“Tax deferred” refers to investment earnings such as interest, dividends, or capital gains that accumulate tax-free until the investor withdraws and takes possession of them. In Canada, tax-deferred investments are a cornerstone of retirement and savings strategies, allowing individuals to grow their investments more efficiently over time by postponing the tax payment until a later date, typically during retirement when their income and possibly their tax bracket may be lower.
Key aspects of tax-deferred investments in Canada include:
Registered retirement savings plan (RRSP)
One of the most common tax-deferred investment vehicles, where contributions are tax-deductible, and the growth of investments within the RRSP is not taxed until funds are withdrawn, usually at retirement.
Tax-free savings account (TFSA)
While not tax-deferred in the traditional sense, since contributions are made with after-tax dollars, the investment growth within a TFSA is tax-free, and withdrawals can be made at any time without tax implications. The TFSA complements tax-deferred savings by offering a flexible, tax-advantaged savings option.
Registered education savings plan (RESP)
A tax-deferred savings plan designed to help save for a child’s post-secondary education. Contributions are not tax-deductible, but the investment growth within the RESP accumulates tax-free until withdrawn to pay for education expenses, at which point it is taxed in the hands of the student, who typically has a lower income.
Deferred annuities
A type of insurance product that allows for tax-deferred growth of investments when held in a registered plan such as an RRSP: taxes on the investment gains are deferred until the annuity is withdrawn or annuitized, providing a stream of income. Held outside a registered plan, a deferred annuity’s growth is generally taxed each year as it accrues, even if nothing is withdrawn.
Non-registered savings plans
Investments in non-registered accounts do not offer the same upfront tax benefits as RRSPs or RESPs, but certain types of investment income, such as capital gains, are taxed more favourably and only when the investment is sold, allowing for a form of tax-deferred growth.
Tax-deferred growth within life insurance policies is another significant aspect of financial planning in Canada. This feature allows the cash value component of certain types of life insurance policies, such as whole life and universal life insurance, to grow on a tax-deferred basis. The policyholder does not pay taxes on the investment gains within the policy as long as the funds remain invested within the policy and the policy remains an exempt policy under the Income Tax Act.
Key points about tax-deferred growth in life insurance policies include:
Cash value accumulation
Permanent life insurance policies like whole life and universal life include a savings component known as the cash value. Premiums paid into these policies cover the cost of insurance and contribute to the cash value, which can be invested according to the policyholder’s preferences, depending on the policy’s options.
Tax-deferred growth
In an exempt policy, the investment gains on the cash value of a life insurance policy are not subject to annual taxation. This allows the cash value to grow more rapidly over time, as the money that would otherwise be paid in taxes continues to earn interest or investment returns.
Accessing cash value
Policyholders can access the cash value through withdrawals or policy loans. Both count as dispositions for tax purposes. A withdrawal may be taxable in part: a share of the policy’s adjusted cost basis (ACB) is set against it, and the rest is taxable as a policy gain. A policy loan is taxable only to the extent it exceeds the ACB, and repaying the loan adds back to the ACB.
Death benefit
The death benefit paid out to beneficiaries upon the death of the insured is generally received tax-free. This includes the insurance coverage amount and, depending on the policy, any cash value paid with it.
Estate planning and wealth transfer
The tax advantages of life insurance, including tax-deferred growth and tax-free death benefits, can help with estate planning and transferring wealth to the next generation or designated beneficiaries. Life insurance paid to a named beneficiary passes outside the estate and probate (Civil Code art. 2455 in Quebec; the provincial insurance acts elsewhere); proceeds payable to the estate, or with no living beneficiary, go through the estate.