How Do I Invest My RRSPs into Private Real Estate? - Fundscraper (2024)

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Gregory M. Colford, B.A., J.D., C.I.M.®

How Do I Invest My RRSPs into Private Real Estate? - Fundscraper (1)

Gregory M. Colford, B.A., J.D., C.I.M.®

PRINCIPAL BROKER, RETIRED EVP & CCO

Gregory was a partner at Heenan Blaikie LLP until September 2005. Together with two others he founded and operated a commercial mortgage brokerage that acted for a major pension fund investing in seniors housing until June of 2012. Following that Gregory worked with a national mortgage brokerage and a leading independent financial house to create funds to finance residential Alt A mortgage origination.

How Do I Invest My RRSPs into Private Real Estate? - Fundscraper (2)

Private real estate investment is too often overlooked in an investment world dominated by hedge funds, ETFs, Principal Protected Products, publicly traded shares, and bonds. If you think private real estate investing is only for the wealthy or experienced, think again. Private real estate investing is for everyone, especially because you can use your RRSPs to invest. It’s an affordable, approachable way to get started. Not sure how to do that or what that means? We’ll explain.

Key Points

  • Most people don’t realize that they can invest in private mortgage investment entities like mortgage investment corporations and mortgage trusts, as well as mortgages directly, with their RRSPs.
  • What is evolving today is that the less risk-averse investor should actually be the one weighing their portfolio more favourably toward real estate than otherwise. This is because real estate is such a strong non-correlated asset class to the hoped for “high flyers” to which so many less risk-averse investors are attracted.

What is an RRSP?

RRSP stands for “registered retirement savings plan.” A “registered” plan means the plan, and the account associated with it, is registered (or held) by a service provided by the Canada Revenue Authority to manage accounts that benefit from the special treatment our federal and provincial government’s grant to these unique retirement savings plans. Other examples of “registered” plans are “Registered Retirement Income Funds” and “Tax Free Savings Accounts”. What is discussed below is applicable to RRIFs and TFSAs as well!

The majority of Canadians hold their retirement savings in registered accounts. Most often people invest their RRSPs in stocks, bonds, mutual funds, exchange traded funds and other public securities. Many people believe that is all they can invest in through their RRSPs, but that only scratches the surface of what’s possible.

Most people don’t realize that they can invest in private mortgage investment entities like mortgage investment corporations and mortgage trusts, as well as mortgages directly, with their RRSPs. If you’re interested in doing this, we can help.

What are the benefits? Considerations?

Investing in private real estate is an excellent way to diversify your portfolio. Savvy investors know not to put all of their eggs in one basket, and private real estate helps minimize risk of loss. It also helps generate return and preserve capital.

Investment advisors commonly recommend that a person’s portfolio have between 10% and 20% in real estate. It is generally thought that investors who are risk-averse would tend to hold a mix with more real estate and less risk-averse investors would tend to weigh stocks more heavily in their portfolio. What is evolving today is that the less risk-averse investor should actually be the one weighing their portfolio more favourably toward real estate than otherwise. This is because real estate is such a strong non-correlated asset class to the hoped for “high flyers” to which so many less risk-averse investors are attracted.

Most people don’t realize that they can invest in private mortgage investment entities like mortgage investment corporations and mortgage trusts as well as mortgages directly through their registered accounts.

How to determine which real estate investments are right for you

If you’re interested in investing your RRSPs in private mortgages, whether directly or through a mortgage investment entity like a MIC or mortgage trust, then the first thing you should do is seek expert advice if you have little experience in the private mortgage markets. The process is not difficult, but if you’ve never done it before, you’ll need an expert to walk you through it. That’s what we’re here for!

Your advisor should be a registered mortgage broker or an exempt market dealer focused on mortgages. At Fundscraper, we’re both. We begin by asking about your investing experience, investment portfolio to date, risk appetite, expectations, current needs, and future needs. This is called a suitability assessment, and it helps us determine whether private real estate is an appropriate investment for you at this juncture of your life. If yes, the next step is identifying a mortgage investment product that would be suitable for you.

How Do I Invest My RRSPs into Private Real Estate? - Fundscraper (3)

How to invest RRSPs into private real estate

Once we have found something that is suitable for you, the next steps are setting up how you can acquire the private mortgage investment security with your current RRSP funds that are held by your bank or financial advisor. Those RRSP funds are likely tied up in mutual funds, exchange traded funds, and other RRSP eligible securities. We’ll help you with this process as much or as little as you need.

  1. Fund your investment. Liquidate a fraction of your RRSP holdings to the cash amount you need to make your new investment.
  2. Open a self-directed RRSP. Ask your financial institution (any Canadian chartered bank or trust company) to do this.
  3. Transfer your liquidated funds to your new account. You’ll complete a “transfer instruction” whereby your new financial institution will request that your current RRSP institution transfers the liquidated funds to your new self-directed RRSP account. Once all the forms are completed, they are filed with the originating institution instructing it to transfer your cash portion to your newly created self-directed RRSP account with the new financial institution.

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  4. Wait for the funds to transfer. The transfer can take up to four weeks. In order to maintain RRSP eligibility, funds must move directly from one RRSP account to another. You cannot withdraw the funds yourself, take them to your financial institution, and deposit them.
  5. Invest your RRSPs into private real estate. Once the funds arrive in your self-directed RRSP account, tell the self-directed RRSP account to fund your investment in the private mortgage investment entity. You do that by way of delivering to the financial institution a “payment direction” — the financial institution has a standard form of payment direction that it will provide to you. The payment direction tells the financial institution to invest in the private mortgage investment entity for you through the newly created self-directed RRSP account for the amount set out in the direction.

Investing your RRSPs in private mortgages is easy! Nevertheless, it’s important to have your advisor orchestrate the process on your behalf, as there are moving pieces that have to be coordinated.

How do I get started?

Your registered account savings are your nest egg. Be careful with how you employ and invest these funds. Work closely with reputable dealers to first determine whether investing in private mortgage securities is suitable for you and, if so, what the best private mortgage investment products are for you at the time you want to make the investment.

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How Do I Invest My RRSPs into Private Real Estate? - Fundscraper (2024)

FAQs

How Do I Invest My RRSPs into Private Real Estate? - Fundscraper? ›

There are many eligible investments, such as shares of Canadian private corporations, that can be held in a Registered Retirement Savings Plan (RRSP) or a Tax-Free Savings Account (TFSA).

Can I invest my RRSP in a private company? ›

There are many eligible investments, such as shares of Canadian private corporations, that can be held in a Registered Retirement Savings Plan (RRSP) or a Tax-Free Savings Account (TFSA).

How does private real estate investing work? ›

Private equity real estate funds allow high-net-worth individuals (HWNIs) and institutions such as endowments and pension funds to invest in equity and debt holdings related to real estate assets. Using an active management strategy, private equity real estate takes a diversified approach to property ownership.

Can you invest money from your RRSP? ›

Self-directed RRSP - With a self-directed RRSP account, you're not restricted to the investment types offered by your financial institution. You can invest in mutual funds, GICs, stocks, bonds, ETFs and more. As the account holder, you get to make all the decisions.

What can RRSP be invested in? ›

Common types of qualified investments for a trust governed by an RRSP or RRIF include:
  • money.
  • guaranteed investment certificates.
  • government and corporate bonds.
  • mutual funds.
  • securities listed on a designated stock exchange.
Feb 2, 2023

How do I invest in a private company directly? ›

The Bottom Line. Unless you're an accredited investor, you can't directly buy shares of stock in a private company. However, you can invest in funds that track this part of the market and can buy shares of private equity firms that do invest in private companies.

Can retirement accounts invest in private equity? ›

With a self-directed IRA, you can invest in both private companies and private equity.

What is one of the disadvantages of investing in a private REIT? ›

The potential downsides of a REIT investment include taxes, fees, and market volatility due to interest rate movements or trends in the real estate market. REITs tend to specialize in specific property types.

What is the average return private real estate fund? ›

But if you want to know the average annualized returns of long-term real estate investments, it's 10.3%. That's about the same as what the stock market returns over the long run. However, real estate offers a higher return than the stock market when adjusted for real estate investment risk.

How much money do I need to invest in private equity? ›

What is the minimum investment required? The required minimum investment is often $25 million, but can be higher or lower. Some private equity firms have lower minimums of several hundred thousand dollars.

How to generate income from RRSP? ›

You can transfer your RRSP funds to a registered retirement income fund (RRIF). Starting in the year after you establish a RRIF, you receive a minimum amount each year using a predetermined formula based on the value of the RRIF and your age.

What age should you stop investing in RRSP? ›

December 31 of the year you turn 71 years old is the last day that you can contribute to your RRSPs.

Why not to invest in RRSP? ›

If you earn a yearly salary of $50,000 or less, then an RRSP might not be the best option available to you. This is because your tax savings will drop significantly as well as your allotted contribution amount. In this case, a TFSA (Tax Free Savings Account) may be a better choice.

What is a good interest rate for RRSP? ›

1.25% regular posted variable annual interest rate. Interest is calculated daily and paid monthly.

What to do with RRSP when you retire? ›

Your RRSP must be cashed out or converted by December 31 of the year you turn 71. Otherwise, the government will close your RRSP and your savings will be considered taxable income.

Do you pay tax on RRSP investments? ›

Any income you earn in the RRSP is usually exempt from tax as long as the funds remain in the plan; you generally have to pay tax when you receive payments from the plan.

How do you buy private companies before they go public? ›

Investors can access pre-IPO investments through crowdfunding platforms or special purpose vehicles. Alternative investment funds and managed funds on AngelList offer opportunities for accredited investors to gain exposure in private companies.

How do private companies pay their investors? ›

Part of the returns for investors in private equity is through receiving dividends, much like shareholders of a public company do. This process is known as dividend recapitalization and involves the process of raising debt to pay private equity shareholders a dividend.

How do private investors make money? ›

How do private investors make money? They select potential businesses and provide ideas to make the ideas more profitable. Benefits are reaped after a long-term investment. Angel investors and venture capitalists may take a stake in equity or charge a fee as profit.

Can a retirement account be a brokerage account? ›

A retirement account, such as an IRA, or individual retirement account, is a standard brokerage account with access to the same range of investments.

Can retirement accounts invest in hedge funds? ›

In general, retirement funds are permitted to invest in hedge funds. The prohibited transaction rules tend to become more of an issue when the person using the IRA funds or any disqualified person related to the IRA owner has a personal interest or relationship with the hedge fund investment.

Who is allowed to invest in private equity? ›

Who can invest? A private equity fund is typically open only to accredited investors and qualified clients. Accredited investors and qualified clients include institutional investors, such as insurance companies, university endowments and pension funds, and high income and net worth individuals.

What is the largest private REIT in the US? ›

BREIT is by far the largest private REIT, with a net asset value of $68 billion as of Nov. 30, 2022. Its biggest rival is Starwood Real Estate Income Trust, or SREIT, with a net asset value of $14 billion as of Nov.

Can I invest in a private REIT? ›

Private REITs generally can be sold only to institutional investors, such as large pension funds, and/or to “Accredited Investors” generally defined as individuals with a net worth of at least $1 million (excluding primary residence) or with income exceeding $200,000 over two prior two years ($300,000 with a spouse).

What is considered bad income for a REIT? ›

Bad REIT Income means (i) the amount of gross income received by the Borrower (directly or indirectly) that would not constitute (A) “rents from real property” as defined in Section 856 of the Internal Revenue Code or (B) interest, dividends, gain from sales or other types of income, in each case, described in Section ...

What is a good annual ROI in real estate? ›

A “good” ROI is highly subjective because it largely depends on how risk-tolerant a particular investor is. But as a rule of thumb, most real estate investors aim for ROIs above 10%.

What is the 2 percent rule in real estate investing? ›

The 2% rule is the same as the 1% rule – it just uses a different number. The 2% rule states that the monthly rent for an investment property should be equal to or no less than 2% of the purchase price. Here's an example of the 2% rule for a home with the purchase price of $150,000: $150,000 x 0.02 = $3,000.

Is 7% ROI good for real estate? ›

Return on investment is variable and depends on a lot of factors — there's no one-size-fits-all answer for what is considered a “good” ROI. The average annual ROI for residential real estate is currently hovering around 10 percent, so anything above that can be considered better than average.

What is the 8 20 rule private equity? ›

The 20% performance fee is the biggest source of income for hedge funds. The performance fee is only charged when the fund's profits exceed a prior agreed-upon level. A common threshold level used is 8%. That means that the hedge fund only charges the 20% performance fee if profits for the year surpass the 8% level.

How hard is it to get into private equity? ›

Landing a career in private equity is very difficult because there are few jobs on the market in this profession and so it can be very competitive. Coming into private equity with no experience is impossible, so finding an internship or having previous experience in a related field is highly recommended.

What is the 2 20 rule private equity? ›

At its most basic, the two and twenty is basically the standard fee structure for venture capital firms to charge their investors. The 2% is the annual fee that the fund charges investors to manage the fund. And the 20% is the percentage of the upside that the fund managers take.

What happens to RRSP at age 65? ›

Do you pay taxes on RRSP after 65? The RRSP is a tax-free savings plan. As long as the funds are in an RRSP, you won't have to pay taxes. After retirement, when you receive RRSP payments through a Registered Retirement Income Fund (RRIF), or annuity, you'll have to pay taxes.

How much do I lose if I cash out my RRSP? ›

When you withdraw funds from an RRSP, your financial institution withholds the tax. The rates depend on your residency and the amount you withdraw. For residents of Canada, the rates are: 10% (5% in Quebec) on amounts up to $5,000.

When can you withdraw from RRSP without tax? ›

The withdrawal is not taxable as long as the funds are paid back to your RRSP over a 10-year period, typically starting five years after your first withdrawal. Up to $10,000 can be withdrawn annually with a maximum lifetime withdrawal of up to $20,000 if you meet the criteria.

What is the 3 year rule for RRSP? ›

Three-year attribution rule

From the time a spousal RRSP contribution is made, it must stay in the account for the rest of the calendar year plus 2 more years before money can be withdrawn as the annuitant's taxable income. If money is withdrawn within 3 years, it will be included in the contributor's taxable income.

How much is too much in an RRSP? ›

Issues include the tax hit when taking money out of the RRSP or RRIF later in life and the potential clawback of Old Age Security (OAS) benefits if your income exceeds the annual threshold, which was $81,761 for 2022. Dying with too much money in your RRSP or RRIF can also trigger a huge tax bill on an estate.

Can you invest in RRSP after age 65? ›

Even though you can no longer contribute to your RRSPs after the year you turn 71 years old, you can deduct unused RRSP contributions up to the amount of your RRSP deduction limit.

What is the negative side of RRSP? ›

Even if you don't contribute the maximum amount, there's a possibility of getting into a tax trap if the holdings in your RRSP grow too much over the years. As mentioned, RRSP contributions and all the gains they generate are fully taxed when withdrawn. Larger withdrawals generate larger marginal tax rates.

What is a better investment than RRSP? ›

TFSAs are more flexible than RRSPs, and the money you invest can grow entirely tax-free. You've already paid taxes on the funds you deposit so you can withdraw the principal and any earnings at any time and for any purpose without having to pay taxes.

What is the average RRSP balance in Canada? ›

How to get back on track. Despite the majority of survey respondents indicating current economic conditions are affecting their approach to saving and investing, the average amount held in a Registered Retirement Savings Plan (RRSP) rose two per cent annually to $144,613 in 2022, according to BMO.

Which Canadian bank has the best RRSP rates? ›

The WealthOne RRSP Savings Account pays a market-leading 3.40% interest rate with no monthly fee or minimum balance required. Wealth One offers some of the country's best interest rates on RRSP GICs as well.

What is the 4% rule for RRSP? ›

It states that you can comfortably withdraw 4% of your savings in your first year of retirement and adjust that amount for inflation for every subsequent year without risking running out of money for at least 30 years.

What happens to RRSP when you leave Canada? ›

Can I roll my RRSP/RRIF into a retirement plan in the other country? A tax-free rollover of your RRSP/RRIF to a retirement plan in another country is not permitted. Therefore, any transfer will be considered a distribution under Canadian tax law and subject to Canadian non-resident withholding tax.

How much does the average Canadian have in RRSP when they retire? ›

How much money does the average Canadian retire with? The average amount held in a Registered Retirement Savings Plan (RRSP) was $144,613 in 2022, according to BMO.

Can I cash out an RRSP? ›

If you meet the applicable HBP conditions, you cannot withdraw more than $35,000. Your RRSP issuer will not withhold tax from the funds you withdraw that total $35,000 or less. An amount exceeding $35,000 will have to be reported as income on your income tax and benefit return for the year you received it.

Should I withdraw money from my RRSP before I turn 71? ›

To try and avoid the problem of your income ballooning when you hit 71, consider retiring earlier than you planned and taking the money out of your RRSP early so it'll get taxed at a lower rate. When it comes to when you should withdraw from your RRSP, a balanced approach is usually best.

Is RRSP the best investment? ›

That's where your RRSP — and all that tax-deferred investment growth — can make a big difference. Putting money into an RRSP now is one of your best chances to save on taxes. And the sooner you contribute, the sooner you'll start to grow your savings which can help you feel confident about living the life you want.

What to do with RRSP at 71? ›

In the year you turn 71 years old, you have to choose one of the following options for your RRSPs:
  1. withdraw them.
  2. transfer them to a RRIF.
  3. use them to purchase an annuity.
Feb 2, 2023

Can you invest in a private limited company? ›

Although private companies cannot list their shares on the stock exchange (see below), shares can be offered directly to individual investors, such as angel investors. To invest in a private limited company, the investor will generally need to purchase at least one share for an agreed sum.

What investments are not allowed in RRSP? ›

RRSPs are not allowed to own certain "non-qualifying" or "prohibited" investments. For example, cryptocurrencies cannot be held in a RRSP directly, although it is possible to hold them in a RRSP indirectly through an exchange traded fund or similar securities. The RRSP itself is exempt from income tax.

Can you invest in private companies from 401k? ›

While it isn't common, it is possible to use 401k assets to fund a private business venture. The way you invest depends on whether the business is personally owned and operated or a business you are purchasing private stock in.

Can you transfer RRSP to another company? ›

You are able to transfer an RRSP to a different financial institution by authorizing the transfer of your funds. You can initiate the transfer through the receiving financial institution. One or both of the financial institutions involved may charge you a transfer fee.

What are the disadvantages of private sector investment? ›

Disadvantages of using private placements

For example, there will be: a reduced market for the bonds or shares in your business, which may have a long-term effect on the value of the business as a whole. a limited number of potential investors, who may not want to invest substantial amounts individually.

How do I start a private investment fund UK? ›

Here are some tips to help you kick off the process of setting up a private equity fund.
  1. Define your business strategy. Firstly, you need to create your strategy and differentiate your financial plan from those offered by competitors. ...
  2. Establish the right investment vehicle. ...
  3. Set the right fee structure. ...
  4. Raise the capital!
Nov 26, 2020

How do you invest in private companies before they go public? ›

Investors can access pre-IPO investments through crowdfunding platforms or special purpose vehicles. Alternative investment funds and managed funds on AngelList offer opportunities for accredited investors to gain exposure in private companies.

When should I not use RRSP? ›

When should you not buy RRSPs?
  • If your income is too low and you will not benefit from the tax deduction. ...
  • If you will be in a higher tax bracket in retirement than when you are working. ...
  • If you have too much money in RRSPs.
Feb 11, 2020

How do I buy a private placement in my IRA? ›

To invest in a private placement with retirement funds you must establish a self-directed IRA. First, Open an account at IRAR. Next, fund the account with a transfer or rollover from another account. Then, instruct IRAR to make the investment on behalf of your IRA.

What is the limit for private 401k? ›

$22,500 in 2023 ($20,500 in 2022; $19,500 in 2020 and 2021), or $30,000 in 2023 ($27,000 in 2022; $26,000 in 2020 and 2021) if age 50 or over; plus.

Can you have a self funded 401k? ›

A self-employed 401(k)—sometimes called a solo-401(k) or an individual 401(k)—is a type of savings option for small-business owners who don't have any employees (apart from a spouse).

Can I transfer my RRSP without penalty? ›

Generally, RRSP holders can transfer assets (either cash or investments) between RRSPs at different financial institutions, without incurring any tax penalties, as long as the financial institution makes the transfer directly and it doesn't cause you to exceed your RRSP deduction limit.

What is the best way to withdraw RRSP in Canada? ›

Mandatory RRSP Withdrawals at Maturity
  1. Maturity Option #1: Make a Lump Sum RRSP Withdrawal.
  2. Maturity Option #2: Convert RRSP to RRIF.
  3. Maturity Option #3: Purchase an Annuity.

Can I transfer my RRSP to my bank account? ›

You are free to transfer your RRSPs between financial institutions at any time without being subject to tax. You can also move some or all of your money between eligible investments within your RRSP.

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