Have you ever considered borrowing money to contribute to your Retirement Savings Plan (RSP)? No? Well consider this. Unlike credit card debt, RSP loans are considered “good debt”. Investment loans and mortgages fall into the “good debt” category because they help to increase your net worth. By taking an RSP loan you can invest right away and take advantage of long-term compounding growth, as well as an immediate tax refund. The tax refund that you receive from your RSP contribution is often more than the interest that you will pay on the loan.

Here is how it works. Kwame is 40 years old, with an income of $55,000. He takes an RSP loan to be paid off in one year. The loan requires him to pay $586/month for one year. At a 4% interest rate, Kwame would
have only paid approximately $150 of interest on the loan. For a total cost of approximately $7,035 ($6,885 + $150), Kwame invested $10,000 into his RSP.

 

Loan Amount

$10,000.00

Income tax reduction: (31.15% marginal tax rate)

$3,115.00

Cost of Investment:

$6,885.00

Monthly Payment*:

$586.26

*Assuming a 4% interest rate and that the tax refund was immediately applied to the loan.

 

Fast-forward 25 years to age 65 and assuming an average annual return of 6%, Kwame’s $10,000 contribution that cost $7,035, is now worth $42,919! 

Contact your advisor to find out more about how RSPs can be incorporated into your financial plan. If you do not have an advisor and would like to speak to one, call us at 1.800.668.4095 and our customer service team would be pleased to have an advisor in your area contact you.