In searching the Internet for statistics on another matter, I recently stumbled upon a December, 2004 Statistics Canada Perspective document written by Philip Giles and Karen Maser on “Using RRSPs before retirement”. Although this paper is now over six years old, is very apropos given my blog in March “The Kid in the Candy Store: Human Nature, RRSPs Free Cash and the Holy Grail.”. Mr. Giles and Ms. Maser examine the financial implications of seven life events and how these events might precipitate the removal of funds from an RRSP.
Before I move on with the details of the above noted paper, I want to reference the tremendous statistical effort by Mike Holman in his blog entitled Canadians Are Not Withdrawing From RRSPs At An Alarming Rate. Whereas I attempted to anecdotally reflect that RRSPs are the Holy Grail, Mike breaks down the statistics to reflect RRSP withdrawal rates are not as alarming as some purport.
Anyways, back to the 2004 document. I feel the statistics in this document speak in part to my conclusion that RRSPs are often accessed under financial duress in response to “life events”, and are not necessarily being used to supplement income or being used for discretionary purchases.
The authors listed the following as life events that could precipitate RRSP withdrawals and explored whether these life events did in fact contribute to RRSP withdrawals:
Death of a spouse: The paper concludes that the death of a spouse had the greatest effect on RRSP withdrawals. The authors note “The death of a spouse is a unique event in that it is generally unexpected and may often occur before adequate financial planning has taken place. In such a situation, RRSPs could provide a needed or useful source of funds.”
Separation or divorce: The impact of separation and divorce was smaller than for most of the other life events.
Involuntary job loss, starting a business: The authors surprisingly note that there was not an appreciable effect on RRSP withdrawals for those who lost their job, whereas starting a business was a factor. However, where these events resulted in an RRSP withdrawal, the withdrawal is large.
Birth of a child: This event has little effect.
Buying a house: Withdrawals under the Home Buyers Plan were excluded for purposes of the study. The purchase of a new house had only a slight effect on RRSP withdrawals, although, were money was withdrawn; it was of a more substantial nature.
Returning to school full time: For the major income earner, this event had little effect on RRSP withdrawal behaviour, except if a spouse was returning to school.
The reasons Canadians withdraw funds from their RRSP are varied; however, I am still convinced, most withdrawals are made from a position of need and this document reflects the life events that have the greatest effect upon RRSP withdrawals.
The Money Index
I would like to thank Tom Drake of the Canadian Finance Blog for including my blog on his Money Index listing. The Money Index was recently nominated for the Globe and Mail’s best Canadian investing blog, even though technically it is an updated directory of various blogs.
Before I move on with the details of the above noted paper, I want to reference the tremendous statistical effort by Mike Holman in his blog entitled Canadians Are Not Withdrawing From RRSPs At An Alarming Rate. Whereas I attempted to anecdotally reflect that RRSPs are the Holy Grail, Mike breaks down the statistics to reflect RRSP withdrawal rates are not as alarming as some purport.
Anyways, back to the 2004 document. I feel the statistics in this document speak in part to my conclusion that RRSPs are often accessed under financial duress in response to “life events”, and are not necessarily being used to supplement income or being used for discretionary purchases.
The authors listed the following as life events that could precipitate RRSP withdrawals and explored whether these life events did in fact contribute to RRSP withdrawals:
Death of a spouse: The paper concludes that the death of a spouse had the greatest effect on RRSP withdrawals. The authors note “The death of a spouse is a unique event in that it is generally unexpected and may often occur before adequate financial planning has taken place. In such a situation, RRSPs could provide a needed or useful source of funds.”
Separation or divorce: The impact of separation and divorce was smaller than for most of the other life events.
Involuntary job loss, starting a business: The authors surprisingly note that there was not an appreciable effect on RRSP withdrawals for those who lost their job, whereas starting a business was a factor. However, where these events resulted in an RRSP withdrawal, the withdrawal is large.
Birth of a child: This event has little effect.
Buying a house: Withdrawals under the Home Buyers Plan were excluded for purposes of the study. The purchase of a new house had only a slight effect on RRSP withdrawals, although, were money was withdrawn; it was of a more substantial nature.
Returning to school full time: For the major income earner, this event had little effect on RRSP withdrawal behaviour, except if a spouse was returning to school.
The reasons Canadians withdraw funds from their RRSP are varied; however, I am still convinced, most withdrawals are made from a position of need and this document reflects the life events that have the greatest effect upon RRSP withdrawals.
The Money Index
I would like to thank Tom Drake of the Canadian Finance Blog for including my blog on his Money Index listing. The Money Index was recently nominated for the Globe and Mail’s best Canadian investing blog, even though technically it is an updated directory of various blogs.
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