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RRSP Guide: Why

By MoneySense Staff on February 15, 2012
Estimated reading time: 3 minutes

Should I use an RRSP or a TFSA?

By MoneySense Staff on February 15, 2012
Estimated reading time: 3 minutes

Start with a TFSA, when your income goes up add an RRSP.

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Confused by another set of letters? Don’t be. TFSAs, or Tax-Free Savings Accounts, are simply one more way to shelter your money from the taxman. The difference is that with RRSPs, you get a tax break when you contribute. When the money’s withdrawn, you’re taxed. For TFSAs, the process reverses. There’s no tax break up front, but the government can’t get its paws on your money when the funds are withdrawn. So which is better? It all depends on how much money you make. Canadians earning less than $36,000 should use TFSAs, says Gordon Pape, author of The Ultimate TFSA Guide. The reason is that people with lower incomes can make more in retirement than they do when they are working, due to the government benefits you get at age 65. You always want to pay income taxes when your income is lower, so if you make less than $36,000 it’s better if the money is taxed before you put it in your retirement savings, as is the case with a TFSA. Plus, when you retire, the money you take from TFSAs isn’t considered income, so it won’t result in clawbacks to Old Age Security and the Guaranteed Income Supplement. The same isn’t true for RRSPs. If you’re just starting your career and earning in the $30,000 range, you could start with TFSAs and when your income goes up, you could switch to RRSPs. Not only will you get larger tax breaks, but you’ll have built up lots of extra RRSP contribution room from the years you were using a TFSA instead.

What is an RRSP?

What is an RRSP?

How much should I contribute?

How much should I contribute?

Where to invest my RRSP?

Where to invest my RRSP?

Need more help?

Need more help?

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