Registered Disability Savings Plan · Canada

The RDSP, in plain language.

The RDSP is one of the most generous savings programs in Canada. The federal government will match contributions up to 300% — and for lower-income families, will deposit up to $1,000 a year even without any contribution at all. If you or a family member qualifies for the Disability Tax Credit, this is the account to know about.

Lifetime contribution cap

$200,000

Across the entire life of the plan. No annual contribution limit.

Lifetime grant max

$70,000

From the Canada Disability Savings Grant (CDSG), spread over up to 20 years.

Lifetime bond max

$20,000

From the Canada Disability Savings Bond (CDSB) — no contribution required.

Who qualifies

Eligibility & the basics.

The RDSP is straightforward to set up if the beneficiary qualifies for the Disability Tax Credit. Most other rules are about timing and income tiers.

Disability Tax Credit (DTC)

The beneficiary must qualify for the DTC. If they don't yet, that application (Form T2201) is the first step. A doctor or nurse practitioner certifies eligibility.

Age & contribution window

The plan can be opened until the end of the year the beneficiary turns 59. Contributions and grants are accepted until the end of the year the beneficiary turns 49.

Tax-deferred growth

All earnings inside the plan grow tax-deferred until withdrawal. When withdrawn, only the grant + bond + growth portions are taxable — your contributions come out tax-free.

Government support

The grant & the bond.

Two separate streams of government money flow into the RDSP. The grant (CDSG) matches your contributions; the bond (CDSB) deposits free money for low-income families with no contribution required.

CDSG · The grant

Canada Disability Savings Grant

Maximum per year$3,500

Lifetime maximum$70,000

Years available20 years

How the match scales (low & mid income)

First $500

300% match

Next $1,000

200% match

Above income

100% match

CDSB · The bond

Canada Disability Savings Bond

Maximum per year$1,000

Lifetime maximum$20,000

Years available20 years

Contribution required?No

The bond is income-tested. Lower-income families receive the full $1,000/year automatically. At higher income levels the bond phases out. Even with zero contributions, the bond alone can grow into a meaningful nest egg over 20 years.

Try it · The grant simulator

How much support would you actually receive?

Enter your family's net income. The tool shows which CDSG match tier applies, the maximum grant and bond available per year, and a 20-year projection assuming consistent contributions and 8% growth.

Family net income$50,000

Combined family net income from line 23600 of your tax return.

Annual contribution$1,500

$1,500/yr is the sweet spot for capturing the full CDSG match.

Tier: Full match + bond

At this income level you qualify for the maximum CDSG match and full CDSB bond. Contributing $1,500/year captures the highest annual support possible.

Annual government support

Your contribution$1,500

CDSG (grant)$3,500

CDSB (bond)$1,000

Total this year$6,000

20-year projection (8% growth)

Total contributions$30,000

Total grants + bonds$90,000

Estimated growth$154,572

Estimated portfolio value$274,572

When & how

Best practices.

Open it as soon as the DTC is approved

Grants and bonds can also be claimed retroactively for up to 10 years — but only after the plan exists. The earlier the plan is open, the more years of catch-up are possible.

Aim for the $1,500 sweet spot

For low/mid-income families, contributing $1,500/year captures the full $3,500 grant. Above that, the match drops dramatically. More contribution is fine — just don't expect more grant.

Watch the 10-year hold rule

If you withdraw before 10 years have passed since the last grant or bond was deposited, you may have to repay some of those amounts. Plan for the long horizon.

Keep exploring

Other registered accounts.

If the RDSP applies to your family, the TFSA and RRSP are usually the right next steps.

01 / TFSA

Ready when you are

Need help setting up an RDSP?

A 30-minute conversation, no obligation. We can help you confirm DTC eligibility and walk through the contribution strategy that fits your situation.

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