Registered Retirement Income Funds (RRIF) FAQs

Do you have questions about registered retirement income funds (RRIFs)? You’ve come to the right place.

General

What is a registered retirement income fund (RRIF)?

A RRIF is one of the options you have when you convert your registered retirement savings plan (RRSP) or your employer’s registered pension plan (RPP) to an income plan in your retirement years. Within a RRIF, your investments can continue to grow on a tax-deferred basis, while you receive a regular stream of income through the withdrawals you are required to make annually from the plan.

Can I transfer money from a regular savings account into my RRIF?

No, you cannot transfer money from a regular (non-registered) account into your RRIF.

What happens to my RRIF when I die?

The funds in your RRIF become part of your taxable income on the date of your death and are included in your final tax return. There are several potential tax-deferral strategies that can reduce your taxes at death; for example, if the beneficiary of your RRIF is a spouse or child/grandchild under 18 who was financially dependent on you at the time of your death. In those cases, the funds in your RRIF may be transferred to their RRSP or RRIF, or used to purchase an annuity. Different rules apply for different beneficiaries, so you should speak to a tax advisor for guidance on setting up a beneficiary.

Opening an Account

Do I have to convert my RRSP to a RRIF at age 71?

In the year you turn 71, you must convert your RRSP to an income option such as a RRIF or an annuity (not offered at RBC Direct Investing). You can also cash out your RRSP, however the entire amount is considered taxable income in the year you withdraw it, and the funds no longer benefit from tax-sheltered investment growth.

Can I convert my RRSP to a RRIF before I turn 71?

Yes, you can convert your RRSP to a RRIF before age 71 if you need to draw income from it. If you withdraw funds from your RRIF that exceed the minimum annual payment there will be withholding tax on the excess amount.

Is there a minimum amount needed to set up a RRIF?

There is no minimum amount to open a RRIF with RBC Direct Investing.

Can I have a RRIF and an RRSP?

Yes. Until the end of the year you turn 71, you can choose to have both an RRSP and a RRIF. Once you turn 71, however, you must convert your RRSP to a RRIF or other retirement income option.

Can I have more than one RRIF?

Yes. Just as you can have more than one RRSP account, you can have multiple RRIFs. However, it may be more convenient to have one as it makes it easier to manage and keep track of your minimum annual withdrawals.

I have a few RRSPs; should I convert each one to a RRIF?

While it’s mandatory to convert from an RRSP to an income option by the end of the year you turn 71, not all of your RRSPs need to convert to a RRIF. You may also choose to direct funds to an annuity (not offered at RBC Direct Investing).

I have a Locked-In Retirement Account (LIRA) with money transferred from a pension plan of a former employer. Can I convert this to a RRIF?

There are special options available for converting pension funds from a LIRA or locked-in RRSP, which may include transferring funds to a Life Income Fund (LIF) or Prescribed Retirement Income Fund (PRIF).

Are there any maintenance fees for RRIFs?  

At RBC Direct Investing there is no maintenance fee if your combined assets are $15,000 or more across all of your RBC Direct Investing accounts¹. If your combined assets are less than $15,000 across all of your RBC Direct Investing accounts, you will be charged one maintenance fee of $25 per quarter (split across all of your accounts⁺). However, there are a number of additional ways to have this fee waived. For full details please refer to the complete Commissions & Fees Schedule.

⁺ Clients can open a maximum of 10 accounts for a combined maintenance fee of $25/quarter. Additional maintenance fees will apply if a client opens more than 10 accounts.

Investment Options

What happens to my investments in my RRSP when I convert to a RRIF?

Your investments can be transferred from your RRSP “as is” directly to your RRIF without having to liquidate them. There are no tax implications as long as your transfer is direct and your assets remain in the RRIF.

What if I am still earning money when I open a RRIF?

Your earnings have no impact on your RRIF. You cannot make contributions to a RRIF, but you may be able to reduce your taxes by making contributions to an RRSP as long as you are under age 71 and have unused RRSP contribution room available.

What investments can I hold in my RRIF?

RRIFs are similar to RRSPs and other registered plans in that they offer multiple investment options (such as stocks, bonds, GICs, mutual funds and ETFs) and allow for tax-deferred growth of qualified investments.

Are there any foreign content restrictions?

No, you may hold any amount of qualified foreign investments in your RRIF.

Will the types of investments I hold impact the timing of my RRIF withdrawals?

They can, yes. It’s a good practice to ensure the funds are available in your account at the time the withdrawal payment goes through. Holding a variety of investments in your RRIF, where you can choose the investments you’ll want to have your income payments taken from, may allow you to meet your shorter-term income needs while leaving the balance of your investments to grow in your RRIF on a tax-deferred basis.

Withdrawals

How do withdrawals from RRIFs work?

Starting in the year after you open your RRIF, you must withdraw a minimum annual amount from your RRIF, which is taxable as income. This amount is determined by the federal government using a calculation based on your age and the dollar value of your RRIF on December 31st. Please visit the Government of Canada website for more information on RRIF withdrawals.

Do I have to withdraw money from my RRIF right away?

In the first year that your RRIF is opened, you are not required to make a withdrawal. However, you must make your minimum withdrawal in the following year.

How do I know what my minimum withdrawal is?

The federal government sets the minimum amount that must be withdrawn every year and it’s based on your age and the dollar value of your RRIF at the start of the year.

If you have a RRIF account at RBC Direct Investing, it’s easy to find this information. At the top of your Holdings page, a RRIF Details link takes you where you need to go to view your minimum withdrawal requirements and payment details.

For more information on RRIF withdrawals, visit www.canada.ca.

Can I choose the frequency of my RRIF withdrawals?

Withdrawals may be made monthly, quarterly, semi-annually or annually. You can choose the frequency when you complete your application to open your RRIF.

Can I withdraw more than the annual minimum amount?

Yes. You may elect to receive more than the minimum amount. However, any amount above the minimum is subject to withholding taxes. Withholding taxes differ depending on your province of residence, so speak to a tax advisor who is familiar with the tax rules for your province.

Can I base my RRIF withdrawals on my younger spouse’s age?

Yes, you can use your spouse’s age to calculate your minimum withdrawal amount, thereby lowering your minimum amount and tax bill. You don’t have to have a Spousal RRIF in place but you must call 1-800-769-2560 to have this set up before your first payment as this option cannot be changed later. This is a strategy if you have other sources of retirement income and want to keep your investments growing within your RRIF for as long as possible. 

Do I have to make RRIF withdrawals if I don’t need the money?

You are required to withdraw a minimum annual amount from your RRIF, whether or not you need that income, and it is fully taxable.

If there is an unused portion of the funds you withdrew from your RRIF, you may choose to contribute the money to a TFSA (if you have the contribution room) to continue the tax-free growth of your investments (as you cannot redeposit them to your RRIF). You cannot move your RRIF payments directly into a TFSA.

In addition to cash, withdrawals can also be made in “in kind” – meaning securities can be withdrawn at their fair market value from a RRIF. You'll have to include the value of the withdrawal as income at tax time (and if the value of the securities exceeds the minimum annual amount, withholding taxes will apply).

Do I have to pay withholding tax on my withdrawals?

You’ll have to pay withholding tax only if you take out more money from your RRIF than the government-prescribed annual minimum amount. This also applies if you withdraw securities in-kind and the value of these investments exceeds the minimum annual amount. Withholding tax rates differ depending on the province.

The annual minimum amount is still taxable, and you will be required to include the amount in your income at tax time.

For more on RRIFs, please read Understanding RRIFs.

The information provided in this article is for general purposes only and does not constitute personal financial advice. Please consult with your own professional advisor to discuss your specific financial and tax needs.