RESP

 iA Private Wealth / RESP

Registered Education Savings Plan

In today’s competitive job market, a college or university degree is more important than ever. But with the rising cost of post-secondary education, paying for it can be a challenge.
A Registered Education Savings Plan (RESP) enables you to make contributions now toward your child’s future education.

Tax-sheltered savings

While contributions to an RESP account are not tax-deductible as they are with an RRSP, contributions grow tax-sheltered while in the account and the income earned is not taxable until paid out to the beneficiary.

Contribution limit

Since 2007, there has been no annual contribution limit. There is, however, a lifetime maximum of $50,000 in contributions to the beneficiary and the additional Canada Education Savings Grant is only eligible on the first $2,500 contributed each year.

Canada Education Savings Grant

As an added incentive, every RESP beneficiary is eligible to receive a grant of up to 20% of the first $2,500 contributed annually ($500) until the beneficiary turns seventeen. If less than $2,500 is contributed in any given year, the unused Canada Education Savings Grant (CESG) room can be carried forward, up to a maximum of $1,000 granted annually. There is a lifetime maximum for CESG contributions of $7,200 per beneficiary.

More education savings incentives

In addition to the benefits of an RESP, there are several more ways to maximize savings for your child’s education:

FAQ5

Five questions and answers about RESPs

1. How many RESPs can I have?

There is no limit to the number of plans from different institutions your child can have, but there is still a lifetime contribution limit of $50,000 per beneficiary for all of the plans combined.

2. How does my child use RESP funds?

As many contributions as you like can be withdrawn to pay for your child’s qualifying post-secondary education program. Withdrawals from the Canada Education Savings Grant (and other grants) received or interest earned is called an Education Assistance Payment and can be used to pay for tuition, books or transportation.

3. Can I transfer an RESP to another child?

Yes. If, for example, one child decides not to attend university, you may change the beneficiary named on the RESP. Or you can simply add the child to an existing RESP family plan.

4. What happens to unused RESP funds?

RESPs mature after 35 years and any unused contributions are returned tax-free to the contributor. Any income from the contributions can be transferred up to $50,000 into the contributor’s (or spouse’s) RRSP or taxed at the marginal rate plus a 20% surtax. Any unused Canada Education Savings Grant funds must be repaid to the government.

5. Can I withdraw RESP funds?

Contributions can be withdrawn tax-free at any time by the contributor, but restrictions may apply on future Canada Education Savings Grant payments.