Individual Pension Plans

Overview

An Individual Pension Plan (IPP) is a pension plan established for a single individual who is interested in maximizing his or her tax-assisted retirement savings. An IPP may allow a small business owner, owner-manager or senior executive to benefit from the retirement savings and tax deferral advantages of a registered pension plan. A typical IPP provides what is called a defined benefit; the amount of pension is determined at retirement by reference to a formula. This is different from an RRSP or a defined contribution pension plan, where only the account balance itself is available to provide benefits at retirement.

Pension plans registered under the Income Tax Act permit the deferral of taxation on employee compensation. Employer contributions are tax deductible, and are not subject to employee withholding taxes. Employee contributions are also tax deductible. Investments earnings on these contributions grow tax-free until they are used to pay benefits under the plan.

Wile flexible in terms of its settlement options, the basic purpose of an IPP is to provide a retirement pension to the plan participant. In the right circumstances, an IPP permits much larger tax deductible contributions than an RRSP. An IPP also normally offer the plan member a greater degree of creditor protection than an RRSP. With an IPP, a member will no longer be able to contribute to an RRSP in future years.

Features

An IPP is a registered defined benefit pension plan typically established for the benefit of a single participant. A defined benefit pension plan is designed to provide a lifetime pension starting at a certain age. The amount of the pension is determined by formula, and the contribution equals the cost of providing that pension (as calculated by an actuary).

If the same or a related company employs the spouse, the spouse may be added to the IPP.

Suitable candidates for an IPP are: small business owners, professionals (e.g. doctors, lawyers, dentists, and accountants) in provinces where they are allowed to incorporate, and executives with the support of their company’s management.

To qualify, the IPP plan member must be an employee receiving T4 income, and be serious about planning for retirement. The company sponsor must have the financial resources to fund the IPP on an ongoing basis.

Canada Revenue Agency requires a transfer from the plan member's RRSP to offset the contribution generated for past service (i.e. years 1991 to present). The Qualifying Transfer is determined by calculating the Pension Adjustment that would have been applied in each year of past service assuming that the individual had been in a defined benefit pension plan during those years. The total of the Pension Adjustments for those years less $8,000 and any unused RRSP contribution room equals the Qualifying Transfer.

The former $8,000 RRSP over contribution is still available under an IPP and is deductible immediately.

Contributions to an IPP are tax deductible to the employer.

Expenses of the IPP (including actuarial consulting fees, interest on funds borrowed for contributions, and investment related fees) are tax deductible when paid directly by the company sponsor.

Contributions made within 120 days of the end of the fiscal year are deductible within that fiscal year.

The IPP assets may be invested by a trust company, under a Trusteed self-directed vehicle, or under a life insurance company contract.

Generally, if an investment is allowed under an RRSP, it is acceptable for an IPP. There is a 10% investment concentration limit designed to ensure broad diversification of plan assets.

Except in certain provinces, IPP assets are locked-in and may not be withdrawn in cash until retirement.

Same Termination, Retirement and Death Benefits as other Defined Benefit Plans.

Benefits

For individuals over age 40, an IPP allows for higher tax deductible contributions than an RRSP

Assets within an IPP can be protected from creditors

In most cases, significant lump-sum past service contributions can be made when first establishing an IPP

Higher tax deductible ongoing contributions …the older the member, the greater the contribution

IPP contributions may be topped up if investment returns are insufficient

Tax-deductible lump sum contributions at the time of actual retirement are possible in most circumstances

Allows small business owners to defer taxes and plan for retirement.