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2022

2022-11-25
The CRA has updated Newsletter no. 09-1, Administrative Relief Procedures for Retroactive Lump-Sum Catch-Up Payments.

2022-11-17
The CRA announces the 2023 TFSA dollar limit.

2022-11-17
The CRA announces the 2023 Advanced life deferred annuity (ALDA) dollar limit.

2022-11-15

The CRA has updated the T4104 Past Service Pension Adjustment Guide. The guide has been updated primarily to provide more current year examples as well as explain the change in legislation related to the PSPA calculation for individual pension plans (IPPs).

2022-11-15
The CRA has updated Information Circular IC99-1R3 - Registered Disability Savings Plan, the Sample pro forma – Declaration of Trust, and RDSP Bulletins 1R1, 3R2, and 4R2. These updates relate to changes made to the RDSP legislation in Federal Budget 2019. An RDSP is no longer required to close if an RDSP beneficiary loses their eligibility for the disability tax credit (DTC).

2022-11-15
The CRA has updated RESP Bulletin No. 1R2 to include the annual educational assistance payment threshold limit for 2023, and add guidelines to help promoters determine the reasonableness of education assistance payments above the annual threshold.

2022-11-10
Education Savings Week is November 13-19, 2022. 

When it comes time for children to head out to college or to university, the financial aspect can be a burden and a source of stress for both students and parents. Alleviating this pressure by helping parents, especially those with modest incomes, plan for their child’s future is a key objective of Education Savings Week (ESW).

ESW raises public awareness through events about the importance of saving for a child’s post-secondary education. It also helps Canadians better understand the financial savings incentives that are available to them.

For more information on RESPs, the Canada education savings grant, the Canada learning bond and provincial grants, visit canada.ca/education-savings.

2022-11-01
The Registered Plans Directorate announces that the 2023 money purchase (MP) limit will be $31,560, the 2023 defined benefit (DB) limit will be $3,506.67, the 2024 registered retirement savings plan (RRSP) limit will be $31,560, the 2023 deferred profit sharing plan (DPSP) limit will be $15,780 and the 2023 year’s maximum pensionable earnings (YMPE) will be $66,600.

2022-08-10
The Registered Plans Directorate has updated the list of Registered Investments available in the Canada Gazette as of December 31, 2021.

2022-03-18
The Registered Plans Directorate has updated the instructions to line 101 of the Form T1200, Actuarial Information Summary.

2021

2021-11-29
The Registered Plans Directorate announces the 2022 Advanced life deferred annuity (ALDA) dollar limit.

2021-11-29
The Registered Plans Directorate announces the 2022 TFSA dollar limit.

2021-11-29
The RPD has updated the RESP Bulletin No.1R1 to include the annual educational assistance payment threshold limit for 2022.

2021-11-17
The Registered Plans Directorate has updated chapter 17.7 of the RPP technical manual.

2021-11-01
The Registered Plans Directorate announces that the 2022 money purchase (MP) limit will be $30,780, the 2022 defined benefit (DB) limit will be $3,420, the 2023 registered retirement savings plan (RRSP) limit will be $30,780 the 2022 deferred profit sharing plan (DPSP) limit will be $15,390 and the 2022 year’s maximum pensionable earnings (YMPE) will be $64,900.

2021-06-25
Due to a legislative change that the Financial Services Regulatory Authority of Ontario (FSRA) enacted in December 2020, individual pension plans and designated plans can file an election to be exempt from the application of Ontario’s Pension Benefits Act. Plans for which this election is approved, would be required to file the Form T244, Annual Information Return 180 days after the plan’s fiscal year end. The Registered Plans Directorate is providing a one-time filing extension, to September 30, 2021, for all plans with a December to March year end that are affected by the FSRA change. This will preserve, or in some cases shorten, the filing deadline that these plans would otherwise have had. In future years, all plans will be required to respect the Canada Revenue Agency deadline. 

More information on filing dates and penalties can be found in Newsletter 16-2, Annual Information Return – reminder of filing obligation and late-filing penalties. Electronic filing options can be found on Filing forms with the Registered Plans Directorate.

2021-06-16
Extension of the temporary Covid-19 relief measures for money purchase and defined benefit pension plans.

The Department of Finance issued a news release on May 20, 2021 announcing a one year extension on certain measures previously announced on July 2, 2020. 

The following extensions to the previously announced COVID-19 relief measures for registered pension plans are:

For further details on the extensions, go to the Department of Finance’s Backgrounder for their May 20, 2021 news release.  Also, see the information the Registered Plans Directorate originally released for these measures below in our What’s New for RPPs on 2020-07-10.

2021-04-27
The Registered Plans Directorate has updated the list of Registered Investments available in the Canada Gazette as of December 31, 2019.

2021-03-30
The Registered disability savings plans webpages have been updated.

2021-03-15
The Registered Plans Directorate has published Newsletter 21-1, Additional Conditions Applicable to Individual Pension Plans and Designated Plans.

2021-02-09
The Registered Plans Directorate has updated Newsletter no. 94-3R1, Using Assumptions to Compute the Present Value of Benefits.

2020

2020-11-25
The RPD has updated the RESP Bulletin No.1R1 to include the annual educational assistance payment threshold limit for 2021.

2020-11-25
The Registered Plans Directorate announces the 2021 TFSA dollar limit

2020-11-04
The Registered Plans Directorate announces that the 2021 money purchase (MP) limit will be $29,210, the 2021 defined benefit (DB) limit will be $3,245.56, the 2022 registered retirement savings plan (RRSP) limit will be $29,210 the 2021 deferred profit sharing plan (DPSP) limit will be $14,605 and the 2021 year’s maximum pensionable earnings (YMPE) will be $61,600.

2020-08-13
The Registered Plans Directorate has published Actuarial Bulletin 3R1

2020-07-10
Temporary Covid-19 relief measure for money purchase and defined benefit pension plans. 

The Income Tax Regulations allows both money purchase and defined benefit plans to “prescribe” compensation for plan members during an eligible period of reduced pay as well as an eligible period of temporary absence, up to specified limits.  The purpose of prescribing compensation is to allow members to earn pension benefits during these periods, and for the benefits to be based on the member’s regular compensation.

An eligible period of reduced pay is defined under subsection 8500(1) of the Regulations, and it is limited to members who have at least 36 months of employment with the employer or a predecessor employer of the employer. 

In light of the Covid-19 pandemic, the Department of Finance is proposing to remove the 36 month employment requirement within this definition.  In addition, wage rollbacks (a reduction in salary without a corresponding reduction in hours worked) will qualify as an eligible period of reduced pay.  

Subject to any plan restrictions, this measure is intended to give a greater number of plan members, including newer employees, the opportunity to participate in their pension plans as if they were earning full salary throughout the pandemic.

It is the longstanding practice of the Canada Revenue Agency to allow taxpayers to act on proposed tax measures on the assumption that the legislation for these measures will be enacted. This measure only applies for 2020.

2020-07-10
Temporary Covid-19 relief measure for money purchase (defined contribution) pension plans. 

The Department of Finance has proposed a legislative amendment that will, for a limited time, give employers and plan members the opportunity to make contributions to their money purchase plans in 2021 and have them apply to 2020. Generally, money purchase contributions are limited to a member’s pension adjustment (PA) limit in the year the contribution is made. 

In light of the Covid-19 pandemic, the Department of Finance has proposed an amendment to the Income Tax Regulations that will allow an employer or a plan member to make additional contributions, from January 1, 2021 to April 30, 2021, and have them apply to the 2020 PA calculation. This measure is intended to address plan contributions that were reduced or suspended in 2020, following the economic crisis that arose from the pandemic.

It is the longstanding practice of the Canada Revenue Agency to allow taxpayers to act on proposed tax measures on the assumption that the legislation for these measures will be enacted. A plan amendment must be submitted to the Registered Plans Directorate in order to take advantage of this measure.

2020-07-10
Temporary Covid-19 relief measure for money purchase and defined benefit registered pension plans. 

Paragraph 8502(i) of the Income Tax Regulations contains certain restrictions in relation to borrowing.  For example, borrowing is limited to a maximum term of 90 days and cannot be part of a series of loans or repayments. As well, plan property cannot be pledged as security for borrowing, and long-term borrowing is restricted to borrowing to acquire income producing real property. 

In light of the Covid-19 pandemic, the Department of Finance has proposed an amendment to the Regulations to temporarily suspend the 90 day limit on borrowing and the prohibition on a borrowing being part of a series of loans or repayments. The amendment would permit a registered pension plan to enter into a loan or series of loans after April 2020 as long as the loan or series is repaid no later than April 30, 2021. All other rules and conditions continue to apply. 

It is the longstanding practice of the Canada Revenue Agency to allow taxpayers to act on proposed tax measures on the assumption that the legislation for these measures will be enacted. This measure only applies until April 30, 2021. 

2020-07-08
The RPD has published Newsletter 20-1, Registered Pension Plan Annuity Contract.

2020-05-01
Temporary Covid-19 relief measure for money purchase and defined benefit pension plans 

On April 29, 2020, the Department of Finance issued a comfort letter in regards to subsections 8308(4), (5), and (6) of the Income Tax Regulations related to plan members with a period of reduced services that ended in 2019.

In the case of defined benefit plans, subsection 8308(4) allows a member to elect to have the period of reduced services credited as pensionable service under the plan. The election must occur by April 30th of the year following the year in which a period of reduced services ends. Similar rules apply under subsections 8308(5) and (6) for a period of reduced services under money purchase plans. When any of these Regulations apply, plan members can have the period recognized on a current service basis, so that employers can report the period by way of a pension adjustment (PA) rather than a past-service pension adjustment (PSPA).

In light of the Covid-19 pandemic, the Department of Finance is proposing to extend the April 30, 2020 deadline to June 1, 2020, or a later date acceptable to the Minister of National Revenue, for a period of reduced services that ended in 2019. It is the longstanding practice of the Canada Revenue Agency to allow taxpayers to act on proposed tax measures on the assumption that the legislation for these measures will be enacted. Therefore, plan members can make an election under their plans, subject to any plan restrictions, on or before June 1, 2020. If a later date is required, please write to us at Registered Plans Directorate, Canada Revenue Agency, Ottawa ON K1A 0L5 providing the specific details for the delayed election, for the purpose of being "Acceptable to the Minister”. 

2020-04-14
The Registered Plans Directorate has updated Contact RPD to reflect our new telephone numbers. You may continue to contact the RPD toll-free from Canada and the United States at 1-800-267-3100. If you are calling from outside of Canada or the United States, call us collect at 613-221-3105. The Registered Plans Directorate accepts collect calls. These new telephone numbers are effective today. Our mail and courier addresses remain unchanged.

2020-03-30
The Registered Plans Directorate has published Questions and Answers about reducing the required minimum withdrawals from registered retirement income funds by 25% for 2020.  Similar rules apply to individuals receiving variable benefit payments under a defined contribution registered pension plan or a pooled registered pension plan.

2020-03-25
The RPD has updated the Supplementary Unemployment Benefit Plans (SUBP) webpages

Please note that CRA registration is only required when a separate trust is being set up for the purposes of the SUBP. Registration with Service Canada is still required. For more information see SUBP - Businesses.

2020-03-20
The Registered Plans Directorate is extending the deadline to submit comments in relation to draft Actuarial Bulletin No. 4, Reasonable Methods to Apportion Assets and Actuarial Liabilities. Interested parties should provide written submissions by July 31, 2020, to RPD.LPRA2@cra-arc.gc.ca.

2020-01-08
The Registered Plans Directorate has started a consultation process for its draft actuarial bulletin No. 4, Reasonable Methods to Apportion Assets and Actuarial Liabilities.

Organizations interested in submitting their views are invited to review the draft bulletin. We would appreciate receiving one submission per organization in order to streamline the consultation process.

Written comments should be forwarded by May 15, 2020, to RPD.LPRA2@cra-arc.gc.ca.

2020-01-06
The Registered Plans Directorate has updated guide T4084, Pension Adjustment

2019

2019-12-30
The Registered Plans Directorate has updated the list of Registered Investments available in the Canada Gazette as of December 31, 2018.

2019-12-11
The RPD has updated the RESP Bulletin No.1R1 to include the annual educational assistance payment threshold limit for 2020.

2019-12-06
The Registered Plans Directorate announces the 2020 TFSA dollar limit. 

2019-11-01
The Registered Plans Directorate announces that the 2020 money purchase (MP) limit of $27,830, the 2020 defined benefit (DB) limit of $3,092.22, the 2021 registered retirement savings plan (RRSP) limit of $27,830, the 2020 deferred profit sharing plan (DPSP) limit of $13,915 and the 2020 year’s maximum pensionable earnings (YMPE) of $58,700.

2019-07-24
The RPD has updated section 8.1 8502(a) – Primary Purpose of the RPP Technical Manual.

2019-06-07
The Registered Plans Directorate, together with the Financial Services Commission of Ontario and Retraite Québec, have updated the T1200, Actuarial Information Summary.

2019-07-03
The RPD has updated some of our webpages to include the following legislative changes: 

2019-06-06
The Deferred Profit Sharing Plans webpages have been updated.

2019-03-27
Budget 2019 proposes to prohibit individual pension plans (IPPs) from providing retirement benefits in respect of past years of employment that were pensionable under a defined benefit plan of an employer other than the IPP’s participating employer (or its predecessor employer). Any assets transferred from a former employer’s defined benefit plan to an IPP that relate to benefits provided in respect of prohibited service will be considered to be a non-qualifying transfer that is required to be included in the income of the member for income tax purposes.

This applies to pensionable service credited under an IPP after March 18, 2019.

2019-02-07
The RPD has published the 2018 RPP Practitioners' Forum, Summary Report.

2018

2018-12-20
The Registered Plans Directorate has updated guide T4104, Past Service Pension Adjustment, to reflect current addresses and contact information for PSPA reporting.

2018-12-12
RPD updated the RESP Bulletin No. 1R1 to include the annual educational assistance payment threshold limit for 2019.

2018-12-11
The RPD has published Newsletter no. 18-1, Repayments to Registered Pension Plans.

2018-12-04
The Registered Plans Directorate has started a consultation process for its draft newsletter, Registered Pension Plan (RPP) Annuity Contracts under Section 147.4 of the Income Tax Act.

As this newsletter affects registered pension plan administrators, plan members, consultants and licensed annuities providers, it is important to consult with the pension industry to make sure that the newsletter adequately addresses issues related to acquiring outside annuities in satisfaction of a member’s rights to benefits under a registered pension plan.

Organizations interested in submitting their views are invited to review the Registered Pension Plan Annuity Contracts – Draft Newsletter for Industry Consultation. We would appreciate receiving one submission per organization in order to streamline the consultation process.

Written comments should be forwarded by March 1, 2019 to RPD.LPRA2@cra-arc.gc.ca.

2018-11-27
The Registered Plans Directorate announces the 2019 TFSA dollar limit.

2018-11-21
The Registered Plans Directorate has updated the list of Registered Investments available in the Canada Gazette as of December 31, 2017.

2018-11-01
The Registered Plans Directorate announces that the 2019 money purchase (MP) limit is $27,230, the 2019 defined benefit (DB) limit is $3,025.56, the 2020 registered retirement savings plan (RRSP) limit is $27,230, the 2019 deferred profit sharing plan (DPSP) limit is $13,615 and the 2019 year’s maximum pensionable earnings (YMPE) is $57,400.

2018-07-31
The Registered Plans Directorate has updated the XML schemas of forms T920 and T244. We also increased  the number of forms available for electronic filing. See Filing forms with the Registered Plans Directorate for the list of options for RPD forms.

2018-04-17
The RPD has updated guide RC4137, Pension Adjustment Reversal Guide.

2018-03-27
The RPD has updated Newsletter 96-3R1, Flexible Pension Plans.

2018-03-05
The Registered Plans Directorate publishes Information Circular IC18-1, Tax-Free Savings Accounts.

2017

2017-12-21
The Registered Plans Directorate announces the 2018 TFSA dollar limit.

2017-11-02
The RPD announces that the 2018 money purchase (MP) limit is $26,500, the 2018 defined benefit (DB) limit is $2,944.44, the 2019 registered retirement savings plan (RRSP) limit is $26,500, the 2018 deferred profit sharing plan (DPSP) limit is $13,250 and the 2018 year’s maximum pensionable earnings (YMPE) is $55,900.

2017-10-31
The Registered Plans Directorate has updated the number of forms available for electronic filing. For more information, see Filing forms with the RPD.

2017-06-14
We are in the process of moving our services and information to Canada.ca over the coming weeks. The Canada Revenue Agency website will remain available until the move to Canada.ca is complete.

Once the move to Canada.ca is complete, the Registered Plans Directorate’s content will be found on the Savings and pension plan administration page.

2017-04-27
The Registered Plans Directorate is increasing the number of forms available for electronic filing. For more information, see Filing forms with the RPD.

2017-04-25
The RPD has published the 2016 RPP Practitioners' Forum, Summary Report.

2017-03-30
The RPD has updated form T1200, Actuarial Information Summary.

2017-02-09
The RPD has updated form T920, Application to Amend a Registered Pension Plan.

2017-01-24
The Registered Plans Directorate (RPD) will require all issuers and carriers to file their retirement savings plan (RSP) and retirement income fund (RIF) registration listings through internet file transfer (IFT) starting on January 1, 2019. Contract listings submitted on CD-ROM or DVD-ROM will no longer be accepted after December 31, 2018.

2017-01-10
RPD updated the RESP Bulletin No. 1R1 to include the educational assistance payment threshold limit for 2017.

2016

2016-12-29
The RPD has updated Forms T244, Registered Pension Plan Annual Information Return, T510, Application to Register a Pension Plan, T2011, Registered Pension Plan Change of Information Form and T2014, Request for a Priority Review of a Registered Pension Plan.

2016-12-21
The RPD has updated the T550 XML schema for RSP and RIF listings to include changes to the T619, Electronic Transmittal. The prior schema will still be accepted for listings sent in 2016 and 2017.

2016-12-15
The Registered Plans Directorate announces the 2017 TFSA dollar limit.

2016-12-15
The Registered Plans Directorate has updated the list of Registered Investments available in the Canada Gazette as of December 31, 2015.

2016-12-08
The RPD has updated guide T4099, Registered Pension Plan Guide.

2016-11-22
The Registered Plans Directorate has updated question 1(e) of the 2011 Budget - Questions and answers relating to non-qualified investments. Starting in 2017, you will need to send the information relating to non-qualified investment transactions in RRSPs and RRIFs electronically. Submissions using CD-ROMs will no longer be accepted.

2016-11-04
The RPD announces that the 2017 money purchase (MP) limit is $26,230, the 2017 defined benefit (DB) limit is $2,914.44, the 2018 registered retirement savings plan (RRSP) is $26,230, the 2017 deferred profit sharing plan (DPSP) limit is $13,115 and the 2017 year’s maximum pensionable earnings (YMPE) is $55,300.

2016-07-08
The Registered Plans Directorate publishes the Actuarial Bulletin 1R1. This bulletin cancels and replaces Actuarial Bulletin No. 1, dated May, 2008. This information has also been available in PDF format since July 8, 2015, as announced on our website on that day.

2016-06-01
The Registered Plans Directorate will be moving offices on Friday June 3, 2016.  As a result, our telephone enquiries service will be unavailable on June 3, 2016 from 12:00 p.m. until 12:00 p.m. Monday, June 6, 2016.  Our phone messaging service will, however, be available. We will respond to any messages received during that time by the end of the day June 6, 2016.

2016-05-05
The Registered Plans Directorate publishes the information circular IC93-3R2, Registered Education Savings Plans (RESP). This circular cancels and replaces IC93-3R1 dated November 18, 2010.

2016-05-04
The RPD has published Newsletter 16-3, Transfers from underfunded individual pension plans.

2016-04-22
Amendments to the Income Tax Regulations to require the withholding of tax from payments made from a registered disability savings plan were approved by the Governor General in Council and were published in the March 9, 2016, edition of Part II of the Canada Gazette. They may be viewed at Income Tax Regulations (Withholding of Income Tax on Payments from Registered Disability Savings Plans).

2016-04-22
The RPD has published Newsletter 16-2, Annual Information Return — reminder of filing obligation and late-filing penalties.

2016-03-18
The RPD has updated Form T2214, Application for Registration as a Deferred Profit Sharing Plan.

2016-03-15
The RPD has published Compliance Bulletin No. 9, Newsletter 16-1, Qualifying Transfers to Individual Pension Plans, and updated Newsletter 95-6R1, Specimen Pension Plans - Speeding up the Process.

2016-02-10
The Registered Plans Directorate publishes Information Circular IC99-1R1, Registered Disability Savings Plans and updated the Registered Disability Savings Plan webpages.

2016-01-05
RPD updated the RESP Bulletin No.1R1 to include the annual educational assistance payment threshold limit for 2016.

2015

2015-12-18
The RPD has published the follow-up to the 2014 RPP Practitioners' Forum.

2015-12-11
On December 7, 2015, the Minister of Finance tabled a ways and means motion which contained provisions to return the tax free savings account (TFSA) annual contribution limit to $5,500 from $10,000. The new TFSA dollar limit will be indexed to inflation for future years. The proposed changes will take effect on January 1, 2016 (subject to Parliamentary approval).

The Canada Revenue Agency has developed several questions and answers to explain the new provisions related to the TFSA dollar limit.

2015-12-09
The Registered Plans Directorate announces the 2016 TFSA dollar limit.

2015-11-20
The Registered Plans Directorate updated the Registered Disability Savings Plan webpages, RDSP Bulletin 2R2, and RDSP Bulletin 3R1. The updates incorporate the RDSP measures of Budget 2012 and Budget 2015, including new dates for the Qualifying Family Member measure.

2015-11-20
The report of the consultations held in 2012 and 2013 on the new proposed tax withholding Regulations on payments from Registered Disability Savings Plans is now available.

2013

2013-12-17
The RPD has updated chapters 4 and 6 of the RPP Technical Manual. This update is part of a series of updates that will be coming soon.

2013-11-27
The RPD has updated chapters 2, 3, 5 and 13 of the RPP Technical Manual. This update is part of a series of updates that will be coming soon.

2013-11-25
The Registered Plans Directorate released new Questions and Answers regarding the Proposed 8517(3) Amendment – Underfunded Pension Plan Transfer Limit Comfort Letter.

2013-11-22
Registered Plans Directorate has updated the administrative procedures for filing registration listings, through internet file transfer or on CD-ROM or DVD-ROM.

2013-11-20
Registered Plans Directorate publishes an update to Newsletter No. 04-2R, Registered Pension Plan Applications - Processing an Incomplete Application, concerning the acceptability of photocopies.

2013-11-04
The Registered Plans Directorate announces a new project to assess compliance of defined benefit pension plans.

2013-10-25
Registered Plans Directorate publishes Compliance Bulletin no. 8.

2013-06-27
Extension to the Annual Information Return (AIR) filing deadline

In line with the Minister of National Revenue’s June 26th announcement of relief for businesses affected by flooding in Alberta, please note that this extension applies to all registered pension plans in Alberta that are required to file their AIR before August 2, 2013.

2013-06-26
New information is published for issuers and carriers when gathering information from potential clients for RRSP/RRIF, RESP, RDSP and TFSA.

2013-05-31
The Canada Revenu Agency introduces a new technical publication product to update the income tax interpretation bulletins. The new publications are know as the Income Tax Folios.

2013-05-17
The Registered Plans Directorate publishes RDSP Bulletin No. 4 , RDSP Bulletin No. 2R1 and the Sample pro forma - Declaration of Trust on RDSPs is updated.

2013-05-17
The Registered Plans Directorate publishes RDSP Bulletin No. 4. This bulletin gives information to RESP promoters on RESP rollovers to RDSPs.

2013-05-10
Question 6 of the "RPP Practitioners' Forum - 2009" is modified - Reciprocal transfer involving a plan with an unfunded liability.

2013-05-10
The Registered Plans Directorate wants to inform RESP promoters that they no longer need to file commercially printed copies or final PDF versions of their RESP application form and declaration of trust/plan terms after the documents are approved.

2013-04-05
New RSP and RIF contact transfer rules. See question 3 of the RRSPs/RRIFs questions and answers.

2013-03-01
Registered Plans Directorate announces 2011 Budget changes relating to financial institutions' reporting and remittance requirements as RRSP and RRIF carriers.

2013-02-28
New information on the Pooled Registered Pension Plan (PRPP) is now available.

2013-01-28
Modification of administrative procedures for filing registration listings, through internet file transfer or on CD-ROM or DVD-ROM.

2013-01-04
Requests for administrative relief relating to registration issues is updated:
Case no. 10 - Locked-in funds and
Case no. 11 - Group RSP containing spousal or common-law partner RRSPs.

2012

2012-12-21
The Registered Plans Directorate announces the 2013 TFSA dollar limit.

2012-12-11
Registered Plans Directorate publishes Compliance Bulletin no. 6r1.

2012-10-30         
Frequently Asked Questions on TFSAs is updated:
Question 10 - Does a TFSA that is a segregated fund annuity contract which provides for the payment of a guaranteed minimum withdrawal benefit (GMWB) satisfy the conditions found in paragraph 146.2(2)(e) of the Income Tax Act?

2012-10-17
The Registered Plans Directorate publishes RDSP Bulletin No. 3 and the Sample pro forma - Declaration of Trust on RDSPs is updated.

2012-07-09
Individual pension plans minimum withdrawals

On June 6, 2011; the Department of Finance Canada released Budget 2011 that incorporated changes to certain rules of the Income Tax Regulations concerning registered pension plans (RPPs). Bill C-13 introduced, among other things, a definition of the term individual pension plan (IPP) under subsection 8300(1) of the Regulations. It also introduced a requirement for an IPP to pay out to a member, each year after the year in which the member attains 71 years of age, a minimum amount.

The definition and rule for computing the IPP minimum amount are found under subsection 8500(1) of the Regulations.

The purpose of this requirement is to establish reasonable limits on deferrals of tax on IPP savings and generally ensure that such savings are received as income throughout the retirement period of the member, consistent with the basic purpose of RPPs.

These minimum withdrawals apply to the 2012 and subsequent taxation years for IPP members who reached 71 years of age in 2011 or earlier.

If your RPP meets the IPP definition, you must amend your plan terms to include the IPP minimum withdrawal requirement. To make it easy for you to amend your RPP, we have created a form containing generic wording for the amendments. If you choose to use this wording, complete and sign the form and return it to the
Registered Plans Directorate.

We have pre-approved the generic wording and have waived the requirement that you send a Form T-920, Application to Amend a Registered Pension Plan, or other supporting documents such as a board resolution with the amendment. This waiver applies to this generic wording only and not to any other plan amendments.

These amendments, effective January 1, 2012, apply to both existing and new IPPs. You must submit the amendment to your plan no later than December 31, 2012. In the interim, IPPs must be administered in accordance with the new requirements.

2012-06-27
Registered Investments as of December 31, 2011 is available in the Canada Gazette.

2012-05-23
A new address and mailbox is to be used when reporting lists of incorrect or unreported PAs for past years. Pension Adjustment (PA)

2012-04-27
Effective immediately, the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) will stop mailing the Annual Information Return (Form T244) to registered pension plan administrators. Previously, the CRA mailed blank copies of this form to plan administrators who did not have an agreement covering these returns with their provincial authority or another regulator. In accordance with paragraph 8409(1)(b) of the Income Tax Regulations, this information return must be filed with the CRA within 180 days following the registered pension plan fiscal year end. This prescribed form must still be completed by plan administrators and sent to the CRA. The T244 can be found on our web site.

This change is in line with the sustainable development strategy, released by the Government of Canada in October 2010.

Please direct your questions or concerns to our general enquiry group.

2012-04-11
Registered Plans Directorate publishes
RRSP/RRIF Bulletin No. 1

2012-04-11
The CRA announces the launch of TFSA
webinars.

2012-04-04
2011 Budget - Questions and Answers (Measure for members of registered pension plans sponsored by employers who have commenced bankruptcy and insolvency proceedings).

2012-01-25
Registered Plans Directorate announces
2011 Budget changes relating to financial institutions' reporting and remittance requirements as RRSP and RRIF carriers.

2012-01-13
Registered Plans Directorate publishes Information Circular IC99-1 Registered Disability Savings Plans

2011

2011-12-12
Frequently Asked Questions on RESPs on RESPs is updated:
Question 8 - Transfers

2011-12-06
The Registered Plans Directorate announces the 2012 TFSA dollar
limit.

2011-08-25
The Registered Plans Directorate (RPD) will be amending Actuarial Bulletin No. 1.

2011-08-02
Registered Plans Directorate publishes RDSP Bulletin No. 2.

2011-07-14
RDSP Frequently Asked Questions and Sample pro forma - Declaration of Trust on RDSPs are updated.

2011-06-23
New version of T244, Registered Pension Plan Annual Information Return 

2011-06-07
On June 6, 2011, the Honourable James M Flaherty, Minister of Finance, announced proposed income tax measures. Certain measures were previously announced on March 22, 2011, in the Federal Budget.

The Canada Revenue Agency has prepared several questions and answers related to these measures.

For further details on the Budget, visit Finance Canada.

2011-06-01
New version of T1200, Actuarial Information Summary.

2011-05-24
Registered Plans Directorate publishes
RESP Bulletin No. 2.

2011-05-24
Registered Plans Directorate publishes RDSP Bulletin No. 1.

2011-05-11
Update to the
technical specifications for RSP/RIF listings (The contract field must be unique for each annuitant under a specimen plan or fund. Once an account is closed, the contract number may not be reused in the future).

2011-05-01
Registered Plans Directorate publishes Compliance Bulletin no. 7.

2011-02-28
Update on
rejected individual TFSA record from CRA (code 11, 37 and 72).

2011-02-22
Question 16 of the "2005 RPP Consultation session" is modified - Incorrect pension payments - over and under payments.

2011-02-09
Frequestly Asked Questions on RESPs is updated:
Question 6(j)- What is a post-secondary educational institution for the purposes of an EAP?
Question 6(k) - How does one confirm if a post-secondary educational institution is recognized for EAP purposes?

2011-01-14
Question 29 of the "Frequently Asked Questions on RPPs" - What review process does RPD undertake for an 8503(5) waiver request?

2010

2010-12-21
Updated XML schema, ASCII schema and technical specifications for RSP/RIF listings.

2010-12-15
Registered Plans Directorate publishes Information Circular IC93-3R1 Registered Education Savings Plans.

2010-11-10
Update to Question 2 of the 2009 RPP Practitioners' Forum: Annuity Purchase Treated as a Transfer under the Income Tax Act. The Canada Revenue Agency will allow the payment of a lump sum representing the difference between the commuted value of a member's deferred pension and the purchase price of annuity from a licensed annuity provider. This lump sum payment is a permissible distribution when required by the Pension Benefits Standards Act, 1985 or similar law of a province.

2010-10-07
Registered Plans Directorate publishes Actuarial Bulletin No.2.

2010-09-15
Sections 4.10 147.3(8) (Money purchase plan replaces DB plan) and 6.2 8303(7) (Deemed payment) of the technical manual are modified.

2010-07-21
Process to change name/date of birth

2010-07-02
The PDF version of the RPP technical manual is available and section 19.1 8515(1) (Designated plan) has been amended.

2010-05-26
Changes to the ESP application form.

2010-05-19
The fillable version of form T2214 is available.

2010-04-08
Question 28 of the "Frequently Asked Questions on RPPs" - Increase in the surplus threshold under the Income Tax Act from 10 per cent to 25 per cent.

2010-02-16
Question 17 of the of the "Frequently Asked Questions" on RDSPs (Why are RDSP contracts communicated to a financial institution as "pending" when an RDSP contract is considered registered at the time of signature?).

2010-01-07
RC4477 Tax-Free Savings Account (TFSA) Guide for Issuers 2009

2009

2009-12-03
Question 27 of the "Frequently Asked Questions on RPPs" - 2010 defined benefit limit.

2009-12-03
Question 5 under Successor reporting and marriage breakdown and Simplified example #1 of the Frequently asked questions on TFSA return are modified.

2009-11-26
New versions of T510, Application To Register a Pension Plan and T920, Application to Amend a Registered Pension Plan.

2009-11-05
Questions from the Industry, 2009 RPP Practitioners' Forum

2009-10-28
The Honourable Jim Flaherty, Minister of Finance, announced on October 27, 2009, proposed measures to amend the Pension Benefits Standards Act, 1985, applicable to federally regulated pension plans, and the Income Tax Act, which applies to both federally and provincially regulated pension plans. The release can be found on the Department of Finance website.

2009-10-20
Frequently asked questions on TFSA return

2009-10-19
The Honourable Jim Flaherty, Minister of Finance, today issued a news release announcing his intention to propose amendments to the Income Tax Act to strengthen the rules applicable to Tax Free Savings Accounts (TFSAs). The release can be found on the Department of Finance website.

2009-10-06
Question 8 (Process for revising an application package) in the following document "Application Package - Approval Process" is updated.

2009-09-17
Registered Plans Directorate publishes Newsletter 09-1, Administrative Relief Procedures for Retroactive Lump-Sum Catch-Up Payments and related Frequently Asked Questions.

2009-07-09
You should use the new version of the T2214 for all deferred profit sharing plan registrations submitted after June 29, 2009. As of November 1, 2009, we will not accept applications that use a previous version of the T2214. They will be returned to the sender.

2009-06-30
New version of  T2214, Application for Registration as a Deferred Profit Sharing Plan.

2009-06-30
Transfers of Qualifying Arrangements between Tax-Free Savings Account Specimens

2009-05-29
Registered Plans Directorate publishes its sixth Compliance Bulletin — Replaced by Compliance Bulletin No. 6r1.

2009-05-08
Questions and Answers, 2008 Specialty Products Practitioners' Forum

2009-05-07
The definition of Administrator is updated (sections 1.4 and 2.5 of the Technical manual) .

2009-04-08
T4104 Past Service Pension Adjustment Guide

2009-04-06
Update "Frequently Asked Questions on RESPs" further to Bill-C28 and Budget 2008 (Contributions, Educational assistance payments, Plan termination)

2009-03-19
RZ program account for TFSA annual information return.

2009-03-03
Questions from the Industry, 2008 RPP Practitioners' Forum

2009-02-12
The Registered Plans Directorate wishes to re-confirm that multi-purpose holder application forms will not be accepted for TFSAs.

Due to the differing regulatory framework, terminology, and tax treatment, the TFSA is distinct from other registered products under the Income Tax Act. Also, based on our experience, there is significant administrative relief associated with errors made when filling out multi-purpose application forms. Consequently, TFSA applications cannot be part of a multi-purpose holder application form.

2009-01-27
Revised TFSA reporting data elements: Account number on Individual records is now mandatory and must be unique under the TFSA Identification number, addition of the "email address" in the contact information, addition of fair market value at date of death on the Individual records, deletion of the "contact person" information on the Individual records (only required on Summary).

2009-01-27
Administrative procedures: Specimen plan approval process; Contract registration; Disability assistance payments

2008

2008-12-23
Question 16 of the "Frequently Asked Questions" on RDSPs (If an RDSP is opened in 2009, is the beneficiary able to apply for the 2008 Grant and Bond?)

2008-12-11
RC4466 Tax-Free Savings Account (TFSA) - Information Sheet

2008-10-21
The Registered Plans Directorate RPP glossary is updated.

2008-10-21
Registered Plans Directorate publishes Newsletter 94-3R Using Assumptions to compute the Present value of Benefits

2008-09-08
Sample pro forma - Declaration of trust

2008-09-08
Questions and Answers and reporting data elements for TFSA issuers

2008-08-29
New guidelines for tax-free savings account (TFSA) issuers on how to apply for a TFSA identification number.

2008-08-12
Registered Plans Directorate publishes its first RESP Bulletin

2008-08-05
Invitation to the Specialty Products 2008 Practitioner's Forum

2008-06-20
Section 10.1 (Eligible Service), Sections 11.18 to 11.26 (Phased Retirement Benefits), Section 12.2 (Highest Average Compensation) and Section 15.3.1 (Qualifying Period) of the Technical Manual are modified to include phased retirement benefits.

2008-06-12
Registered Plans Directorate publishes its fifth Compliance Bulletin

2008-06-09
T4084 Pension Adjustment Guide

2008-06-02
Registered Plans Directorate publishes its first Actuarial Bulletin

2008-05-06
Frequently Asked Questions on Registered Disability Savings Plans (RDSPs)

2008-04-02
RC4137 Pension Adjustment Reversal Guide

2008-01-11
Technical manual - 9.3.2 8503(2)(a)(ii) - Cost-of-living Adjustments, has been amended to more clearly reflect the indexing requirements of the Agency and the Income Tac Act.

2008-01-09
Question 7 of the "Frequently Asked Questions on PAR" (Two original PARs).

2007

2007-12-14
Chapters 8 (Conditions Applicable to all Pension Plans), 9 (Defined Benefit Provisions), 14 (Money Purchase Provisions) and 20 (Transfer - Defined Benefit to Money Purchase) of the Technical Manual are modified to reflect the increase in the age limit to 71.

2007-12-14
Question 26 of the "Frequently Asked Questions on RPPs" (Phased retirement).

2007-10-30
New withholding rates for lump-sum payments

2007-09-24
Question 2 of the "Frequently Asked Questions" on RRSPs/RRIFs is modified (locked-in designation)

2007-09-24
REMINDER - The Canada Revenue Agency will return any application for registration and request for approval of amendments to a registered pension plan received on or after September 30, 2007, if the new version of the prescribed form, either T510, Application to Register a Pension Plan or T920, Application to Amend a Registered Pension Plan is not correctly completed and attached to the appropriate documents that constitute a complete application. For more information, please refer to Re-engineering - Frequently Asked Questions - RPP Forms. For more information on what constitutes a complete application to register a pension plan or amend a registered pension plan, please refer to Frequently Asked Questions - Application to register or amend a registered pension plan.

2007-09-24
Question 25 of the "Frequently Asked Questions" on RPPs (Designated plan waiver (no more accruals))

2007-08-23
Registered Plans Directorate publishes IC77-1R5 Deferred Profit Sharing Plans

2007-06-29
Registered Plans Directorate publishes its fourth Compliance Bulletin

2007-06-28
Question 6 of the "Frequently Asked Questions on PSPA" - PSPA benefit exclusion under paragraph 8303(5)(f)

2007-06-20
Question 21 of the "Frequently Asked Questions" - Contributions for former employees of a predecessor employer

2007-04-27
Section 11.1.3 of the Technical Manual is modified (Regulation 8503(4)(a)(iii) - Past Service Contributions) to specify that contributions in respect of post-1989 years are limited to the amount reasonably necessary to fund post-1989 benefits

2007-04-27
Section 12.1.1 of the Technical Manual is modified (Regulation 8504(1)(a)(i) - Maximum for Connected Persons) to specify that the lesser of the defined benefit limit and 2% of earnings test must be done for every year of service

2007-04-25
Money purchase limits, RRSP limits, YMPE, DPSP limits and Defined benefit limits

2007-03-26
RPP Questions from the Industry (Questions 18, 19 and 20)

2006

2006-09-19
Question 3 of the " Pension Adjustment (PA) Frequently Asked Questions " is modified (PAs not reported or incorrect PAs reported)

2006-09-07
The Association of Registrars of the Universities and Colleges of Canada (ARUCC) has developed a sample form for proof of enrolment

2006-06-08
Questions from the Industry, RPP Consultation Session (November 30, 2005)

2006-02-13
Question 6 of the "Frequestly Asked Questions" - Foreign content rule for RRSPs and RRIFs

2006-02-08
Registered Plans Directorate publishes its third Compliance Bulletin

2006-01-11
New question 10 and ancillary changes to other "Frequently Asked Questions" on RESPs pursuant to Bill  C-5

2005

2005-11-14
Information on withholding tax requirements on payments from a registered retirement income fund (RRIF)

2005-11-01
The Registered Plans Directorate Technical Manual on registered pension plans (RPP) is now available online on the RPP site. Our clients requested that we publish this internal resource as an aid to them in understanding our interpretation of the Income Tax Act legislation affecting registered pension plans. As part of our educational outreach program, we are pleased to provide this resource.

2005-07-26
RRSP/RRIF contract lists may be filed using XML technology

2005-06-08
Questions from the Industry, RPP Consultation Session (November 23, 2004)

2005-04-07
Question 5 of the "Frequently Asked Questions" on PSPA

2005-03-23
T4099 Registered Pension Plan Guide

2005-02-17
Registered Plans Directorate publishes its second Compliance Bulletin

2005-01-25
Question 10 of the "Frequently Asked Questions" on Registered Education Savings Plans

2004

2004-10-06
Question 6(h) of the "Frequently Asked Questions"

2004-06-16
The Registered Plans Directorate retains Archived newsletters for historical purposes.

2004-06-05
Registered Plans Directorate electronic mailing list, a free service to help us serve you better

2004-06-04
Requests for administrative relief - RRSP issuers or RRIF carriers may remove the spousal contributor designation on marriage breakdown when certain conditions are met

2004-06-04
All the information on Registered Investments is now available on a separate page. The Registered Plans Directorate now publishes Frequently Asked Questions RIs for Registered Investments.

2004-05-26
Our Registered Education Savings Plan (RESP) web page now has a hyperlink to the Province of Alberta web site for more information on Alberta Centennial Savings (ACES) Plan

2004-05-04
Registered Plans Directorate publishes Newsletter 04-1 Transfers from a Defined Benefit Provision to a Money Purchase Provision, an RRSP, or a RRIF and Transfers Between Defined Benefit Provisions

2004-05-04
Registered Plans Directorate publishes Newsletter 04-2 Registered Pension Plan Applications - Processing an Incomplete Application

2004-04-14
Minutes of the RRSP/RRIF Consultation Session (October 27-28, 2003)

2004-03-26
Questions from the Industry, RPP Consultation Session (December 3, 2003)

2004-03-10
Question 4 of the "Questions from the Industry, RPP Consultation Session (December 6, 2001) " is modified

2004-01-29
What are the requirements under the Income Tax Act regarding marketing incentives for Registered Retirement Savings Plans?

2004-01-20
RRSP contribution deadline for the 2003 tax year

2004-01-16
Question 1 of the Frequently asked questions on Retirement Savings Plans and Retirement Income Funds has been modified

2003

2003-06-20
Question 16 of the "Frequently asked questions - Registered Pension Plans"

2003-06-18
Questions and Answers, RPP Consultation Session (November 21, 2002)

2003-03-28
Question 15 of the "Frequently asked questions - Registered Pension Plans"

2003-03-27
Question 6 of the Pension Adjustment Reversal - Frequently Asked Questions

2003-03-05
Requirements for issuers and carriers to set up an electronic application form for a retirement savings plan or a retirement income fund

2003-03-05
Procedures for requests for administrative relief relating to registration issues of a registered retirement savings plan or a registered retirement income fund

2003-01-09
Answers 3 under the PA and PSPA Frequently asked questions have been modified

2002

2002-12-04
Our Registered Education Savings Plan (RESP) web page has now a hyperlink to Human Resources Development Canada (HRDC) web site for more details on RESPs

2002-10-22
Question 3 of the Frequently asked questions on Retirement Savings Plans and Retirement Income Funds has been modified

2002-10-08
IC93-3R Registered Education Saving Plans - Draft — Replaced by IC93–3R1

2002-09-23
Specimen Plan Approvals - RSP & RIF

2002-05-14
Questions 2(f) and 3(d) of the Frequently asked questions on Registered Education Savings Plans have been modified

2002-05-03
Registered Plans Directorate publishes Newsletter 95-6R Specimen Pension Plans - Speeding up the Process

2002-05-03
Questions from the Industry, RPP Consultation Session (December 6, 2001)

2002-01-28
T3 returns for non-registered education savings plans (ESPs) set up in 1999 and 2000

2002-01-23
The Registered Plans Directorate has introduced a new method to simplify how to file locked-in addenda for RSPs and RIFs.

2002-01-15
The Registered Plans Directorate has published information on Pension Adjustments (PA), Past Service Pension Adjustments (PSPA) and Pension Adjustment Reversal (PAR)

2001

2001-12-12
The Registered Plans Division now publishes "Frequently Asked Questions" for Registered Pension Plans.

2001-11-14
The Registered Plans Directorate now publishes a list of Registered Investments (RIs)

2001-03-30
The Registered Plans Directorate now publishes "Frequently Asked Questions" for Retirement Savings Plans and Retirement Income Funds

2001-03-30
Registered Plans Directorate publishes three Newsletters

2001-03-30
Questions from the Industry, Consultation Session of November 22nd, 2000

2001-03-30
The Registered Plans Division now publishes "Frequently Asked Questions" for Registered Education Savings Plans.

2000

2000-01-17
RPD Consultation Meeting - Questions and Answers

1999

1999-06-17
Ottawa and Newfoundland and Labrador harmonize their annual information returns for registered pension plans

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