Take advantage of tax benefits and employer contributions to save for your future.
An RPP is a plan your employer or plan sponsor sets up to provide you with retirement income. They’re required to contribute to it, and depending on your plan, you may be able to as well.
There are 2 different types of RPPs in Canada: defined contribution and defined benefit. Both types are registered with the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) to provide you with tax advantages on both the money you contribute and the money your investments earn.
Your employer:
- Sets up an RPP and chooses which type of plan to offer
- Chooses how much they’ll contribute
- Decides whether you’re required to contribute and whether they’ll match your contributions, and facilitates payroll deductions
You:
- Can usually choose to contribute more, up to a limit
- Depending on your plan, you may have input on how your money is invested
Use your online account to check your balance, make additional contributions, manage your personal information and more.
There are 2 types of plans that you may have: defined contribution plans, and defined benefit plans. Canada Life offers only defined contribution plans.
- Your retirement income will depend on how much you and your employer contribute and how well it performs in the market
- Usually a percentage of your current income
- You and your employer or sponsor may both contribute
- Guarantees you a specific income at retirement
- Your retirement income is determined by a formula
- You and your employer or sponsor may both contribute
How is an RPP different from other group retirement savings plans?
How is an RPP different from other group retirement savings plans?
Compare plans
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Registered pension plan (RPP)
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Registered retirement savings plan (RRSP)
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Tax-free savings account (TFSA)
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What is it for?
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Retirement savings
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Retirement savings or other long-term expenses
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Anything
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Who contributes?
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Employer is required to contribute
Employee can choose to contribute
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Employer can choose to contribute
Employee contributions can be voluntary or required
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Only the employee can choose to contribute
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How do taxes work?
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Contributions are tax-deductible
Employer contributions are exempt from payroll taxes
Money is sheltered from taxes until payout
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Employer contributions are treated as taxable income
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Money isn’t subject to taxes going in or coming out
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What if you leave the company?
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You keep all contributions, depending on your province's legislation
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You keep all contributions
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You keep all your contributions, and employer contributions aren't usually a factor
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When can you withdraw your money?
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Depending on your plan, you might be able to withdraw from the amount you’ve voluntarily contributed, but not from your required contributions
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Employer might have restrictions in place
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Anytime
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Ready to learn more?
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Learn more about RPPs
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Learn more about RRSPs
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Learn more about TFSAs
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More on retirement and savings
Converting an RRSP into a RRIF
How to transition to retirement
Related to retirement and savings
Registered retirement savings plan (RRSP)
Tax-free savings account (TFSA)
Registered education savings plan (RESP)
Non-Registered Savings Plan (NRSP)