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Retirement Compensation (RCA)

Retirement Compensation (RCA)

for Advisors

What is an RCA?

A Retirement Compensation Arrangement (RCA) represents the highest level of retirement program available in Canada. Defined under section 248(1) of the Income Tax Act, an RCA allows a company to make tax-deductible contributions on behalf of key employees for purposes of retirement to the maximum level allowable.

Eligibility

An RCA is ideally suited for high-income earners ($150,000+) such as business owners, athletes, executives, and incorporated professionals who wish to sustain their standard of living into retirement. The flexibility of the RCA allows it to be adapted to many business and tax strategies. The RCA requires a sponsoring company in order to set it up.

How an RCA works

A company establishes an RCA to provide retirement benefits for its employees. Deductible contributions are made from the company into the RCA and are held in trust for the beneficiaries.


Allocation of Contributions

Each year the company may choose to make contributions on behalf of the members of the plan, who may also be required to contribute to the RCA. 50% of these contributions are made to an RCA Trust investment account. The other 50% is remitted to a refundable tax account (RTA) with Canada Revenue Agency (CRA). Half of net realized investment income is remitted to the RTA on an annual basis. Similarly, the investment account can recover half of net losses to the extent refundable tax has been remitted on realized gains in prior years.

Investment Account

The investment account is managed by plan trustees and directed by the company or the principal plan member. There are few investment rules or restrictions, however, it is recommended that the investments be of a non-distributing nature, as 50% of all dividends, realized capital gains and interest income less expenses must be remitted annually to the RTA.

Withdrawals

Upon retirement or a change of employment status the beneficiary will draw from the assets of the RCA Trust. An amount equal to 50% of the distribution from the investment account will be refunded to the investment account from the RTA account after the T3-RCA Tax Return has been completed at the calendar year-end. Withdrawals are flexible and not subject to any restrictions on maximum or minimums. They are however, subject to withholding tax at a rate of 30% if located in Canada. Another benefit at withdrawal is that money contributed at today’s tax rates may be withdrawn in the future at lower rates. This will be dependent on current rates having decreased or the beneficiary moving to a lower tax jurisdiction in Canada, or outside Canada in countries such as the United States or Australia where tax treaties result in lower withholding rates.

No required retirement date

Provided there is a change of employment status the member of the RCA may begin withdrawals from their RCA at any age they wish. By the same token, there is no requirement to begin withdrawals at age 71, such as applies to Registered Plans. The assets of the RCA may remain in the Trust Fund throughout the lifetime of the member and may subsequently be used for the benefit of spouses and beneficiaries.

Key Takeaways

  • Watch for Salary Deferral Arrangement (SDA) when structuring member’s benefits.
  • As addressed in Section 248(1) of the Income Tax Act as long as the contributions are reasonable, large tax-deductible contributions may be deposited into an RCA resulting in substantial tax relief to the company.
  • To ensure reasonableness GBL certifies every RCA with an actuarial certificate. This calculation is based upon the member’s best three years’ T4 earnings and period of service.

Setup Process

  • Step 1
    Request a Personalized Quote

    Download a PDF of our questionnaire. Your GBL representative will prepare a custom RCA quote at no cost within 1-2 business days.

  • Step 2
    Consultation

    Upon receipt of your RCA quote, please contact your GBL representative who is available for consultation to answer any questions that may arise.

  • Step 3
    Setting up the RCA

    Once your client decides to set up an RCA, you & your client will complete our authorization form and return by mail, email or fax to your GBL representative. Please allow 5-10 business days to receive your RCA documentation for signing.

  • Step 4
    Execution

    Your GBL representative is available to assist in the signing process and to answer any last minute questions. Upon final execution of the RCA documents, GBL will submit the plan on behalf of your client to Canada Revenue Agency (CRA).

  • Step 5
    Fund the Plan

    Working with your client, you will identify investment objectives so your client’s assets are invested according their preferences. For details regarding matching contributions to CRA click here, or contact your GBL representative.

     

Other Information

Making contributions to an RCA is not mandatory however; once you decide to contribute there are guidelines as to the timing and reporting of those contributions to CRA. Late or misfiled documents will incur penalties from CRA. These guidelines are simple and accessible in the CRA RCA Guide.

RCA annual filing requirements can be completed by the sponsoring company or, you may elect to have GBL Inc. complete the annual filing for you.

Visit our resources section for additional information, downloads and links. If you have any questions related to this process, contact us.

Frequently Asked Questions

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