Registered Education Savings Plans (RESP) : A Quick Overview

---

A Registered Education Savings Plan (RESP) is a tax-advantaged investment account available to Canadian residents designed to help parents and others save for a child's post-secondary education. Here's a simplified explanation of RESP:

Purpose:

The primary purpose of an RESP is to save and invest money for a child's future education expenses, such as tuition, books, and living expenses, in a tax-efficient manner.

Contributors:

Parents, guardians, family members, and friends can contribute to an RESP on behalf of a beneficiary (the child) to help fund their education. Contributions can be made by anyone, regardless of their relationship to the beneficiary.

Government Grants:

One of the key benefits of an RESP is that the Canadian government provides grants to encourage savings for education. The most common grant is the Canada Education Savings Grant (CESG), which matches a portion of contributions made to the RESP, up to certain limits. There are also additional grants available for lower-income families, such as the Canada Learning Bond (CLB).

Tax-Deferred Growth:

Investments held within an RESP grow tax-deferred, meaning that investors do not pay taxes on the investment income earned within the account until funds are withdrawn. This allows savings to grow more quickly over time compared to non-registered investment accounts.

Withdrawals:

Funds withdrawn from an RESP can be used to pay for the beneficiary's post-secondary education expenses, including tuition, books, and living expenses. Withdrawals consist of both contributions and investment income. While contributions can be withdrawn tax-free, investment income is taxed in the hands of the beneficiary, typically at a lower tax rate since students often have little to no income during their post-secondary studies.

Types of RESP:

There are two main types of RESPs: individual plans and family plans. Individual plans are set up for one beneficiary, while family plans can have multiple beneficiaries, such as siblings. Family plans offer flexibility in distributing funds among multiple beneficiaries, making them suitable for families with more than one child.

Contribution Limits:

There are no annual contribution limits for RESPs, but there is a lifetime contribution limit of $50,000 per beneficiary. Contributions can continue to be made until the beneficiary reaches the age of 31.

Unused Grants and Contributions:

If the beneficiary does not pursue post-secondary education, or if there are funds remaining in the RESP after they complete their studies, contributions can be returned to the subscriber (the person who opened the RESP). Government grants and investment income earned on those grants may be subject to specific rules and may need to be repaid or taxed.

In summary, an RESP is a tax-advantaged savings vehicle designed to help Canadians save for a child's education. With government grants, tax-deferred growth, and flexible withdrawal options, RESPs are a valuable tool for families planning for their children's future educational expenses.