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The Great-West Life Assurance Company, London Life Insurance Company and The Canada Life Assurance Company have become one company – The Canada Life Assurance Company. Discover the new Canada Life

The Great-West Life Assurance Company, London Life Insurance Company and The Canada Life Assurance Company have become one company – The Canada Life Assurance Company. Discover the new Canada Life

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Freedom 55 Financial is a division of The Canada Life Assurance Company and the information you requested can be found here.

How do RESP contributions work?

Key takeaways

RESP contribution limits

Who can contribute to the RESP?

Anyone who’d like to contribute to an RESP, like a grandparent or family member, can do so.

It’s a good idea that anyone wishing to add money contact the subscriber (the person who opened the RESP) before contributing to make sure this money doesn’t exceed lifetime contribution limits or plan requirements.

They’ll also need the beneficiary’s’ social insurance number (SIN) to contribute, and so if you’d like to keep this confidential, you could always suggest that they gift you the money and then contribute on their behalf.

Lifetime contribution limit

The lifetime RESP contribution limit is $50,000 per beneficiary.

Although there is no limit on the number of RESP plans you can have in your name – if the child is a beneficiary of more than one RESP – this $50,000 limit includes contributions made in all RESPs combined.

Annual contribution limit

While there are currently no annual contribution limits, you can receive the Canada Education Savings Grant (CESG) only on the first $2,500 in contributions per year, or up to the first $5,000 in contributions, if sufficient carry forward room exists.

Over-contribution penalties

An over-contribution occurs when the total contributions made to a beneficiary in one 1 or more RESP(s) exceed the lifetime limit of $50,000.

Any contributions over and above these amounts will no longer be eligible for any CESG grant amounts. When an over-contribution occurs, you'll l have to pay tax in the amount of 1 percent %per month on your share of the over-contribution until it is withdrawn.

Generally, there is little benefit to contributing more money than necessary to max out the government grants. Without the advantage of the RESP government grants (CESG), you may be better off contributing any extra funds to a Tax Free Savings Account (TFSA) or Registered Retirement Savings Plan (RRSP) if you have any remaining contribution room.

For more information on over-contributions and tax implications, visit the Canada Revenue Agency websiteOpens a new website in a new window. You may also want to ask your RESP provider to explain any other conditions or penalties that may apply if you over-contribute to the account.

How much money does the government contribute to an RESP?

RESP savings can be supplemented with government education savings initiatives, including the Canada Education Savings Grant (CESG).

CESG eligibility

The government will supplement contributions to your RESP up to the end of the calendar year in which the beneficiary turns 17 years of age.

Certain special eligibility requirements must be met for beneficiaries who are 16 or 17 years old. To be eligible, by December 31 of the year a beneficiary turns 15, contributions to your RESP must either:

  • total at least $2,000 , or 
  • have been at least $100 in any 4 previous years. 

This means that to be eligible for the CESG grant, you’ll need to start making contributions to the RESP before the end of the calendar year in which the beneficiary turns 15 years of age. 

CESG grant amounts

Each year, the government will match your contributions by 20%, up to a maximum of $500. So, you’ll need to contribute $2,500 a year to get the full grant of $500 each year. The lifetime CESG amount that can be received by 1one beneficiary is $7,200.

You can carry forward any unused annual CESG contribution amounts until the beneficiary turns 17. Any remaining amounts for the current year are carried forward for possible use in future years.

Additional (enhanced) CESG amounts

Middle- and low-income families may qualify to receive the additional amount of CESGOpens a new website in a new window. If eligible, that means an extra 10% or 20% is added to the first $500 contributed to an RESP each year.

Other government programs

There are some other programs that may also help supplement your RESP contributions. Eligibility for these programs may depend on your income and on meeting certain other requirements:

Canada Learning Bond (CLB)

The Canada Learning Bond provides an additional incentive of up to $2,000 to help modest-income families start saving early for their child's education. 

Quebec Education Savings Incentive (QESI)

The Quebec Education Savings IncentiveOpens a new website in a new window is a tax incentive that encourages Québec families to start saving early for a child’s post-secondary education. 

British Columbia Training and Education Savings Grant (BCTESG)

To encourage families in British Columbia to start saving early for their children’s post-secondary education, the B.C. Government will contribute $1,200 to eligible children through the BCTESGOpens a new website in a new window.

What's next?

The information provided is based on current laws, regulations and other rules applicable to Canadian residents. It is accurate to the best of our knowledge as of the date of publication. Rules and their interpretation may change, affecting the accuracy of the information. The information provided is general in nature, and should not be relied upon as a substitute for advice in any specific situation. For specific situations, advice should be obtained from the appropriate legal, accounting, tax or other professional advisors.

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