Someday, you may want to start investing and make passive income for future use. Then again, if you’re not an experienced investor, the concept of committing your time and savings to something that might not have a great pay off can be nerve-racking.
Luckily, there are some less risky investment accounts available for beginners in Canada. Two of the most common are the TFSA and the RRSP. Keep reading to learn the differences between these accounts and which you should invest your money in.
Short for Tax-Free Savings Account, a TFSA is a standard financial account that your bank or credit union will offer you after you’ve turned 18. As its title suggests, the main benefit here is that you won’t have to pay tax on the interest the account accumulates over time and any money you withdraw from the account is tax-free.
Despite its name, the TFSA should be handled more like an investment nest egg, rather than a traditional savings account. While you can dip into it whenever you want, the most ideal results occur when you leave your money in the account for a long time, so it can generate interest and be put to use later in life.
Although income is what most consumers contribute to their account, you can also put other kinds of financial assets into your TFSA, such as:
The federal government has imposed limits for how much you’re allowed to deposit into your TFSA annually. The maximum contribution amount can be different every year. Check with the CRA to verify your yearly contribution room and also your total available contribution room. Overcontributions are penalized.
A Registered Retirement Savings Plan is another type of government-sponsored investment account that you can activate through your financial institution, which also has a specific annual contribution limit. Essentially, RRSPs were created as a way to prompt Canadians into investing toward their eventual retirements and provide them with various tax advantages along the way, such as smaller yearly income tax bills.
However, unlike a TFSA, an RRSP account is not tax-free but rather “tax-deferred”, meaning you don’t have to pay income taxes on your contributions during the year you deposited them. Instead, they’ll be taxed later on when you make a withdrawal. The goal is to refrain from doing that until you’re purchasing a home, financing your education or you’re past age 71.
The annual RRSP contribution limit that you have to follow is set by the Canada Revenue Agency and is based on your particular income. The limit you’re allowed to deduct on your income taxes is normally around 18% of your yearly income.
It’s true that both TFSAs and RRSPs are sanctioned by the federal government and have specific contribution limits that you must follow to avoid any penalties. However, there are a few key differences that you should know about, including but not limited to:
Both TFSA and RRSP accounts have different tax benefits:
As of 2023, here are the annual TFSA and RRSP contribution limits in Canada:
Currently, there is no lifetime maximum contribution limit for RRSP accounts.
Here are the withdrawal rules imposed by the federal government and the CRA:
TFSAs and RRSPs also have different account expiration conditions:
There are plenty of reasons why you should contribute to a Tax-Free Savings Account or a Registered Retirement Savings Plan. If you have the financial power, it can even be a great idea to regularly contribute to both types of accounts annually.
All that said, you may only have room in your life for one investment account. In that case, the one you choose should depend on factors such as your:
According to financial experts, Canadians earning moderate incomes and retirement savings or pensions are better off investing in an RRSP. The same goes for anyone making a high income. The more money you contribute over the years, the easier it will eventually be to finance your future goals.
If your income surpasses your RRSP’s yearly contribution limit by a large amount, it can’t hurt to consistently deposit a portion of it into a TFSA for safekeeping.
Since penalties can apply for withdrawing and there’s a lot of extra paperwork involved, an RRSP can be a safer choice when you’re trying to save up for more important long-term goals, such as financing a house, your education or your retirement.
Then again, a TFSA may be more convenient because you can withdraw whenever you want, in whatever amounts, without penalty. This can make your TFSA a better choice when you’re making a down payment on a house or vehicle, building an emergency fund or covering short-term expenses (groceries, new appliances, etc.).
If you’re relatively young and expect to move to a higher tax bracket when you make a better income, it can be a good idea to store your savings in a TFSA. That way, you can transfer them into an RRSP later in life and receive better tax benefits someday.
As a senior, investing in a TFSA can also be great because it has no age limit or expiry date, unlike an RRSP, where you must start withdrawing after you turn 71. Plus, your Guaranteed Income Supplement (GIC), Old Age Security (OAS) or other retirement benefits may be withheld if you contribute to or withdraw from your RRSP or RRIF.
In Canada, there are a number of financial institutions and platforms that can help you open and invest in a TFSA or an RRSP, such as:
One of the easiest forms of investing, robo-advisors allow you to contribute to various accounts and portfolios using any computer or mobile device. All you have to do is answer several financial questions and the robo-advisor will generate suggestions. You can then choose a TFSA or RRSP and pre-authorized contribution amount.
After your account is established, the robo-advisor should manage everything for you, including any deposits and rebalancing. Perfect for beginner investors, you can save up and earn passive income from the comfort of home, sometimes at a better price than a professional advisor. Be careful, as all robo-advisors have different rates and conditions.
There are also many online investment platforms in Canada. Unlike robo-advisors, which offer pre-arranged options, you can use this type of brokerage to create, modify and monitor your own TFSA or RRSP account. More experienced investors use these platforms because they have fewer limitations than other alternatives.
While you may have to pay service fees and other costs following certain transactions, some online brokers are cheaper than robo-advisors in the long-term. Depending on which platform you choose, you may even find accounts and investment options that aren’t offered by any robo-advisor or financial institution.
If you’re not sure whether a robo-advisor or online brokerage is your best option, most banks and credit unions offer their own TFSA or RRSP programs. Here, you’ll receive all the security of a top tier financial institution and have the opportunity to speak face-to-face with a professional advisor to determine which account is the better choice.
Although you may encounter fees along the way, at least you’ll know who is handling your money and where it’s going. If you prefer, your advisor can direct you to the investment accounts with the least risk involved. Plus, as a qualified member, you may be eligible for benefits that aren’t available with robo-advisors or online brokerages.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can an RRSP only be used for retirement?
The Canadian Government originally created the RRSP to get residents to save for retirement. That said, there are two other ways you can use the money in your RRSP:If I have a low income, should I invest in a TFSA or an RRSP?
Your tax bracket may be one of the more significant factors when choosing between a TFSA and an RRSP:Is an RRSP tax-free?
No, as mentioned earlier, the money you contribute to an RRSP is “tax-deferred”. So, while your savings may be taxed someday, that will only happen when you withdraw. Until then, you’re exempt from paying income tax during the year a deposit is made.How to withdraw from a TFSA?
You can generally withdraw from your TFSA anytime you want and for any amount you want. For example, if you have a Wealthsimple account, you simply need to go to your account, go to “Move Funds” choose “Withdraw Funds” and then enter how much you want to withdraw and which account to send the money to. Depending on the type of investment held and the platform you’re using, withdrawing your TFSA may slightly vary.
A yearly report provided by a company to its shareholders that discusses the business activities and finances from the past year. An annuity is a financial product that pays out a guaranteed income. It is used mainly by those who are putting a retirement plan together. When an investment is made in an annuity, it then makes regular payments at a date or dates in the future to create an income stream for retirement. A type of investment strategy that aims to balance risk and rewards by adjusting the portion of money invested in different types of assets in an investment portfolio. The specific investment strategy depends on the risk tolerance, time frame and goals of the investor. A mutual fund that invests in bonds or similar debt securities, also known as a debt fund. The term to describe time passing throughout a bond’s term. At the bond’s maturity date, the end of a bond’s term, the principal and interest will become due to the investor. A type of debt security or financial instrument that represents a loan made between an investor and a borrower. The borrower is often a corporate or government body. Bonds are lower risk and yield less return than other types of investments. A type of equity ownership in a corporation. Holders of common stock vote on corporate policies and elect the board of directors. Investors are typically encouraged to diversify their loan portfolios in order to hedge against risk and garner the highest returns since different assets react differently to the same economic events. Diversification refers to a portfolio that consists of various assets that are not correlated with one another. An amount of money that is paid on a regular basis by a company to their shareholders. The amount paid comes out of the company’s profits. The ratio of a company’s dividend per share to the price per share. The dividend yield communicates how much dividend income you received in relation to the price of the stock. The ratio is most commonly expressed as a percentage. A measure of a company’s total value typically used as an alternative to equity market capitalization. The calculation considers market capitalization, short term debt, long term debt, and cash on hand. A mutual fund that invests primarily in stocks, also known as a stock fund. ETF stands for exchange-traded funds. To put it simply, an ETF is like a mutual fund where it is comprised of securities like stocks and bonds and, like stocks, can be traded on the stock exchange. You are able to buy and sell shares of the ETF, like a stock, without having to buy each bond, stock and other securities separately. You own a part by buying the ETF which is comprised of these securities. A GIC is considered a low-risk investment vehicle because it is guaranteed. It works similar to a savings account because the money deposited in it earns interest. A type of mutual fund that is built to match or track a financial market index, such as S&P 500. Index funds are low risk which makes them safe investments, but there is little opportunity for big earnings. When an individual or entity contributes money towards something with the intention of turning a profit or gaining a material outcome, it is considered an investment. All of the money invested would be considered an individual or entity’s investments. An individual or group that manages money or makes financial suggestions on behalf of another individual or group in exchange for a fee. The market value of a public company’s outstanding shares. The market cap is calculated by multiplying the share price by the outstanding number of shares. MER stands for the management expense ratio. The management expense ratio includes management fees, operating expenses, and taxes associated with a fund. A mutual fund is a portfolio of different securities (stocks, bonds, short-term debts) that many people can invest in. Rather than diversifying your investments by buying different securities yourself, you can invest in a mutual fund. Depending on how much you invest, you will own a share of the mutual fund. This allows investors to have their hands in different stocks with one transaction. The sum of all holdings types in a fund, investment or portfolio. For example, if you have a portfolio with common stock, bonds and preferred shares, the number of holdings would be three. Par Value – Par value refers to the value of a stock as stated on the stock certificate or the corporation’s articles of incorporation. The par value per share is typically of very little or no value. The professional science and art of executing investment decisions and performing investment activities on behalf of an individual or institution. Portfolio rebalancing is the act of consistently balancing your investments according to your needs by buying and selling assets. A type of equity ownership in a corporation. Holders of preferred stock have a higher priority when it comes to dividends or asset distribution when compared to common stockholders. A premium bond is one that costs more than its face value. Bonds may trade at higher values as a result of a higher interest rate compared to current market rates. The ratio of a company’s share price to earnings per share. This ratio is used to determine if a business is overvalued or undervalued. The P/B ratio refers to a company’s stock price divided by its book value per share (total assets less liabilities). Low P/B ratios may be a sign of an undervalued stock. The process of investing dividend cash payments into the company or fund that provided that dividend. Risk levels vary with different investments. While some investments come with low risks, others are riskier in nature. Risk tolerance refers to the amount of risk that an investor is willing or able to undergo when investing in a particular investment vehicle. The price of a sole share in a company. A share price is not fixed and fluctuates depending on market conditions. The value brought to equity owners of a corporation as a result of management’s actions to increase sales, free up cash flow, boost earnings, pay out dividends, and earn capital gains for shareholders. A professional who purchases and sells securities on a stock exchange for their clients. A type of debt security or financial instrument that represents ownership share in a company. Issuing stock is a way for companies to raise money and investors to turn a profit. Stocks carry more risk, but have the possibility for greater returns. Once you own a share of the company you can gain money through dividends paid out by the company or by selling the stock for a higher price than when purchased. The practice of selling an asset or security that has incurred a loss with the intention of offsetting taxes on capital gains and income. Using the proceeds of the asset or security sale, a similar asset or security is purchased to maintain optimal returns and investments. The statistical level of variation of a trading price over time. Often, volatility is measured using the standard deviation of logarithmic returns. When volatility is high, the risk of investment is also high. Yield to maturity refers to the total anticipated return on a bond if it is retained until maturity. If an investor holds onto a bond until it matures, the YTM is the rate of return of an investment if all scheduled payments are made and reinvested at the same rate. Investing Glossary
Terms
Annual Report Annuity Asset Allocation Bond Fund Bond Maturity Bonds Common Stock Diversification Dividend Dividend Yield Enterprise Value Equity Fund ETF Guaranteed Investment Certificate (GIC) Index Funds Investment Investment Advisor Market Cap MER Mutual Funds Number of Holdings Par Value Portfolio Management Portfolio Rebalancing Preferred Stock Premium Bond Price to Earnings Ratio Price-to-Book (P/B) Ratio Reinvest Dividends Risk Tolerance Share Price Shareholder Value Stockbroker Stocks Tax-loss Harvesting Volatility Yield to Maturity (YTM)
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Bryan is a graduate of Dawson College and Concordia University. He has been writing for Loans Canada for five years, covering all things related to personal finance, and aims to pursue the craft of professional writing for many years to come. In his spare time, he maintains a passion for editing, writing screenplays, staying fit, and travelling the world in search of the coolest sights our planet has to offer.
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