Four Tax-Saving Ideas for Retirees
Retirement Savings Plans (RSPs) can be a powerful tool to defer taxes until into retirement. We often see many investors delay drawing from their RSPs until as late as possible because they either do not need the income or do not want to pay any additional taxes related to the withdrawals. As a quick recap, you must convert your RSP to a retirement income account, including a Retirement Income Fund (RIF), by the end of the year you turn 71. Let's say that is going to happen this year, in 2025. You then will be required to take your first payment from your RIF account by the following year which, in this case, will be 2026.
At a glance, deferring taxes seems ideal; however there may be some situations where it makes sense to draw upon these funds sooner:
1. No Other Pension Income: At age 65, a $2,000 pension credit becomes available which means the first $2,000 of RIF income may be withdrawn tax-free. For those who do not have a workplace pension, it can make sense to draw at least $2,000 a year from your RIF to maximize this credit beginning in the year you turn 65.
Beware that drawing from RSPs is not considered eligible pension income under the Income Tax Act. The withdrawal must happen from a RIF account. Canada Pension Plan (CPP) and Old Age Security (OAS) incomes are not eligible for this pension credit either.
2. OAS Clawback Avoidance: Some investors have done a great job amassing a large RSP and, should they continue to leave these balances to grow on a tax-deferred basis, they could be faced with a substantial increase in taxable income upon converting to a RIF. This could result in having some or all of their OAS being clawed back.
OAS Clawback in 2025 applies if your 2024 Net Income (line 23600 on your tax return) exceeds $90,997 and this amount is adjusted each year for inflation. The repayment is 15% of excess income and fully eliminated once an individual's net income reaches $148,605.
For example: Jane is 60, has been very diligent in her retirement savings and has amassed $500,000 in her RSP. If she waits until age 71 and assuming a 5% rate of return, her RSP will grow to $670,038 without making any further contributions. Upon converting to RIF at 71, Jane is required to take a minimum payment of 5.28% the following year, spiking her income by an additional $35,378.
3. Income Splitting: Retired couples 65 and older can benefit from pension splitting which is arguably one of the best tax-saving strategies available for retirees. This also presents an opportunity to draw from your RIFs early while maximizing income splitting with your spouse to remain in a lower tax bracket.
Planning point: Under age 65, company pensions are eligible for pension split, whereas at ages 65 and over, RIF and Life Income Fund (LIF) income is eligible for pension split.
While we hope for a long and healthy retirement, sometimes life takes an unexpected turn for the worse. Should you or your spouse pass away prematurely, you lose the ability to income split and the surviving spouse is often left in a higher tax bracket with fewer tax savings options.
Sample Strategy: Bob and Cathy each make $30,000 in retirement income after pension splitting. In BC, currently taxable income between $14,538 and $49,279 is taxed at a marginal tax rate of 20.06%. This means that they can each draw out an additional $19,279 of RIF income and remain in the same low tax bracket.
4. Estate Planning: As they slowly drawn down their RIFs, Bob and Cathy can place funds in Tax-Free Savings Accounts (TFSAs) to grow tax free. They can also elect beneficiaries on their TFSAs to avoid probate and help create simplicity in their estate planning.
Remember Jane in the example above who was drawing the RIF minimum starting at 71? At age 90 she will still have over $370,000 in her RIF account which could present a massive tax bill for her estate… upwards of 53.5% in BC. Jane's plan could lead to a substantially larger tax bill for her estate when compared to Bob and Cathy who are focused on drawing their funds out at the 20% tax bracket.
Prior to considering any of these strategies, we recommend talking with a wealth advisor or tax specialist to ensure they fit for your personal circumstance.
At a glance, deferring taxes seems ideal; however there may be some situations where it makes sense to draw upon these funds sooner:
1. No Other Pension Income: At age 65, a $2,000 pension credit becomes available which means the first $2,000 of RIF income may be withdrawn tax-free. For those who do not have a workplace pension, it can make sense to draw at least $2,000 a year from your RIF to maximize this credit beginning in the year you turn 65.
Beware that drawing from RSPs is not considered eligible pension income under the Income Tax Act. The withdrawal must happen from a RIF account. Canada Pension Plan (CPP) and Old Age Security (OAS) incomes are not eligible for this pension credit either.
2. OAS Clawback Avoidance: Some investors have done a great job amassing a large RSP and, should they continue to leave these balances to grow on a tax-deferred basis, they could be faced with a substantial increase in taxable income upon converting to a RIF. This could result in having some or all of their OAS being clawed back.
OAS Clawback in 2025 applies if your 2024 Net Income (line 23600 on your tax return) exceeds $90,997 and this amount is adjusted each year for inflation. The repayment is 15% of excess income and fully eliminated once an individual's net income reaches $148,605.
For example: Jane is 60, has been very diligent in her retirement savings and has amassed $500,000 in her RSP. If she waits until age 71 and assuming a 5% rate of return, her RSP will grow to $670,038 without making any further contributions. Upon converting to RIF at 71, Jane is required to take a minimum payment of 5.28% the following year, spiking her income by an additional $35,378.
3. Income Splitting: Retired couples 65 and older can benefit from pension splitting which is arguably one of the best tax-saving strategies available for retirees. This also presents an opportunity to draw from your RIFs early while maximizing income splitting with your spouse to remain in a lower tax bracket.
Planning point: Under age 65, company pensions are eligible for pension split, whereas at ages 65 and over, RIF and Life Income Fund (LIF) income is eligible for pension split.
While we hope for a long and healthy retirement, sometimes life takes an unexpected turn for the worse. Should you or your spouse pass away prematurely, you lose the ability to income split and the surviving spouse is often left in a higher tax bracket with fewer tax savings options.
Sample Strategy: Bob and Cathy each make $30,000 in retirement income after pension splitting. In BC, currently taxable income between $14,538 and $49,279 is taxed at a marginal tax rate of 20.06%. This means that they can each draw out an additional $19,279 of RIF income and remain in the same low tax bracket.
4. Estate Planning: As they slowly drawn down their RIFs, Bob and Cathy can place funds in Tax-Free Savings Accounts (TFSAs) to grow tax free. They can also elect beneficiaries on their TFSAs to avoid probate and help create simplicity in their estate planning.
Remember Jane in the example above who was drawing the RIF minimum starting at 71? At age 90 she will still have over $370,000 in her RIF account which could present a massive tax bill for her estate… upwards of 53.5% in BC. Jane's plan could lead to a substantially larger tax bill for her estate when compared to Bob and Cathy who are focused on drawing their funds out at the 20% tax bracket.
Prior to considering any of these strategies, we recommend talking with a wealth advisor or tax specialist to ensure they fit for your personal circumstance.
Until Next Time… Invest Well. Live Well.
**The views expressed are those of Eric Davis, Senior Portfolio Manager and Senior Investment Advisor, Keith Davis, Associate Investment Advisor, and Heidi Bradley, Associate Investment Advisor, TD Wealth Private Investment Advice, as of February 15, 2025 and are subject to change based on market and other conditions. Davis Wealth Management Team is part of TD Wealth Private Investment Advice, a division of TD Waterhouse Canada Inc. which is a subsidiary of The Toronto-Dominion Bank. For more information: 250-314-5124 or keith.davis@td.com.
