lower tax bracket. Despite the limited flexibility of taxable withdrawals from RRSPs, this is not a pressing concern, as the funds are not needed during the growth period.

In contrast, TFSAs operate differently. Withdrawals from a TFSA are tax-free, but contributions are subject to taxation. Consequently, individuals will pay taxes on their deposits when young and contributing, and later benefit from tax-free withdrawals. This makes TFSAs ideal for those within lower tax brackets, who anticipate higher income in the future, such as small business owners and entrepreneurs. If taxes are inevitable, it is advantageous to pay them in a lower tax bracket, resulting in a lesser impact. Additionally, TFSAs offer liquidity, allowing individuals to withdraw funds as needed from the account (check your TFSA limit here).

However, it is worth noting that there are no restrictions against owning both an RRSP and a TFSA, and they can complement each other exceptionally if an individual has the capacity to contribute regularly to both.