What is an Individual Pension Plan (IPP) in Canada?

An Individual Pension Plan (IPP) is a defined benefit (DB) registered pension plan set up for a single member — typically an incorporated business owner who pays themselves a T4 salary. The plan is registered with CRA and the provincial pension authority. Like a large company's DB pension, an IPP provides a defined retirement benefit (typically 2% × years of service × final average salary). The corporation makes actuarially determined contributions to fund the promised benefit, and those contributions are deductible corporate expenses. The key advantage over an RRSP: at higher salary levels and older ages, the actuarially required IPP contribution can significantly exceed the RRSP dollar limit ($32,490 in 2026), allowing much more tax-sheltered retirement savings per year. IPPs are most beneficial for incorporated owners aged 40–65 earning $150,000+ in T4 salary. Setup typically costs $3,000–$10,000 through an actuarial firm.

How do IPP contributions compare to RRSP contributions?

RRSP contribution limit is capped at 18% of prior-year earned income up to $32,490 (2026) — regardless of how old you are or how much you earn above ~$180,000. IPP contributions are actuarially calculated to fund a specific defined benefit — and the required annual contribution grows with age because an older member has fewer remaining years for contributions to compound before retirement. At age 40, IPP contributions may be slightly higher than RRSP limits; by age 55, the difference becomes significant. Example: incorporated owner, age 55, $200,000 salary → RRSP limit: $32,490/year; IPP annual current service contribution: potentially $50,000–$70,000+/year. The difference ($20,000–$40,000+) represents additional tax-deductible corporate contributions beyond what RRSP allows. Over 10 years, this adds $200,000–$400,000 in additional tax-sheltered retirement savings that RRSP alone cannot provide. The exact contribution depends on actuarial calculations using the member's age, salary, years of service, and the provincial pension authority's prescribed assumptions.

What is an actuarial top-up contribution?

When establishing an IPP, you can credit past service — the years you previously earned T4 salary from your corporation (or employment) before setting up the plan. The plan actuary calculates a "past service" lump-sum contribution needed to fund the defined benefit for all those prior years of service, as if the IPP had existed from the start of your career. This past service contribution can be very large — often $200,000–$500,000 or more depending on years of service and salary history. The funding must come from: (1) by transferring your existing RRSP assets (T2033 transfer, reducing your RRSP balance); (2) by additional corporate cash contributions (deductible). This is the "additional" top-up contribution at setup. Ongoing top-up contributions may also be required periodically if investment returns inside the IPP lag the actuarially assumed rate of return (usually 7.5%), creating a funding shortfall the corporation must top up — and can deduct.

When is an IPP better than an RRSP?

An IPP is generally better than an RRSP when: (1) You are age 40 or older (the breakeven age where IPP contributions begin to meaningfully exceed RRSP room); (2) Your T4 salary is at least $150,000–$175,000 per year (needed to make the administration cost worthwhile); (3) Your corporation has profitable retained earnings available to make the contributions; (4) You have significant past service years of T4 employment history that can be credited to increase the initial funding amount; (5) You intend to keep the plan for at least 5–10 years (setup costs require time to recover). IPP is NOT better than RRSP for: owners under 40 (RRSP is simpler and contribution difference is small); owners paying primarily dividends rather than T4 salary (IPP requires T4 employment); very early-stage businesses with limited cash flow; owners who want maximum investment flexibility (IPP has CRA rules on permitted investments).

What are the costs and risks of an IPP?

Setup costs: actuarial firm setup fee $3,000–$10,000; lawyers for trust deed and plan documents $1,500–$3,000; provincial pension authority registration fees $100–$500. Annual ongoing costs: actuarial valuation (required every 3 years minimum) $1,500–$3,000/valuation; investment management fees if held in a separate trustee account; plan administration (minimal if self-directed). Risks: (1) Funding shortfall — if the IPP's investment returns fall below the actuarial assumed rate, the corporation must make additional contributions. This is mandatory — corporations can be penalized for underfunding. If the corporation cannot fund shortfalls, there can be problems; (2) Regulatory complexity — IPPs must comply with federal/provincial pension legislation, file annual reports, meet minimum/maximum contribution rules. CRA audits contributions for excess contributions; (3) Locked-in at retirement — IPP funds are locked-in and converted to a Life Income (equivalent of LIRA/LIF) on plan wind-up or retirement, limiting withdrawal flexibility compared to RRSP/RRIF.

Individual Pension Plan Canada 2026 — IPP Guide for Incorporated Business Owners

IPP vs RRSP — Annual Contribution Comparison

Age	RRSP Limit (2026)	Approximate IPP Current Service Contribution ($200K salary)	Extra Shelter vs RRSP
35	$32,490	~$30,000	— (RRSP slightly better)
40	$32,490	~$38,000	+$5,500/yr
45	$32,490	~$48,000	+$15,500/yr
50	$32,490	~$60,000	+$27,500/yr
55	$32,490	~$75,000	+$42,500/yr
60	$32,490	~$95,000	+$62,500/yr
65	$32,490	~$120,000+	+$87,500/yr

Contributions at older ages are higher because fewer years remain before retirement, requiring larger annual deposits to fund the defined benefit. Exact amounts depend on actuarial calculations.

How an IPP Is Structured

Component	Details
Plan type	Defined benefit — promises a specific benefit at retirement
Benefit formula	Typically 2% × years of credited service × final average salary
Member	Usually solely the business owner (hence “Individual” pension plan)
Corporation role	Plan sponsor and employer; makes deductible contributions
Trustee	Required — often a professional trust company; can be self-trustee in some provinces
Registration	Must register with CRA + provincial pension authority
Pension adjustment	Yes — IPP reduces RRSP room for the following year (like any DB pension)
Permitted investments	Must comply with CRA’s qualified investments for registered plans

Past Service Contribution — The Setup Opportunity

Scenario	Calculation Method
10 years of T4 salary history at $180,000	Actuary calculates past service funding needed
Typical past service contribution	$200,000–$500,000+ depending on salary and years
Funded from RRSP transfer	Reduces personal RRSP but funds pension; retains tax deferral
Funded from corporate cash	Deductible corporate contributing; no RRSP reduction
Combination	Most common approach — RRSP transfer + additional corporate contribution

When an IPP Top-Up is Triggered

Trigger	Consequence
Investment returns below actuarially assumed rate (typically 7.5%)	Corporation must contribute additional funds to eliminate deficit
Triennial actuarial valuation shows funding shortfall	Mandatory additional deductible corporate contribution
Member salary increases	May trigger additional contribution for improved benefits
Plan wind-up (e.g., on sale of business)	Full actuarial funding required on wind-up
Surplus at retirement	Surplus belongs to the plan until wind-up rules allow distribution

IPP at Retirement — What Happens to the Funds

Option	Details
Receive defined benefit pension	Monthly pension from the IPP trust; taxable income
Buy an annuity	Transfer IPP assets to purchase a life annuity from insurance company
Transfer to LIRA or LIF	If plan is wound up — convert to locked-in retirement account; extract as LIF income
Commuted value transfer	Convert the defined benefit to a commuted value and transfer to LIRA — then maximum age LIF drawdown

IPP funds are locked-in (cannot withdraw in lump sum like RRSP → RRIF). This is the key trade-off vs. RRSP flexibility at retirement.

Eligibility Checklist

Requirement	Your Situation
Incorporated	Must be incorporated (corp is the plan sponsor)
T4 salary	Must pay yourself T4 employment income — dividends don’t count
Age	Most beneficial at 40+
Salary level	$150,000+ T4 salary recommended for cost efficiency
Years of service	More past service = more top-up opportunity
Plan to maintain corp long-term	Need 5–10+ years to recover setup costs

Cost-Benefit Analysis — Is an IPP Worth It?

Example: Age 50, $200,000 T4 salary, 15 years past service, corporate cash available

Item	Amount
Annual IPP contribution vs RRSP: extra $27,500/year	+$27,500/yr
Tax saved on extra $27,500 contribution (12.2% corporate rate)	+$3,355/yr saved
Setup cost (amortized over 15 years)	~$800/yr
Annual actuarial cost (amortized)	~$600/yr
Net annual benefit	~$1,955/yr (modest in early years)
Past service lump-sum contribution (15 yrs × $200K salary)	~$350,000 additional deductible
Tax saving on past service contribution at 12.2%	~$42,700 one-time saving

For high-earning incorporated owners 50+, the combination of ongoing higher annual contributions and the past service lump sum makes IPPs compelling despite the costs.