Comparing TFSAs, RRSPs, and FHSAs
Which registered investment is best for you, and when?
One of the best ways to determine which registered products to invest in is the ability to compare each investment option based on your financial priorities, lifestage, and needs. If your goals include saving for a rainy day, your retirement, or saving for your first home, here's an overview of three reqistered savings products that will help you achieve your goal.Viewing this in mobile? Download a PDF
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PRODUCT |
TFSA |
RRSP |
FHSA |
|---|---|---|---|
| FEATURES | |||
| What is it? |
A registered plan where your investment earnings and withdrawals are tax-free Explore TFSAs |
A registered plan where your contributions are tax-deductible (up to your personal deduction limit) and investment earnings are tax-deferred. (Taxes are withheld when you withdraw funds, usually when you are retired and in a lower tax bracket.). Explore RRSPs |
A new registered plan designed to help first time homebuyers. Your contributions are tax-deductible and investment earnings and withdrawals are tax-free if used to purchase your first home. Explore FHSAs |
| What is it typically used to save for? |
Shorter term goals (new bike, vacation, home reno, etc.) or longer term (retirement or home ownership) |
Retirement |
Your first home |
| Who can open one? |
Canadian residents with a Social Insurance Number (SIN) who are at least 18 (age of majority |
Canadian residents with a Social Insurance Number (SIN) who are under age 71, have earned income and file a tax return in Canada |
Canadian residents with a Social Insurance Number (SIN) who are at least age 18 (and no less than the age of majority in your province) and under age 71, and you and/or your spouse or common-law partner have not owned a home where you lived in the current calendar year or at any time in the preceding four calendar years |
| What types of investments can I hold in it? |
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| Can the plan be opened jointly? |
No, a TFSA is an individual plan |
No, an RRSP is an individual plan, but you can contribute to a spousal RRSP |
No—an FHSA is an individual plan |
| TAX TREATMENT | |||
| Are contributions tax-deductible? | No |
Yes, up to your personal limit |
Yes (up to the annual and lifetime limits) |
| Do my savings grow tax-free or tax-deferred? |
Tax-free |
Tax-deferred (added to taxable income the year you take the money out; a withholding tax will also apply to early withdrawals) |
Tax-free as long as you use funds for a qualifying first home |
| CONTRIBUTING FUNDS | |||
| How much can I contribute each year? |
$6,500 for 2023, ($7,000 for 2024) plus your unused contribution room and any amounts you’ve withdrawn from previous years |
18% of previous year’s earned income, less any pension adjustment, up to maximum annual limit ($30,780 for 2023) ($31,560 for 2024) |
$8,000 annually, plus up to $8,000 of your unused contribution room, up to a maximum lifetime limit of $40,000 |
| Is there an over-contribution penalty tax? | Yes, 1% per month on excess contributions |
Yes, 1% per month on excess contributions (if you exceed your deduction limit by $2,000) |
Yes, 1% per month on excess contributions |
| Can I carry forward unused contribution room? | Yes, indefinitely |
Yes, until December 31, the year you turn 71 |
Yes, unused contribution room can be carried over to the next year, up to a maximum of $8,000 |
| Do I have to earn income to get contribution room? | No | Yes | No |
| Can I contribute after age 71? |
Yes
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No, you must convert to a RRIF or purchase an annuity, or close the plan by December 31 of the year you turn 71. You can convert your plan to a RRIF or annuity to receive a steady stream of income, or make a taxable withdrawal for the full balance of your plan. |
No, the funds in your FHSA must be used by the 15th anniversary of opening the FHSA or December 31 of the year you turn 71, whichever comes earlier. |
| WITHDRAWING FUNDS | |||
| Can I take my money out for any reason? |
Yes. Timing will depend on what investment product you hold in your GIC. |
Yes, but taxes are withheld at the time of withdrawal (unless participating in the Home Buyers’ Plan or Lifelong Learning Plan) |
Yes, although timing depends on what investments you hold in your FHSA. If you use the funds for anything other than a qualifying first home, your withdrawal will be taxable. |
| If I withdraw money, do I get my contribution room back? |
Yes, withdrawal amounts are added to contribution room the following year |
No. If you do a withdrawal from an RRSP, you lose the contribution room, meaning you can't recontribute the funds in future years. Home Buyer Plan withdrawals need to be contributed back over a 15 year period. |
No
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| Do withdrawals affect government benefits? |
No
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Possibly, yes—withdrawals increase your income, which could impact government benefits like Old Age Security (OAS) payment |
It depends on the type of withdrawal:
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