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Locked-In Retirement Account

The Locked-In Retirement Account (LIRA) 1 and Locked-In Retirement Savings Plan (LRSP) 1 enable you, as an employee to maintain the tax-deferred status of pension plan proceeds received when you leave a company. LIRA's lock in your money, but not your investment options. These plans are governed by federal or provincial pension legislation.

Administrative information:

  • The LIRA can receive pension proceeds if the planholder earned the pension while working in a province other than B.C., Nova Scotia, or P.E.I.
  • P.E.I. has not yet established its own pension legislation, therefore any locked-in plans from P.E.I. must be handled individually
  • All money in locked-in plans must come from your Registered Pension Plan (RPP) or from another locked-in plan. You can’t make additional contributions, but you can decide how your money is invested.

Special information:

The LIRA or LRSP must be collapsed in the year in which you have your 71st birthday. You can then:

  • Purchase an annuity, or
  • Transfer the assets to a LIF or LRIF, depending on the pension legislation governing the LIRA or LRSP



Contact our office for more information about Locked-in Retirement Accounts.

1Investopedia

This publication and website are intended for Ontario residents only and the information contained is subject to change without notice. Mutual Funds are offered and regulated through Global Maxfin Investments Inc. (GMII). Insurance products (including Segregated Funds) and Income Tax Planning is provided under the name of Ausim Mobeen. GMII does not supervise these activities and will not be accountable, responsible or liable for such activities. This publication contains opinions of the writer and may not reflect opinions of GMII. The information contained herein was obtained from sources believed to reliable, but no representation, or warranty, express or implied, is made by the writer or GMII or any other person as to its accuracy, completeness or correctness. This publication is not an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy any of the securities. The securities discussed in this publication may not be eligible for sale in some jurisdictions. If you are not a Canadian resident, this report should not have been delivered to you. This publication is not meant to provide legal or account advice. As each situation is different you should consult your own professional advisors for advice based on your specific circumstances.