Tools and calculators
Life insurance calculator - In just 2 minutes, calculate how much life insurance you may need.
Critical illness insurance calculator - Calculate what it would cost if you became seriously ill and see how insurance can help.
Retirement savings calculator - Find out how much you will need to save for retirement and if you're on track to meet your retirement savings goal.
CPP/QPP calculator - Find out what factors can affect your CPP/QPP payments, and estimate your monthly pension income.
RRSP vs. Mortgage calculator - Putting money in your RRSP is a great way to save for retirement. But you may gain more in the long run by paying down your mortgage first. Find out which strategy is right for you.
Registered savings plans
Registered savings plans provide Canadians with a tax advantaged account to save for their education, retirement or another long-term goal.
RRSP (Registered retirement savings plan)
A type of savings account specially designed to help Canadians save for their retirement.
It comes with tax advantages that let you save and grow your money now, while deducting your RRSP contributions from your current tax bill.
It comes with tax advantages that let you save and grow your money now, while deducting your RRSP contributions from your current tax bill.
TFSA (Tax-free savings account)
A tax-free savings account (TFSA) is a registered investment account that’s designed to help Canadians save money.
Any income earned within a TFSA, including interest, dividends and capital gains is tax-free.
Any income earned within a TFSA, including interest, dividends and capital gains is tax-free.
RESPs (Registered education savings plan)†
A tax-deferred account to help you save for a child’s or grandchild’s post-secondary education. Anyone can open a RESP and contribute money at any time, up to a lifetime total of $50,000 per child. Contributions aren’t tax deductible, but any investment income earned within the plan will be taxed only when it’s withdrawn.
LIRA (Locked-in retirement account)
A registered account designed to hold and invest pension assets that you and your former employers contributed to. Investments within the LIRA grow tax-deferred – this means you won’t have to pay taxes on investment growth until you withdraw funds.
Looking at retirement
Everyone’s dream retirement will look a little different. That’s why it’s important to make a custom retirement plan.
RRSP (Registered retirement savings plan)
A type of savings account specially designed to help Canadians save for their retirement.
It comes with tax advantages that let you save and grow your money now, while deducting your RRSP contributions from your current tax bill.
It comes with tax advantages that let you save and grow your money now, while deducting your RRSP contributions from your current tax bill.
TFSA (Tax-free savings account)
A tax-free savings account (TFSA) is a registered investment account that’s designed to help Canadians save money.
Any income earned within a TFSA, including interest, dividends and capital gains is tax-free.
Any income earned within a TFSA, including interest, dividends and capital gains is tax-free.
RRIF (Registered retirement income fund)
An investment account that pays you income during retirement. You can transfer tax-sheltered funds from registered Canadian accounts such as RRSPs, registered pension plans and other RRIFs into a RRIF.
GICs (Guaranteed investment product)**
Designed for people who want to protect their principal and earn a guaranteed rate of return.
Because of their many features, guaranteed interest products are an important component of both registered and non-registered savings plans – as well as retirement income plans.
Because of their many features, guaranteed interest products are an important component of both registered and non-registered savings plans – as well as retirement income plans.
LIF (Life income fund)
A registered account designed to pay you income from your locked-in pension assets. These assets can’t be taken out all at once, since a LIF is meant to provide retirement income throughout your life.
Mutual funds†
A mutual fund is a pool of money and investments (e.g. stocks, bonds and other types of investments) that are managed by a professional fund manager.
Segregated funds
Segregated fund contracts are a popular investment option, available only from life insurance companies. Similar to mutual funds, segregated funds are large pools of money invested in stocks, bonds or other securities. These contracts have higher fees than mutual funds because they also offer guarantees and some of the additional benefits of a life insurance contract.
Annuity products
An annuity protects you from the risk of outliving your money and helps to cover basic expenses in retirement. In exchange for a lump-sum premium, an insurance company – like Sun Life – guarantees to pay you an income for life or as long as the annuity contract specifies. Your income will be secure from both market and interest rate risks – and, if you buy your annuity with non-registered savings, you could also benefit from tax savings.
Personal and family health insurance
A policy or contract that gives you, the insured person, financial coverage to help pay for health-care needs. Depending on your policy, the insurance company pays for your covered health-care expenses. You pay the insurance company a monthly premium or fee.
LIRA (Locked-in retirement account)
A registered account designed to hold and invest pension assets that you and your former employers contributed to. Investments within the LIRA grow tax-deferred – this means you won’t have to pay taxes on investment growth until you withdraw funds.
Long term care insurance
Long term care insurance from Sun Life provides an income-style benefit if you become unable to care for yourself due to aging, a serious accident, severe illness or deteriorated mental abilities.
Permanent Life Insurance
A type of life insurance policy that provides you with lifelong coverage to protect your loved ones. This coverage never expires, no matter your age or if your health changes. Permanent life insurance provides a death benefit, which is a tax-free payment your beneficiaries will get after you die.
Business owners
Spend more time running your business and less time worrying about your business. A strong strategy can get you there.
Business owner insurance
Whether you’re starting out or looking for ways to grow your business, business owner insurance can help you protect yourself, your partners and employees and your family.
Business Benefits & Savings
The needs of small businesses are as unique as the people running them. That’s why we’ve created a variety of affordable, customizable benefits and savings plans with the features that matter most to businesses.
RRSPs for Business Owners
Your business may produce surplus above what is needed for your business or personal lifestyle. You can either retain in the corporation or remove and invest personally. Maximizing your RRSPs makes sense for most business owners given a sufficient time horizon.
TFSAs for Business Owners
Your corporation may produce surplus above what is needed for your business or personal lifestyle. If you want to save the surplus for future use TFSA’s may be a good solution, depending on your time horizon and current and future tax brackets.
†Mutual funds distributed through Sun Life Financial Investment Services (Canada) Inc.
**Sun Life Financial Trust Inc. is the issuer of Sun GIC Max and Guaranteed Investment Certificates. Sun Life Financial Trust Inc. is a member of Canada Deposit Insurance Corporation (CDIC). An Insurance GIC is an accumulation annuity issued by Sun Life Assurance Company of Canada.
Have questions?
Here to help answer your questions, provide clarity about products and get you started on the road to achieving your goals.
We are contracted with Sun Life Financial Distributors (Canada) Inc., a member of Sun Life group of companies. Mutual funds distributed by Sun Life Financial Investment Services (Canada) Inc.