Group Registered Retirement Savings Plans (Group RRSPs):
These are not regulated by pension legislation, but
are registered under and
must comply with the Income Tax Act.
Both employer and employee may make contributions.
Employee's contributions are tax deductible.
Employer's contributions to the RRSP are included in
the employee's income, but are then deducted as part of
the RRSP contributions deduction.
Annual contribution limits (including employee and employer contributions)
are the same as regular
RRSPs - see our RRSP/RRIF
page for annual limits.
Employee's plan can be split between employee and spouse, so
that both will have retirement income from the plan.
These plans may allow members to choose their own investments.
When an employee leaves their job prior to retirement,
their group RRSP can be cashed out (but the proceeds will be taxable), or
transferred to another RRSP (tax-free). The RRSP will not be locked-in,
as it would with transfers from a registered pension plan.