RRSP GIC: A Way to Invest In Your Retirement

Your registered retirement savings plan can hold guaranteed investment certificates. Putting a GIC in an RRSP has tax benefits that may boost your retirement savings.

Guaranteed investment certificates, or GICs, have long been considered an ideal choice for short-term savings goals. And when interest rates and financial uncertainty are both high, as they have been since early 2022, reliable investments like GICs become even more attractive.

But what about long-term financial goals? Can GICs be used to save for something like retirement? Yes, they can.

One way to transform a GIC into a long-term savings tool is to hold it in a registered retirement savings account.

RRSPs vs. GICs

A registered retirement savings plan (RRSP) is a government-registered account designed to help Canadians save for retirement. As a registered account, it comes with tax benefits: The tax on any RRSP contribution is deferred until money is withdrawn, typically in retirement.

A GIC is a type of investment. Money is deposited with a financial institution for a predetermined period of time and guaranteed to earn a fixed rate of interest (although some GICs do have variable interest rates.)

Once the GIC term is up and the investment has matured, you get the initial amount back plus the interest earned. But if you try to break the contract and withdraw the money early, you will be penalized. GICs can be held in registered or non-registered accounts.

How to hold a GIC in an RRSP

GICs can be purchased from banks, credit unions and online-only banks. One isn’t necessarily better than the other, so shop around for the best rates and make sure the financial institution you’re buying your GIC from is insured.

You will need to make a minimum investment, (usually $500, although it varies by financial institution) and sign a contract that states you will keep your money in the GIC for a certain length of time. When it’s time to choose the type of account in which you want to hold the GIC, you can opt to put the GIC in your RRSP.

Why hold GICs in an RRSP?

A benefit of holding GICs in your RRSP is that you won’t be taxed on the interest you earn — at least, not immediately. An RRSP GIC is tax-deferred, so you’ll pay taxes when you withdraw the money, usually when you retire.

Because RRSPs are designed to help you save for retirement, you can’t simply cash in an RRSP GIC and access the money when the term is up. The money has to stay in your RRSP or you will be penalized for an early withdrawal. Because of this rule, it doesn’t make much sense to choose a cashable or redeemable RRSP GIC; a non-redeemable GIC is usually a better option.

If the main goal of choosing a GIC is to save for retirement, then an RRSP GIC is an option worth considering. But if you might need to access the money sooner, consider holding GICs in a tax-free savings account, a registered education savings plan (if you’ll use the funds to pay for education), or even a non-registered account. Just remember that there are no tax advantages when holding investments in a non-registered account.

Pros and cons of RRSP GICs

Holding GICs in an RRSP has benefits, but it may not be for everyone. Here are the main pros and cons to be aware of:

Pros

RRSPs allow your money to grow tax-deferred, which means you can earn more interest over time.
GICs are relatively safe because they’re guaranteed, which means you won’t lose any of your original investment.
Contributing to an RRSP can lower the amount of income tax you pay while you’re still working.

Cons

Tax-deferred does not mean tax-free. You will eventually pay taxes on your RRSP withdrawals.
GICs may offer lower returns than other RRSP investment options.
Your money is locked in. Even when the GIC has matured, you shouldn’t withdraw the funds since they’re part of your RRSP. Withdrawing before retirement could result in penalties.
RRSPs have age and contribution limits to consider, and overcontributing comes with penalties.

Yes, but it’s not necessarily advisable. Withdrawing funds from your RRSP before retirement will trigger a withholding tax, and the amount withdrawn will be considered taxable income for the year. If you want to purchase GICs with a registered account and be able to access your GIC investments once they mature, consider holding them in a TFSA.

An RRSP GIC is a guaranteed investment certificate held in a registered retirement savings plan. Investing in GICs in this way means adhering to RRSP tax and contribution rules.

About the Authors

Clay Jarvis

Clay Jarvis is NerdWallet’s mortgage and real estate expert in Canada. Thus far, his entire professional writing career has revolved around real estate. Prior to joining NerdWallet, he was the…

Hannah Logan

Hannah Logan is a freelance writer and blogger who specializes in personal finance and travel. You can follow her personal travel blog EatSleepBreatheTravel.com or find her on Instagram @hannahlogan21.