A beautiful wooden mansion – At first glance, it looks complex. But with the help of your friends at GBL, it’s easy-peasy.
IPP Setup for Advisors: Simple & Turnkey with GBL
If you’ve heard that Individual Pension Plans (IPPs) are complex, you’re not alone. Many advisors picture heavy paperwork, actuarial math, and regulatory hoops. In practice, when you partner with experts like GBL, the IPP setup is straightforward; and you keep the client relationship while we handle the technical lift.
At GBL, our role is to make IPPs easy for you and valuable for your clients: We provide the actuarial work, filings, documents, and ongoing administration so you can stay focused on advice and investments. That’s it.
Your client will thank you for taking the plunge into the world of IPPs, as they will be able to enjoy the following benefits:
Higher Contribution Limits – Than with traditional retirement savings vehicles such as the RRSP, including current service, past service (a lump sum top-up for previous years), and several top-up opportunities
Creditor Protection – IPP assets are held in trust off the corporate books
Corporate Tax Deductions – For all contributions, top ups, and fees – Including advisor fees and GBL’s fees (which typically makes the annual cost of the IPP revenue-neutral)
Tax-Free Intergenerational Transfer – In some cases, where the IPP is set up for a family business
Let’s jump into the requirements of setting up an IPP.
What GBL Does (so you don’t have to)
Client and advisor education: To Determine if the IPP is the right fit at the right time. This includes a complimentary illustration so you can dive into the numbers. We’ll walk you through each step of the process.
Actuarial expertise from day one: An actuary prepares the initial valuation that sets funding requirements and supports a lifetime pension income stream. GBL completes the initial valuation and the triennial (every 3 years) valuations going forward.
Plan documents & registrations: GBL drafts the plan text and trust documents and manage the federal and provincial registrations end-to-end.
Administration & compliance: We oversee required filings, maintain records, coordinate with payroll and the corporation’s accountant, and provide ongoing support to you and your client.
Single point of contact: You’re assigned a dedicated contact who knows your book and answers day-to-day questions fast.
How Setup Works (in 5 advisor-friendly steps)
Quick fact-find → IPP Illustration You share basic inputs (e.g., client age, T4 income, RRSP information). We prepare a clear, client-ready IPP quote with contribution ranges and strategy notes.
Advisor + client meeting A senior GBL consultant joins you to present the IPP quote, align on suitability, and explain how IPP funding integrates with the client’s compensation (salary/dividends) and overall wealth plan.
Documents & registrations We produce the legal documents, establish the IPP trust, and complete required federal/provincial registrations. You open the investment account for the trust with the client’s preferred institution. We provide everything needed.
Funding & implementation The initial actuarial valuation sets funding. We coordinate with payroll/accounting, provide a contribution schedule, and ensure cash flows are documented and compliant.
Ongoing service (set it and forget it) GBL delivers the required triennial valuations, annual administration, and all filings. You and your client receive proactive reminders, simple checklists, and plain-language summaries.
Why Advisors Choose GBL
Turnkey process: We own the complexity – Handling all of the actuarial and regulatory/CRA requirements
Advisor-first support: A real person you can call; we join client meetings on request.
You manage the investments: GBL doesn’t manage money, so you your client’s assets stay with you.
Custodian-agnostic: We work with your preferred platform to open the IPP
Continuity: The same team services the plan, year after year.
What We Need From You To Get Started on a Quote (it’s short)
Meeting availability to review the illustration with the client
That’s it. GBL handles the rest.
IPP Setup for Advisors: Simple & Turnkey with GBL
GBL believes that IPPs don’t have to be complicated. With us as your partner, setup is clear, fast, and compliant, and your client gains a powerful, tax-efficient retirement vehicle while you stay focused on advice and (sticky) portfolio management.
Tony Manoharan is GBL’s Inside Sales Manager and an expert on IPPs. He handles inquiries across Eastern Canada (ON-NL).
Founded in 1995,GBL is a leading provider of retirement, health, and cross-border solutions for business owners across Canada, and corporate pension administration and consulting. With offices in Calgary and Toronto, we have served 7,000+ clients, have 3,000+ Financial/Investment Advisors in our network, actively manage 2,000+ IPPs and RCAs, and have created 1,000+ HBPs and 3,000+ FMVs. We’re known for our industry leading client service and administration, as well as our top-notch actuarial group. Contact us today at info@gblinc.ca or 403.249.1820 and follow us to learn how we can help Build Your Future. www.gblinc.ca
