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Locked-In Retirement Account (LIRA)
Give your pension a low-fee home, so it keeps working hard long after you leave your job.
Put your pension to work
Grow without limits
Even though you can’t contribute to a LIRA, that doesn’t mean your money has to stay stagnant. Your funds can keep growing and growing until retirement – no need to worry about minimums or maximums.
Safeguard your savings
Your LIRA exists to hold your pension after leaving a job. That money can’t be withdrawn until you retire, making it a great way to keep on track for life after work.
Hold your money tax-free
Keeping money in a LIRA won’t have any tax implications today. Those funds are only taxed upon withdrawal, and at a lower rate.
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Get to know the LIRA
Locked-in
LIRAs stay true to their name: they’re 100% locked-in, meaning you cannot contribute to them once you leave your employer.
Access at retirement
Once you've officially retired, you'll be able to access the funds in your LIRA. That can be as young as 55, and you must convert it to a LIF by December 31 the year you turn 71.
Convert to a LIF
A LIF (Life Income Fund) is how you’ll access all of the money held in your LIRA once you’re retired. The government releases the annual minimum and maximum withdrawal rates each year on January 1.
How do withdrawals work?
There are a few circumstances where you’re allowed to withdraw early, but they’re rare.
Things like decreased life expectancy, loss of income, or becoming a non-resident are the most common.
But for the most part, withdrawals are limited to when you retire.
Ways to invest with a LIRA
Have your portfolio tailored to your goals
With Managed investing, we do the heavy lifting. Tell us your goals and timeline for your LIRA, and we’ll build you a custom portfolio with a wide range of assets across the market.
Independently trade stocks and ETFs
A Self-directed investing account gives you total control over where your money is invested. Buy and sell over 14,000 stocks and ETFs commission-free, automate your investments, and start trading right away with up to $250,000 in instant deposits.
What’s the difference between a LIRA and an RRSP?
Both of these accounts are built for retirement, but with some differences. The good news is: you don’t need to choose between one or the other.
Attribute | LIRA | RRSP |
|---|---|---|
| Helps you save for | Retirement | Retirement |
| Eligibility | 18-71 years old | 18-71 years old |
| Annual contribution limit | $0 (No contributions) | 18% of previous year's income, up to $32,490 |
| Tax impact on contributions | None | Deducted from taxable income |
| Tax impact on withdrawals | Taxed as retirement income | Taxed as income (with some exceptions) |
| Contribution deadline | None (No contributions) | 60 days after December 31 |
| Government benefits | No impact on other benefits | Withdrawals may impact other government benefits based on income |
| Withdrawal stipulations | Must withdraw to LIF before 71 | Must withdraw to RRIF at 71 |
We make saving for retirement simple
Reach out to us for support
Questions about your LIRA? Our team is here to help — just get in touch.
Bring all of your savings to one place
Transfer your LIRA to Wealthsimple, and you can help it grow alongside the rest of your money. Plus, get all of the perks of consolidating your wealth with us.
Keep more of your returns
Whether you’re picking your own stocks or letting us manage the investing, you won’t need to worry about high fees eating into your returns.
Video showing the Wealthsimple app's account transfer process.
Move your money to Wealthsimple, we'll give you back the transfer fees
We'll automatically reimburse the transfer-out fees charged by your brokerage when you move at least $25,000 to us. Conditions apply.
Even more ways to grow your wealth
Make your golden years even brighter
Transfer your LIRA without any paperwork or visits to a bank, and continue saving for retirement today.