RRIF Withdrawal Calculator

ExampleRRSP balance $500,000 ยท Conversion at 71 ยท 5% return ยท 25-year projection

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๐Ÿ“‰RRIF Minimum Withdrawal CalculatorCRA Prescribed Rates
Year 1: $26,400Total withdrawn: $801,978Lasts: age 95+
RRSP โ†’ RRIF Withdrawal Schedule
๐ŸฆRRIF Details
RRSP / RRIF Balance?
$
Your Age (at start of year)?
yrs
Expected Annual Return?
%
Projection Years?
yrs
๐Ÿ‘ซSpouse's Age Electionโ–ผ
๐Ÿ’ธAdditional Withdrawalโ–ผ
๐ŸงพTax & OAS Clawbackโ–ผ
Year 1 min. rate5.28%
Year 1 withdrawal$26,400
Total withdrawn$801,978
Balance at end$143,211
โœ“ Funds last through age 95
Year 1 Withdrawal
$26,400
5.28% of balance
Total Withdrawn
$801,978
over 25 years
Balance Remaining
$143,211
at period end
Starting Balance
$500,000
converted at 71
๐Ÿ“ˆRRIF Balance Over Time
๐Ÿ’ธAnnual Withdrawals by Year
๐Ÿ“…Year-by-Year Scheduleโ–ผ
๐Ÿ“‹RRIF Rules
โ–ธMandatory conversion: RRSP must be converted to RRIF by Dec 31 of the year you turn 71.
โ–ธMinimum withdrawal: set by CRA each year based on your age. Starts at 5.28% at age 71.
โ–ธFully taxable: all withdrawals count as regular income. May trigger OAS clawback above $93,454.
โ–ธSpouse's age election: you can elect to use a younger spouse's age when setting up the RRIF - lower minimums = slower depletion.
โ–ธEarly conversion: you can convert before 71 - useful for RRSP meltdown before CPP/OAS starts.
โ–ธNo maximum: you can always withdraw more than the minimum - useful for income-smoothing.
CRA โ€“ RRIF overview โ†—
โš ๏ธRRIF & OAS Clawbackโ–ฒ
โ–ธEvery dollar withdrawn from your RRIF counts as taxable income - including the mandatory minimum.
โ–ธIf total income exceeds $93,454 (2025 threshold), OAS is clawed back at 15ยข per $1 over the limit.
โ–ธStrategy: enter your other income (CPP + OAS + pension) above to see per-year clawback impact.
Calculate your OAS clawback โ†’
๐Ÿ“ŠCRA Minimum Rates - All Agesโ–ผ
๐Ÿ”—Retirement Calculatorsโ–ผ

What's Next?

CRA prescribed RRIF minimum rates (post-1992 RRIFs). Must convert RRSP to RRIF by Dec 31 of the year you turn 71. All withdrawals are taxable income. OAS clawback threshold: $93,454 (2025). Tax estimates use a flat marginal rate - actual tax depends on all income sources and credits. Consult a financial advisor. Not financial advice.

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About this calculator

Updated April 2026

You must close your RRSP and convert it to a RRIF (or annuity) by December 31 of the year you turn 71, with mandatory minimum withdrawals starting the following year. This calculator projects your RRIF balance over a 30-year retirement, shows required minimums by age, and models longer-life scenarios so you don't run out of money in your 90s.

What you can do with it

  • Project your RRIF balance from age 72 through 95 at your chosen return rate.
  • Compare using your age vs your younger spouse's age to lower minimums.
  • Model a 'melt-down' strategy - drawing RRSP before 71 at a lower bracket.
  • See the tax cost of minimum RRIF withdrawals combined with CPP and OAS.

How the math works

Minimum withdrawal percentages are set by CRA and begin at 5.28% at age 71 (if converted at 71) and rise each year, reaching 20% at age 95+. The calculator compounds the remaining balance at your chosen return rate, subtracts the minimum each year, and taxes withdrawals at your marginal rate (with optional OAS clawback overlay).

Canadian context - 2026

Converting to RRIF at 65 instead of 71 can reduce your minimum withdrawal rate (4.00% vs 5.28%) and let you use the $2,000 pension income credit. Using your spouse's age if they're younger further lowers your minimum - a 72-year-old with a 67-year-old spouse has a minimum of 4.35%, not 5.40%.

Frequently asked questions

When must I convert my RRSP to a RRIF?

You must close your RRSP and convert to a RRIF (or purchase an annuity) by December 31 of the year you turn 71. You can convert earlier voluntarily. RRIF withdrawals are fully taxable as income in the year received.

What is the RRIF minimum withdrawal percentage?

The minimum withdrawal percentage is based on your age (or your younger spouse's age if you elect that). It starts at about 5.28% at age 71 and rises each year, reaching 20% at age 95+. There is no maximum. Minimums are set by CRA regulation and were temporarily reduced in 2020.

How can I minimize tax on RRIF withdrawals?

Strategies include: (1) using your younger spouse's age to lower minimums; (2) making RRIF withdrawals before 71 (melt-down strategy) to reduce future mandatory amounts; (3) splitting up to 50% of eligible pension income with a spouse after age 65; (4) coordinating RRIF income with OAS clawback and CPP timing.

Long-form explainers that pair with this calculator.