Registered Retirement Income Fund (RRIF)
Are you aware that when you turn 71, you will need to convert all of your RRSPs? This is when a RRIF comes into play. It affords you total control of your capital and has flexible withdrawal terms.
WHAT IS A RRIF?
A RRIF is the logical successor to an RRSP both as a tax shelter and as a continued growth investment. It makes your investment grow tax-free while giving you access to the money saved in your RRSP in the form of retirement income. You may withdraw funds according to your needs, however, a minimum amount must be withdrawn every year. All withdrawals from a RRIF are taxable and considered income.
PARTICULARITIES OF A RRIF
- There is no age limit to open a RRIF.
- Transferring an RRSP to a RRIF does not influence your investments, their related interest rate or maturity date.
- RRIF s are a means to receive periodic income during retirement, on a monthly, quarterly, semi-annual or annual basis. Withdrawals from a RRIF must be added to your annual income and are taxable in the year they are received.
- RRIFs are subject to an annual minimum withdrawal. The amount is based on your age, or that of your spouse, and on the balance. The table below demonstrates the multiplication factor to be applied to the RRIF balance in order to assess the annual minimum withdrawal corresponding to your age (for eligible RRIF set up after January 1993).
- RRIFs allow you to withdraw funds at any time, over and above the minimum required withdrawal. Of course, the more you withdraw, the more you deplete your RRIF.
- RRIFs afford protection for your spouse whereby, in case of death of the participant, the funds are transferred to the RRSP or RRIF of the surviving spouse.
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CHARACTERISTICS | |
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Converting an RRSP into a RRIF | No minimum age to convert an RRSP into a RRIF. The conversion must be completed before December 31st of the year you turn 71. |
Liquidating a RRIF | There is no maximum age to liquidate a RRIF. It carries on until funds run out. |
Eligible investments | GIC, Term Deposit, ActionGIC, mutual funds, etc. |
Contributions | It is not possible to contribute to a RRIF. Only funds from an RRSP can be transferred to a RRIF. |
Minimum withdrawal |
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Maximum withdrawal | No limit. |
Foreign content limit | Since June 28, 2005, the investment cap on foreign content has been lifted for registered accounts. |
Summary
This investment product is suited for you if:
- You prefer a self-directed investment;
- You want your investment to grow taxfree;
- You wish to withdraw any given amount at any time (subject to a minimum amount).
This investment product is not suited for you if:
- You have only a supplemental pension plan;
- You have never contributed in a RRSP.
Legal notice
Existing investment accounts are offered by Laurentian Bank of Canada (“Laurentian Bank”) or LBC Financial Services Inc. (“LBCFS”). LBCFS is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Laurentian Bank and a legal entity, distinct from Laurentian Bank, B2B Trustco, and any issuers or mutual fund companies whose products it distributes. All new investment account opening must be through LBCFS. A Laurentian Bank advisor is also a licensed LBCFS mutual fund representative. LBCFS’s liability is limited to the conduct of its representatives in the performance of their duties for LBCFS.