Short Answer
Yes, in some cases. Once you turn 71, you can no longer hold your own RRSP — you must convert it by December 31 of that year. But if your spouse is younger than 71, you may still contribute to their spousal RRSP using any remaining RRSP contribution room you have.
The Two Rules That Govern This Strategy
| Rule | What it means |
|---|---|
| Own RRSP must close at 71 | Your RRSP must be converted to a RRIF, annuity, or lump-sum withdrawal by December 31 of the year you turn 71 |
| Spousal RRSP possible beyond 71 | You can contribute to a spousal RRSP as long as you have contribution room AND your spouse (the annuitant) is under 71 by December 31 |
This creates a planning window for couples with an age difference. If you are 73 and your spouse is 68, you may still contribute to their spousal RRSP — provided you have unused room.
Where RRSP Room Comes From After 71
RRSP contribution room is 18% of prior-year net earned income, up to the annual maximum. After 71, you can still generate RRSP room if you have:
- Employment income
- Self-employment income
- Net rental income
RRSP room does not come from:
- CPP or OAS
- RRIF withdrawals
- Investment income
- Pension payments
If you still earn qualifying income after 71 (many people do through consulting, rental properties, or part-time work), CRA will calculate room based on that income for the following year. That room can only be used for a spousal RRSP if your spouse qualifies as the annuitant.
Contribution Room Example
| Scenario | Room available | Spousal RRSP contribution allowed? |
|---|---|---|
| Age 73, spouse age 66, $25,000 rental income earned last year | ~$4,500 of new room | Yes |
| Age 74, spouse age 70, no earned income | Unused carryforward room only | Yes, until spouse turns 71 |
| Age 75, spouse turned 72 last year | Any remaining room | No — spouse is past the age limit |
Why This Strategy Makes Sense
Contributing to a spousal RRSP after age 71 serves specific retirement income-splitting goals:
1. Equalizing retirement income If you have significantly more registered income than your spouse, their withdrawals from the spousal RRSP may be taxed at a lower marginal rate, reducing your household’s combined tax bill.
2. Using up contribution room that would otherwise be wasted Once the spousal RRSP annuitant also turns 71, any remaining contributor room that has not been used is permanently gone. If your spouse is younger, this is one of your last opportunities to deploy unused room.
3. Tax deduction in a year with income The contributor claims the deduction. If you are 72 and still earning consulting income, contributing to a spousal RRSP lets you deduct that amount against your income — reducing taxes now while shifting future income to a lower-bracket spouse.
The Attribution Rule: Get the Timing Right
The spousal RRSP attribution rule is a CRA anti-avoidance measure. If your spouse withdraws from their spousal RRSP in the year of a contribution or within the two following calendar years, the withdrawal is attributed back to you and taxed as your income.
| Year of contribution | Earliest year withdrawal is taxed to spouse, not contributor |
|---|---|
| 2024 | 2027 (three full calendar years after) |
| 2025 | 2028 |
| 2026 | 2029 |
Example: You contribute $10,000 to your spouse’s spousal RRSP in March 2025. Your spouse withdraws $10,000 in December 2026. Because the withdrawal occurred in the second calendar year after the contribution, the $10,000 is attributed back to you and taxed in your hands — not your spouse’s.
Wait three full calendar years from the last contribution before your spouse withdraws for the attribution rule to be clear.
RRIF Minimums Start at 71 or 72
Once your RRSP converts to a RRIF, you must take minimum withdrawals each year. The RRIF minimum begins at approximately 5.28% of the account value (if you turn 71 in that year) and increases annually with age.
This means your taxable income from the RRIF may rise over time — making it more valuable to have a spousal RRSP on your spouse’s side to absorb future withdrawals at a lower rate.
Practical Steps for Implementing This Strategy
- Check your most recent CRA Notice of Assessment for available RRSP room.
- Confirm your spouse’s date of birth and whether they are under 71 by December 31 of the contribution year.
- Open a spousal RRSP account at your institution if one is not already in place.
- Make contributions before the RRSP deadline (60 days after December 31, typically around March 1).
- Claim the deduction on your tax return for the contribution year.
- Do not plan for your spouse to withdraw from the spousal RRSP within three calendar years of the last contribution.
Bottom Line
After age 71, direct contributions to your own RRSP stop. But contributing to a younger spouse’s spousal RRSP remains possible as long as you have remaining contribution room and your spouse has not yet reached 71. It is a useful income-splitting tool — especially valuable in the transition years before both spouses are fully into their RRIF drawdown phase.