Blogosphere – Page 4 – Doug Carroll

RRSP over TFSA as default choice – Analyzing marginal & average tax rates

There’s a scene in Doc Hollywood where Michael J. Fox, the fresh med school grad, is readying to airlift a young patient out of the small town for emergency heart surgery. Just before liftoff, the aging local doctor shows up and hands the boy a can of pop – Sip, burp, everybody go home.

Theatrics aside, there’s a lesson here for the RRSP vs. TFSA debate.

Since its introduction in 2009, the TFSA has proven to be a powerful tool that opens up countless possibilities for bettering our financial lives. However, when it comes to retirement savings, the tried-and-true RRSP should be the default choice for most of the population. Here’s why.

Tax treatment IN, tax treatment OUT

Both RRSP and TFSA give you tax-sheltered income and growth on the investments within them. The key difference is what happens on front and back end:

RRSP deposits are pre-tax, while withdrawals are taxable;
TFSA deposits are post-tax, but withdrawals are non-taxable.

Of course, it’s often said that RRSP contributions are tax-deductible, the appeal being the desired refund. However, to convert that to being truly “pre-tax”, all such refunds (and refunds on refunds) must in turn go into RRSPs. That’s already handled through reduced withholding tax on a work-based group RRSP, but with an individual RRSP that’s your own ongoing responsibility.

Base comparison

If your income is taxed at the same rate when contributing and withdrawing, you will net the same amount of spendable cash whether you use the RRSP or TFSA. Using $100 at a 40% rate and a 10% one-year return (for simplicity, not reality), here is what each yields:

RRSP $100 deposit + $10 return = $110 taxable, netting $66 spendable
TFSA $60 deposit + $6 return = $66 spendable

If you are at a higher tax rate going in than out, the RRSP will do better, and vice versa. If you change the example to 40% in and 30% out, the RRSP nets you $77, but the TFSA is still $66. And if your later rate is instead 50%, RRSP nets $55, and once again TFSA $66.

Is it really that simple?

“Same rate” – Marginal or average?

Having made the point about taking care in managing the deductibility of an RRSP contribution, we can’t lose sight that it is indeed a deduction. The benefit is that your RRSP contribution comes off the top at your marginal rate, saving you tax at the highest rate you would otherwise face.

On withdrawal in your later/retirement years, the appropriate measurement is arguably (I’ll come back to this) your average tax rate. Average tax rate is total tax divided by total income. In a progressive tax system where there is more than one bracket, average rate will always be lower than marginal rate.

That in mind, imagine for a moment that there were no contribution limits for either plan type. Even if you were at the same (indexed over time) income level in retirement, the RRSP route would do better than TFSA, because the average rate out must be less than the marginal rate in.

But what’s your own average rate?

In truth, not all your retirement income will come from RRSP savings alone, which brings me back to the arguable point about whether to use the average tax rate as stated above.

Once you begin your CPP and OAS, you have no further discretion whether or not they are paid from year to year. That then forms your foundation lower bracket income, on top of which your RRSP (in the form of a RRIF or annuity draw) is layered. In that case, the applicable average rate should be calculated on the income above this non-discretionary floor. Still, as long as there are at least two brackets, and you were the higher on contribution, this modified average rate will be below your original marginal rate.

It gets more complicated if the OAS clawback comes into play, adding about 10% net to the marginal effective tax rate (METR). But even if you were entitled to maximum CPP and OAS of about $20K, you’d be progressing up through low to mid brackets until you hit the OAS clawback as you neared $80K. Nonetheless, according to my calculations, average rate would still be materially below marginal rate at full clawback around $130K.

Default choice, not dogmatic requirement

To repeat, the point here is that RRSP is the default choice, but that it could be displaced based on other factors.

Factors that bolster RRSP include: the fact that most people live on a lower income in retirement, meaning both lower marginal and average rates; spouses using pension income splitting to bring down their combined average tax rate; and, the availability of the pension credit.

Comparatively, the TFSA may be favoured when: an income earner is at low bracket at saving age; there are already significant RRSP assets; or, a large inheritance/winfall has arisen that affects the timing and/or amount of required drawdown from existing savings.

It’s the financial advisor’s job to identify these and other relevant factors, assess the effect of each, and discuss with their client how to maneuver with that knowledge. In reality, it’s more about proportionality than a binary RRSP vs. TFSA decision. Having an appreciation for the technical underpinning will make for better-informed choices and greater confidence to stay the course.

5undamentals – RDSP – Registered Disability Savings Plan

Published version: Linkedin

Discuss these 5 fundamentals with your advisor to learn how they apply to you, and whether there are further details, qualifications or exceptions to consider.

1. What is a Registered Disability Savings Plan (RDSP)?

Purpose – The RDSP is a long-term savings plan for persons with disabilities and their families. It offers 3 main financial benefits: 1) Government money added to your contributions 2) Tax-sheltered growth of all money in the plan, and 3) Tax eventually borne by the plan beneficiary, not contributors.

Qualifying criteria –

Disability tax credit (DTC) – Application for the DTC is made by or on behalf of an individual using CRA Form T2201. A medical professional must certify that the applicant has a severe and prolonged impairment, providing details of its nature and describing the effects on the person.
Age limit – A plan may be opened any time before the end of the year the person turns 59, and may remain open for the life of the beneficiary, though some events may cause earlier closure.
Canadian resident – The beneficiary must be a Canadian resident when the plan is opened and when any contribution is made. A holder (who is not the beneficiary) need not be a Canadian resident to open a plan, but both holder and beneficiary must have a valid social insurance number at that time.

Effect on other public support –

Federal – Neither RDSP assets nor RDSP withdrawals affect eligibility for federal programs such as the Canada Child Benefit, the G/HST credit, Old Age Security or Employment Insurance.
Provinces & territories – RDSP assets are exempt in determining eligibility for social support programs for persons with disabilities. Similarly, RDSP withdrawals are not generally treated as income that affects the amount of support from such programs, though some jurisdictions have a maximum RDSP withdrawal threshold, beyond which benefits may be reduced.

2. Parties to the arrangement

Parties – The holder enters into a contract with an issuer to save for the future of a beneficiary.

Beneficiary – There can be only be one RDSP for a given beneficiary, and only one beneficiary for each RDSP. Once personal funds are contributed into a RDSP, they belong to the beneficiary, not the holder. Government assistance and earnings also accrue to the beneficiary, but may sometimes be repayable.

Holder – The holder opens the RDSP, names a beneficiary, and makes decisions on the plan, including whether to allow others to contribute. As to who may be a holder, it depends on the age and contractual competency of the beneficiary.

Minor beneficiary – A parent, or a ‘legal representative’, being a guardian, curator or agency authorized by provincial/territorial law. Age of majority is either 18 or 19, by province/territory.
Adult beneficiary who is contractually competent – The beneficiary.
Adult beneficiary who is NOT contractually competent – A legal representative.
Adult beneficiary whose contractual competence is uncertain – A qualifying family member (QFM), generally being a parent, spouse or common law partner (CLP).

Issuer – Financial institution offering RDSP based on a specimen plan submitted and approved by Canada Revenue Agency (CRA); certifies accuracy of applicant information; administers contributions, rollovers and transfers; applies for, receives and deposits CDSG & CDSB; invests funds as directed by holder; provides statement of accounts; makes payments from RDSP to eligible beneficiaries; and is ultimately responsible for maintaining tax-registered status.

3. Contributions and tax treatment

Contribution limits –

Lifetime limit – The lifetime contribution limit is $200,000.
Annual limit – There is no annual limit, but there are annual limits to the amount of government assistance that may be received (see below), which could influence your contribution timing.

Qualified investments – RDSPs may generally invest in the same kinds of deposits and marketable securities allowed for RRSPs and other registered plans.

Tax treatment –

Coming in – RDSP contributions are after-tax, meaning there is no tax deduction for placing funds into a plan. Government assistance is not taxable when credited to a plan.
Within – While in the plan, there is no tax on income or growth, whether on your contributions or on any government assistance.
Coming out – When taken out, all income and government assistance are taxable to the plan beneficiary. The later withdrawal of the portion that is your own contributions is not taxable.

Rollover contributions – Under qualifying conditions, funds held in education and retirement savings plans may roll tax-deferred into a RDSP. These rollover amounts count toward the $200,000 lifetime contribution limit, but do not attract CDSG and will be taxable on withdrawal.

Registered education savings plan (RESP) – One of three criteria must be met, two dealing with plans that have been in place for many years or decades, and the third applying where the beneficiary cannot attend post-secondary school for DTC related reasons. In all cases, only an otherwise accumulated income payment (AIP) of the RESP earnings may be rolled over.
RRSP, RRIF, RPP, PRPP, SPP – These plan types may be rolled over from a parent/grandparent on whom the beneficiary was financially dependent at the time of the former’s death.

4. Government assistance

Family income – Amount of assistance depends on family income. Up to the calendar year when the beneficiary turns 18, it is the family income of the beneficiary’s primary caregiver. Starting the calendar year the beneficiary turns 19, it is the beneficiary’s own family income, which includes the income of a spouse/CLP. [The following income figures are for 2020 entitlements, based on 2019 family income.]

Canada Disability Savings Bond (CDSB) – The CDSB makes an annual payment to a RDSP, regardless of personal contributions. Up to family income of $31,711 it is $1,000, which is then phased-out to zero when family income reaches $48,535. The lifetime bond limit is $20,000.

Canada Disability Savings Grants (CDSG) – The CDSG matches personal contributions at a 1:1, 2:1 or 3:1 rate. If family income is below $97,069, the matching rate is 300% of the first $500 in contributions and 200% of the next $1,000 in contributions. If family income is above this threshold, the rate is 100% of the first $1,000 in contributions. That’s as much as $3,500 in one year, with a lifetime limit of $70,000.

Carryforward and usage timeline – You can carry forward up to 10 years of unused grant and bond entitlements to claim in future years, as long as you meet eligibility requirements in those future years. The annual usage maximum for carried forward CDSG is $10,500, and $11,000 for CDSB. All grants and bonds must be claimed by the end of the year the beneficiary turns 49.

10-year repayment rule – Grant and bond money received in the preceding 10 years may have be returned to the government upon certain events. These include intentional termination of the plan, ceasing to qualify for the DTC, and death of the beneficiary. Consult your issuer to explain all triggering events, and the availability of relief and/or deferral depending on the circumstances.

Provincial assistance – Provinces may also enact programs to assist RDSPs and their beneficiaries.

5. Payments out of the plan

Three payment types – Funds come out of a RDSP by either: 1) Repayment of CDSB, CDSG or provincial support to the respective government 2) Transfer/payment of the holdings to a RDSP for the same beneficiary with another issuer 3) Assistance payment to the beneficiary. Our focus is on the last of these, assistance payments.

Assistance payments – The regulations on drawing funds out of a RDSP are complex, with there being two types of payments to a beneficiary – DAP and LDAP – governed by a variety of rules as to the amount, timing and composition of those payments.

Disability assistance payment (DAP) – A DAP is a RDSP withdrawal at the holder’s request, as made from time to time, payable to the beneficiary or their estate.
Lifetime disability assistance payment (LDAP) – A LDAP is a recurring annual (or more frequent) RDSP withdrawal paid to the beneficiary. Once begun, the LDAP series must continue until the beneficiary is deceased or the funds in the plan are exhausted.
Composition of DAP or LDAP – Each payment is a proportion of each of personal contributions, earnings, CDSB, CDSG and provincial support. The beneficiary/recipient of the payment is taxed on all components, except for the non-taxable return of personal contributions. The beneficiary does not have to be a Canadian resident to receive a DAP or LDAP.
Minimums and maximums – The allowable amount for a DAP or LDAP depends on many variables, including 1) Age, specifically 59-under or 60-plus 2) Whether government support exceeds personal contributions 3) CDSB & CDSG receipts in the preceding decade 4) If the beneficiary’s life expectancy is less than 5 years, and 5) Formulas prescribed by regulations.

Death of beneficiary – Upon the beneficiary’s death, all CDSB, CDSG and provincial support paid in the preceding 10 years must be repaid to the respective government. It is not possible for a RDSP beneficiary to directly name a beneficiary to receive the plan upon his/her death, so the remaining RDSP assets will be a taxable receipt for the beneficiary’s estate, except the non-taxable return of personal contributions. The plan must then be closed no later than December 31 of the calendar year following the year of death.

5undamentals – RESP – Registered Education Savings Plan

Published version: Linkedin

Discuss these 5 fundamentals with your advisor to learn how they apply to you, and whether there are further details, qualifications or exceptions to consider.

1. What is a Registered Education Savings Plan (RESP)?

Purpose – The RESP is designed to help families and friends save for a child’s post-secondary education. It offers 3 main financial benefits: 1) Government money added to your contributions, 2) Tax-sheltered growth of all money in the plan, and 3) Tax eventually borne by the student-beneficiary, not contributors.

Post-secondary education – Qualifying education programs include apprenticeship programs, CEGEPs, trade schools, colleges and universities, in Canada or abroad. Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC) keeps a master list of designated educational institutions on its website.

Plan type – An individual plan has one beneficiary. A family plan may include one or more of a parent, sibling, child or grandchild of a subscriber, whether by blood, adoption or step-relationship. A group plan is a collection of individual non-family plans administered based on age-determined groups.

How long a plan may stay open – There is no minimum or maximum age to open an individual plan, and you can even set one up for yourself. Contributions to a plan may be made up to 31 years after opening, and it may stay open for 35 years. If the beneficiary qualifies for the disability tax credit in year 31, contributions are allowed through 35 years, and it may stay open for 40 years.

2. Parties to the arrangement

Parties – The subscriber enters into a contract with a promoter to save for the education of a beneficiary.

Subscriber – There is generally no restriction on who may be a subscriber, other than being an individual (ie., not a corporation or trust). This person must provide a Social Insurance Number (SIN) to the promoter in order for the plan to be registered with the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA).

Beneficiary – Beneficiaries must be residents of Canada with a SIN when the designation is made by the subscriber. Beneficiaries of family plans created after 1998 must be under 21 when designated.

Promoter – A promoter is an organization that offers RESPs to the public. In order to do so, the promoter must first obtain written approval of a specimen plan from the CRA Registered Plans Directorate.

3. Contributions and tax treatment

Lifetime limits – From 1996 to 2006, the lifetime contribution limit was $42,000 for each beneficiary. Since 2007, the lifetime limit is $50,000. This dollar limit may be spread across any number of plans.

Annual limits – An annual contribution limit of $2,000 applied in 1996, and $4,000 from 1997 to 2006. Since 2007, there is no annual limit, but there are limits to the amount of government assistance that may be received annually (see below), which could influence your contribution timing decision.

Qualified investments – RESPs may generally invest in the same kinds of deposits and marketable securities allowed for RRSPs and other registered plans.

Tax treatment –

Coming in – RESP contributions are after-tax, meaning there is no tax deduction for placing funds into a plan. Government assistance is not taxable when credited to a plan.
Within – While in the plan, there is no tax on income or growth, whether on your contributions or on any government assistance.
Coming out – When taken out for the beneficiary’s education, all income and government assistance are taxable to the student-beneficiary. The later withdrawal of the portion that is your own contributions is not taxable. (See below, “Funds coming out of a plan”)

Excess contribution tax – If the lifetime limit is exceeded across all plans for a beneficiary, each subscriber for that beneficiary is liable to pay a 1% per-month tax on his or her share of the excess contribution that is not withdrawn by the end of the month.

4. Government assistance

Basic Canada Education Savings Grants (CESG) – The basic CESG is up to $500 annually, paid by matching 20% of your contributions up to $2,500. Unused room carries forward to claim on top of a future year’s room, to a combined annual maximum of $1,000. Room is earned whether or not an RESP is open. The lifetime maximum is $7,200. Any CESG must claimed before the beneficiary turns 18.

CESG for age 16 & 17 – CESG grants are only available for ages 16 & 17 if you’ve put in at least $2,000 by the end of the year your child turns 15, or at least $100 in any 4 years by then.

Additional CESG (A-CESG) – On the first $500 of contributions, A-CESG is paid if the beneficiary’s primary caregiver is in the first two federal tax brackets, being $48,535 and $97,069 for 2020 income. It’s an additional 20% match up to $100 if in the first bracket, or 10% up to $50 if in the second bracket.

Canada learning bond (CLB) – For an eligible child in a low-income family, the CLB provides $500 for the first year of eligibility and $100 annually to age 15, for up to $2,000 total. Eligibility depends on income of the primary caregiver and any cohabiting spouse/common law partner (CLP), and the number of children in the home. No personal contributions are required in order to receive the CLB.

Provincial support – Some provinces contribute to RESPs using matching and/or age-related criteria.

5. Dealing with the accumulated plan

Funds coming out of a plan – The subscriber may choose how much and what type of draw is to be taken from the RESP. The when depends on the criteria for each type of draw.

Education assistance payment (EAP) – An EAP is any payment to a beneficiary to further his or her post-secondary education. It comprises the income and any allocation of government assistance, and is fully taxable to the beneficiary. A maximum of $5,000 may be taken in the first 13 weeks of a full-time program, though ESDC will consider requests beyond this level on a case-by-case basis. There is no dollar limit thereafter, but for requests over an indexed annual threshold ($24,432 in 2020), the promoter must seek the review/consent of ESDC.
Refund of contributions – RESP contributions can be returned to the subscriber at any time without tax consequences. However, they may trigger a repayment of government assistance, which should be confirmed with ESDC before initiating.
Accumulated income payment (AIP) – This is a payment of the income to the subscriber, generally only if all beneficiaries have reached age 21, with none eligible for an EAP, and the plan having existed at least 10 years. An additional 20% tax applies (effectively matching the matching grant rate), which may be avoided by allocating the AIP to a subscriber or spousal RRSP. Once any AIP is taken, the plan must normally be closed by March of the following year.
Rollover to Registered Disability Savings Plan (RDSP) – If at any time the beneficiary qualifies for the RDSP, a tax-free rollover of the RESP income may be possible. Government assistance from the RESP will not roll to the RDSP (so must be returned to ESDC, or province per its rules), and the amount rolled over will not qualify for RDSP government assistance.
Payments to a designation educational institution – If funds remain in the plan and the subscriber does not qualify under the foregoing draw options, a payment may be made to a Canadian designated educational institution. The subscriber is neither taxed on the amount, nor allowed a donation receipt.

Sole subscriber, lifetime transfer – During lifetime, a sole subscriber may only transfer a plan to a spouse/CLP, which must be as part of a division of assets under a written agreement or court order.

Joint subscriber, transfer at death – After 1997, only spouses may be joint subscribers. They’re bound by the promoter’s contract while both are living, and upon a death the survivor becomes the sole subscriber.

Sole subscriber at death – On death, the plan becomes the property of the estate, to be dealt with in one of three ways: 1) You may direct in your Will to transfer to a successor subscriber, not necessarily a spouse/CLP, 2) The plan may continue with your estate as subscriber, or 3) The plan may be wound down with the net proceeds directed as either a specific legacy or as part of the estate residue.