The last place you go for money to pay debts or an emergency expense should be your registered retirement savings plan. You’re going to need that money to live on after you retire.
But the results of Bank of Montreal’s latest annual RRSP study found that 34 per cent of RRSP-holders had withdrawn money before the age of 71. At the end of the year you turn 71, you have to convert an RRSP into a registered retirement income fund, or RRIF.
There are normal reasons to withdraw money from an RRSP before 71, including early retirement. Also, you can withdraw up to $25,000 from an RRSP to buy a first home. But the BMO numbers clearly show that RRSPs are often being used for emergency purposes or debt repayment.
The good news here is that BMO’s numbers show a 6 per cent year-over-year decrease in the number of people who have taken money from an RRSP. The bad news is that the average amount withdrawn jumped 23 per cent to $25,779. Worse, 59 per cent of those who made withdrawals either don’t know when they will repay the money or do not expect to do so.
Robert Armstrong, vice-president of multi asset solutions at BMO Global Asset Management, linked the rise in RRSP withdrawals to Canadians getting serious about debt repayment. “As interest rates start to slowly increase, they’re understanding now that their monthly payments for various item are starting to tick higher,” he said.
BMO’s survey results found that 20 per cent of people withdrawing money from an RRSP used it for paying off debts. Another 24 per cent used the money for living expenses, and 15 per cent used it for emergencies. Twenty-eight per cent of people withdrawing money from an RRSP used it to buy a home, while 18 per cent used it for early retirement.
Mr. Armstrong’s advice if you need money and don’t have an emergency fund: “I would always like people to touch their TFSA [tax-free savings account] first, before they start touching their RRSP.”
When you pull money out of an RRSP, you lose that contribution room. You can replace what you withdrew, but this money would count against future contribution room. With a TFSA, you can re-contribute money you’ve withdrawn as long as you follow the rules. Also, RRSP withdrawals are taxed, while TFSA withdrawals are not. Finally, you lose out on long-term compounding when you take money out of an RRSP well before you retire.
Mr. Armstrong sees the RRSP withdrawal numbers as evidence that people don’t have the cash resources to cover higher debt costs or emergencies with savings. “I think we’re living in a society that is house-rich and cash poor,” he said. “A lot of people have not saved enough money on the side.”
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Rob’s personal finance reading list…
All about buying headphones
The popularity of smartphones and tablets has vastly increased the number of people buying headphones. Here’s some need-to-know information on headphones from a woman who has tested 1,000 of them.
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A personal finance blogger talks about how she and her spouse are combining their finances after marriage. This couple has a joint spreadsheet as well as a joint chequing account.
Six friends, one house
Six friends pooled their money to buy a million-dollar home in Toronto. This video tells their story. Kudos to them for finding a solution to expensive housing that works for them. I’d love to see a follow-up in a few years to see how this works out.
How to make friends as an adult
This one’s for people who downsize to a new neighborhood or city in retirement. Some people do this to unlock equity built up in their family homes over the years, and others do it to be nearer to their children
Today’s financial tool/app
Here’s an infographic that covers a too-often overlooked aspect of personal finance – estate planning. You do have a will, don’t you?
What I’ve been writing about
– House prices have weakened. Is now the time for first-time buyers to get into the market?
– This mindset may prevent you from having a financially comfortable retirement (for Globe Unlimited subscribers)
– How a thrifty investor could pay less for a mutual fund than an ETF (for Globe Unlimited subscribers)
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Rob Carrick