---
title: "RRSP for Life: No Forced RRIF Conversion at 71 (Proposal)"
url: https://www.everstonecpa.com/tax-update/rrsp-for-life
description: "Budget 2026 consults on merging RRSPs and RRIFs so you no longer have to convert at 71, with minimum withdrawals continuing. See what is proposed."
type: tax-update
updated: 2026-11-06
summary: "Budget 2026 proposes merging the RRSP and RRIF rules so a plan no longer has to convert at age 71. Minimum withdrawals would still be required from 71. The government is also asking about letting a surviving spouse take over the plan as successor holder. Comments are due 8 January 2027, and no start date has been proposed."
faq_count: 2
publisher: EverStone CPA Inc., a Chartered Professional Accountant firm registered with CPA British Columbia and CPA Alberta
service_area: British Columbia, Alberta, Ontario and Manitoba
language: en-CA
contact: info@everstonecpa.com · https://www.everstonecpa.com/book-online
---

[Home](https://www.everstonecpa.com/) [Tax updates](https://www.everstonecpa.com/tax-updates) [Budget 2026](https://www.everstonecpa.com/tax-update/federal-budget-2026) RRSP for life

Retirement

# RRSP for life: keeping your RRSP past age 71

By EverStone CPA · Updated November 2026

Today an RRSP must become a RRIF by the end of the year you turn 71. Budget 2026 proposes ending that rule. It is a consultation, not a decision.

**Quick answer:** Budget 2026 proposes merging the RRSP and RRIF rules so a plan no longer has to convert at age 71. Minimum withdrawals would still be required from 71. The government is also asking about letting a surviving spouse take over the plan as successor holder. Comments are due 8 January 2027, and no start date has been proposed.

**Planning retirement income from your company?** We look at RRSP, salary and dividends together so withdrawals are taxed as lightly as possible. [Get My Fixed Quote](https://www.everstonecpa.com/book-online?service=advisory#enquiry-form)

**Announced, not yet law** · Consultation; comments due 8 January 2027
This has been announced but is not yet law. It can change or be withdrawn.

## Example

Linda turns 71 in 2028. Today she must convert her RRSP to a RRIF by the end of 2028 and start minimum withdrawals in 2029. Under the proposal she could keep the RRSP open, but she would still have to take at least the minimum each year from 71, so the tax on withdrawals is largely the same. The main gain is simplicity, and a spouse being able to take over the plan.

This year’s contribution room: [RRSP dollar limit for 2026](https://www.everstonecpa.com/tax-update/rrsp-dollar-limit-2026).

Whether this applies to you depends on your year-end and structure; [ask about your own situation](https://www.everstonecpa.com/quick-question) and a CPA replies by email, usually the same business day, free.

## Common questions

**Do I still have to convert my RRSP at 71?**

Yes, for now. RRSP for Life is a consultation with no start date.

**Would minimum withdrawals end?**

No. Minimum withdrawals would still apply from 71.

## Where this comes from

Budget 2026 was tabled on 5 November 2026. Figures on this page are from:

- [BLG — Federal Budget 2026: tax measures](https://www.blg.com/en/insights/2026/11/federal-budget-2026-sovereignty-strategic-investment-and-tax-simplification)

- [RBC Wealth Management — Federal budget 2026 overview](https://www.rbcwealthmanagement.com/en-ca/insights/federal-budget-2026-an-overview-of-key-measures-that-may-impact-you)

- [Thor — 2026 Federal Budget: key tax measures](https://www.thor.ca/blog/2026/11/2026-federal-budget-key-tax-measures/)

**General information, not tax advice.** Budget measures are proposals until enacted and can change. Before deciding anything, [send an enquiry](https://www.everstonecpa.com/book-online?service=advisory#enquiry-form).

[Federal Budget 2026: what changes for small business owners](https://www.everstonecpa.com/tax-update/federal-budget-2026)
[The Canada Caregiver Credit becomes refundable](https://www.everstonecpa.com/tax-update/canada-caregiver-credit-refundable)
[Flat amounts you can claim without receipts from 2027](https://www.everstonecpa.com/tax-update/flat-rate-deductions-2027)

---
Source: https://www.everstonecpa.com/tax-update/rrsp-for-life
Prices: https://www.everstonecpa.com/pricing · Contact: info@everstonecpa.com · https://www.everstonecpa.com/book-online