Mainstreet Credit Union - What is an RRSP?
Written By: Aviso Wealth
What is an RRSP?
A registered retirement savings plan (RRSP) is a special kind of investment account designed to help you save for retirement. It is registered with the Government of Canada. You can contribute funds to an RRSP for yourself, and you can also contribute to an RRSP for your spouse or common-law partner. Your contributions to an RRSP are tax deductible and can be used to reduce your tax.
You can use the contributions to purchase investments, and the gains and income generated from those investments are not taxed as long as the funds remain in the plan. However, withdrawals from your RRSP are treated as taxable income
What is a self-directed RRSP?
With a self-directed RRSP, you have the freedom to oversee the investments in your RRSP. You can make all the decisions about which investments to buy or sell, and manage your account when it’s most convenient for you.
What types of investments can I hold in an RRSP?
You can hold a wide range of investments within an RRSP, including stocks, ETFs, mutual funds, bonds, GICs, and cash.
How much can I contribute?
There are limits to how much you can contribute each year to your RRSP or to your spouse’s RSP. The maximum allowable contribution for the 2024 taxation year is: $31,560. Your allowable contribution room is the lower of:
• 18% of the earned income reported on your tax return for the previous year
• The maximum annual contribution limit for the year, which is set by the government
• The remaining limit after any employer-sponsored pension plan contribution
• You can carry forward unused RRSP contribution room since 1991.
To find out the exact amount you can contribute this year, as well as your carry-forward contribution room, check your most recent Notice of Assessment from Canada Revenue Agency (CRA), or log in to your online account with CRA.
Is there an annual deadline to contribute?
In order to be eligible for an RRSP deduction in a specific taxation year, you can make contributions anytime during that year, or up to 60 days into the following year.
How long can I contribute?
You can contribute to your RRSP until December 31 of the year in which you turn 71. After that, you must withdraw the assets, convert them into a registered retirement income fund (RRIF) or purchase an annuity.
When can I start contributing?
There is no minimum contribution age, but you must have earned income reported to CRA. The sooner you start contributing to your RRSP, the better, in order to take advantage of the power of compounding.
Mutual funds are offered through Credential Asset Management Inc. and Qtrade Asset Management (a tradename of Credential Asset Management Inc). Mutual funds and other securities are offered through Qtrade Advisor and Credential Securities, a division of Credential Qtrade Securities Inc. Credential Securities is a registered mark owned by Aviso Wealth Inc.
Aviso Wealth Inc. (“Aviso Wealth”) is the parent company of Credential Qtrade Securities Inc. (“CQSI”), Credential Asset Management (“CAM”), Qtrade Asset Management (“QAM”) and Northwest & Ethical Investments L.P. (“NEI”). NEI Investments is a registered trademark of NEI. Any use by CQSI, CAM, QAM or NEI of an Aviso Wealth trade name or trademark is made with the consent and/or license of Aviso Wealth. Aviso Wealth is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Aviso Wealth Limited Partnership, which in turn is owned 50% by Desjardins Financial Holdings Inc. and 50% by a limited partnership owned by the five Provincial Credit Union Centrals and the CUMIS Group Limited.