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Retirement income in Canada comes from several places at once: government pensions, registered accounts, workplace pensions and plain savings. Each is taxed a little differently, and that is where people get caught out. Use this page to find the piece you are working on, whether that’s your first CPP estimate or what happens to the tax when you pull money out of an RRSP. We are an information site and do not offer tax preparation services.
What will CPP and OAS pay me?
CPP depends on what you contributed and when you start, and OAS depends on residence and income. Both are taxable. OAS is the one that starts at 65, according to the government’s Old Age Security page, while you choose your own CPP start date. Start with the calculators, then the maximums.
- CPP Pension by Start Age, 60 to 70
See how the start age changes the monthly amount.
- CPP Maximum in 2026 for Contributions and Pension
Both maximums: what you pay in and what a new retiree can receive.
- OAS Pension Estimate and Recovery Tax
An estimate, plus the clawback at higher incomes.
- Retirement Savings and Monthly Income Planner
Roughly what your savings could pay each month.
How does an RRSP work, and what happens when I withdraw?
An RRSP gives you a deduction now and taxes the money as income later. These pages cover the deduction, the limit and the tax on the way out. Withdrawals get tax held back at the source, and that withholding is often lower than what you really owe at tax time, so set a few bucks aside in case the balance comes due in April.
- How an RRSP Works in Canada, From Deposit to Payout
The whole life of an RRSP in one read.
- RRSP Contribution Refund and Room Calculator
Your room and the refund a contribution brings.
- RRSP Tax Savings: What a Contribution Gives Back
Two worked examples of what you get back.
- RRSP Limit: What Happens If You Go Over It
The small cushion, then the monthly charge.
- RRSP Withdrawal Tax: Withheld vs Real Tax
Why the tax withheld is not the whole story.
- T4RSP Slip: What It Reports and How to Use It
The slip you get after a withdrawal.
Is a TFSA or a GIC the better home for savings?
They answer different questions. The TFSA is an account type with no tax on withdrawals, and a GIC is an investment that can sit inside one. So the real choice is often where to hold a GIC, not which of the two to pick. The table sets them side by side.
- TFSA Calculator: Your Contribution Room by Birth Year
Find your room based on when you turned 18.
- GIC Calculator: Value at Maturity and Interest
What a GIC is worth when it matures.
- RRSP, TFSA, FHSA and retirement income in Canada
How the registered accounts compare.
| Option | Tax on what you put in | Tax on what you take out | Read more |
|---|---|---|---|
| RRSP | Deductible | Taxed as income | RRSP article |
| TFSA | Not deductible | Not taxed | TFSA calculator |
| GIC | Depends on the account that holds it | Depends on the account that holds it | GIC calculator |
How is my retirement income taxed?
Pension income is added to your other income. CPP and OAS are taxable too, but they do not qualify for the pension income amount, which catches many retirees off guard. Picture Dale, who retires at 65 with a workplace pension, CPP and OAS: all three land on one return and are taxed together, so the total decides his bracket and not any single cheque.
- Retirement Tax on CPP, OAS, Pension and RRIF
Estimate tax on a mix of retirement income.
- How Pension Income Is Taxed in Canada After 65
What each kind of pension means for your bill.
- What Counts as Pension Income on Your Tax Return
Which payments qualify for the credit, by age.
- Pension Tax Credit in Canada: Who Gets It, How Much
Up to $2,000 of eligible income, and who can claim it.
Where should I start?
If you’re a few years out, begin with the CPP and OAS estimates so you know your floor, then look at how much room you have in your RRSP and TFSA. If you’ve already retired, the retirement tax estimator above shows how the pieces stack on one return. Questions about your own file belong with the CRA or a qualified preparer. This site is independent and has no connection with any government.
Frequently asked questions
What is the maximum CPP I can get in 2026?
A new retiree can receive up to $1,507.65 a month at 65. Our CPP maximum page also covers the contribution maximums.
Are CPP and OAS taxable?
Yes, both count as income on your return. They do not qualify for the $2,000 pension income amount, though.
Is RRSP withdrawal taxed?
Yes. Everything you take out is added to that year's income, and the tax withheld at the time may not match what you really owe.
What is the difference between an RRSP and a TFSA?
An RRSP contribution is deductible and withdrawals are taxed. A TFSA contribution is not deductible, but withdrawals are not taxed.