Submission to the federal department of finance on qualified investments
Release Date: 07/15/2024 Staff Reference: Noeline SimonThe 2024 federal budget invited comments on how the qualified investment rules in the Income Tax Act can be modernized to improve the coherence of the registered plans regime [ i.e., Registered Retirement Savings Plans, Registered Retirement Income Funds, Tax-Free Savings Accounts (TFSAs), etc.]. CLHIA's response is supportive of modernizing the rules and improving the product options for Canadians saving for retirement and those in retirement.
The CLHIA recommended that:
- In terms of improving Canadian-based investments, the government use its fiscal policy tools to promote an appealing policy and economic environment for such investments to compete and thrive in a competitive global marketplace.
- The government work with the industry to maintain the existing framework for immediate and deferred annuities as a qualified investment to ensure retirees continue to have secure options and expand the regime to allow Canadians to acquire and hold payout annuities in their TFSAs for a secure retirement.