Registered account calculator
RRSP Contribution Catch-Up Calculator
Estimate the recurring contribution that would use a simplified starting amount of RRSP room over the number of complete years selected. The projection follows only the starting amount calculated here and does not add new RRSP room arising in later years.
What this calculator estimates
The calculator combines unused RRSP deduction room at the end of 2025 with a simplified estimate of new 2026 room, then subtracts the entered 2026 contributions to establish a starting amount.
This simplified starting-room estimate does not account for earlier RRSP contributions that remain undeducted. If there are such contributions, it may overstate the amount available for new contributions.
How to use the calculator
Enter unused RRSP deduction room at the end of 2025, 2025 RRSP earned income and pension adjustment, and RRSP contributions already made for 2026. Then enter the planned contribution and number of complete years to test.
The selected horizon represents complete years from the start of this illustration. It does not begin automatically on January 1, 2026, or shorten the first year to the months remaining in 2026.
How the estimate is calculated
- Record unused RRSP deduction room at the end of 2025 for use in step 4.
- Calculate 18% of 2025 RRSP earned income and use the lower of that amount and the 2026 annual dollar limit of $33,810.
- Subtract the 2025 pension adjustment. If the result is negative, use $0 for this step.
- Add the unused RRSP deduction room recorded in step 1.
- Subtract the 2026 RRSP contributions entered. The result, floored at $0, is the simplified starting amount.
- Divide the starting amount across the selected number of complete years and contribution periods.
- If the remaining amount is less than the planned contribution, include only that remaining amount. Include no further contributions after the starting amount is used.
- Estimate tax savings on the contributions included in the projection using the entered marginal tax rate.
Example
Suppose the simplified starting amount is $19,800 and the goal is to use it through monthly contributions over three complete years. The required contribution is $550 per month. If the planned contribution is $400 per month, the additional amount needed is $150 per contribution. At the planned pace, approximately $5,400 remains after three years. The projection does not add new RRSP room arising during those years.
Assumptions and limits
The projection follows only the starting amount calculated here. It does not add new RRSP room arising in later years.
The starting amount does not include every CRA adjustment or earlier contributions that remain undeducted.
Contributions are reduced when less starting room remains and stop after the starting amount is used. This does not determine whether continuing the entered schedule would create an excess contribution.
The calculator does not determine excess-contribution tax, complete deduction eligibility, tax-bracket effects, alternative minimum tax, refund timing, certain transfers or repayment rules, or other CRA adjustments.