How are you saving for your children's education (or your grandchildren's)?
The average cost of University tuition in Canada is $7,437 in 2016-17. It tripled in the last 20 years and it's expected to triple again in the next 20 (see sources below). If you want your kids to go to school like you did, how will you pay for it? A Registered Education Savings Plan from Capital Estate Planning can help.
An RESP features tax sheltered investment growth to provide for post secondary education costs.
You can invest in a diverse selection of investment funds through major investment fund companies -- and if one child decides not to use it, you can even transfer the funds to a different family member for complete flexibility.
Unlike an RRSP, you don't get to deduct the payments that you make to the plan. But they grow tax sheltered -- so you don't pay tax on the interest while it's in the plan. When it comes time to take it out, it's taken out in the student's name, so they'll likely pay little to no tax on it.
Both you and your spouse can contribute to this plan, and you can even take the money out yourselves if it turns out that your kids aren't going to post-secondary school. They can be used by anyone enrolled in full time study at a post secondary institution in Canada (or at a specified institution abroad). He or she can draw on the funds to defray such education-related costs as tuition, books, travel, food or accommodation.
Arguably the most compelling part of the Registered Education Savings Plan (RESP), though, is the Canada Education Savings Grant. With this, the Federal Government will match up to 20% of your contribution, with an annual contribution limit of $2,500. If you've contributed less than your maximum ($50,000), then you can contribute up to $5,000 per year. The net result: you could get up to $7,200 in free grants from the Federal Government (the maximum allowed)!
Sources:
Average cost of Canadian University tuition calculation from Statistics Canada (last modified 2017).
Potential tuition changes RESP Savings Calculator (last modified 2018).
Contact us today to see how we can help you prepare for your children's education!
Mutual Funds are distributed through Desjardins Financial Security Investments Inc. (DFS Investments)
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