Ontario retirement planning

Retiree Handbook

A practical, readable guide for retirement decisions in Ontario.

Chapter 13 of 13

Annual checklist and current numbers

Use the annual checklist and review the edition’s dated benefit, tax, credit, and RRIF figures.

Version 6.3Updated July 15, 2026

13.1 One annual checklist

  • ☐ Update account balances, ownership, beneficiaries, fees, investment mix, and debt balances.
  • ☐ Estimate current-year taxable income before year-end and project next year.
  • ☐ Review asset location across RRSP/RRIF, TFSA, and non-registered accounts for tax efficiency.
  • ☐ Check RRSP deduction limit, unused contributions, pension adjustment, and planned contribution timing.
  • ☐ Review RRSP/RRIF withdrawals, withholding, instalments, RRIF minimum, spouse-age election, and any bracket top-up opportunity.
  • ☐ Review decumulation buckets/cash reserve and rebalance as needed.
  • ☐ Review CPP/OAS timing, PRB contributions, CPP sharing, and any divorce/separation credit-splitting issue.
  • ☐ Check OAS recovery tax, GIS, GAINS, Allowance benefits, GST/HST credit, OTB, age amount, and pension amount.
  • ☐ Renew or confirm CDCP; review ODB formulary, co-payment status, and Trillium Drug Program if drug costs are high.
  • ☐ Check HATC, MHRTC, CCC, medical expenses, DTC/RDSP, and ADP opportunities — and any change-in-use/PRE impact of renovations.
  • ☐ Apply for OSHPTG and confirm your local municipality/upper-tier region property-tax deferral, rebate, or utility programs before deadlines (use 211 Ontario if unsure what exists locally).
  • ☐ Review any planned housing transition/downsizing: transaction costs, land transfer tax on a new home, reverse-mortgage/HELOC terms, and effect of sale proceeds on net income and benefits.
  • ☐ Review insurance: life, disability, critical illness, health/dental, travel medical, and long-term-care exposure.
  • ☐ For travel, count U.S. days, review Form 8840, provincial residency rules, trip limits, medical stability periods, and any U.S. estate-tax/FX exposure.
  • ☐ Compare actual spending with the budget; update inflation, housing, repair, vehicle, and care assumptions (note which income is indexed).
  • ☐ Confirm home-care/LTC readiness: know how to reach Ontario Health atHome and 211 Ontario before a crisis.
  • ☐ Stress-test market decline, longevity, spouse death, incapacity, care, and a home sale or move.
  • ☐ Review wills, multiple-will asset schedules, any Alter Ego/Joint Partner Trust, joint-ownership arrangements, affidavit of execution, two POAs (Property and Personal Care), advance-care wishes, beneficiaries, executor, TCP, and digital access.
  • ☐ Review disabled-beneficiary planning, RDSP, trusts, and benefit preservation where applicable.
  • ☐ Refresh fraud defences: passwords, MFA, alerts, and review current scam typologies with family/TCP.
  • ☐ Verify advisor registration, fees, conflicts, scope, and whether recommendations remain suitable.
  • ☐ Discuss major changes with family and the relevant tax, legal, insurance, investment, or health professional.

13.2 Current-Number Appendix

Edition date: July 13, 2026 Verified on: July 13, 2026 Geographic scope: Ontario, Canada

Currency: Canadian dollars unless otherwise stated Important: This appendix is a dated reference, not a substitute for checking current government rules. OAS, GIS and Allowance amounts are adjusted quarterly. Drug, long-term-care and municipal figures can change during the year. Personal eligibility depends on income, residency, marital status, contribution history and other circumstances.

13.2.1 Canada Pension Plan — 2026

                             Average
                             monthly       Maximum          Applicable         Verified
     Benefit              amount for         monthly           period             on        Official source
                                  new         amount
                       beneficiaries
  • The maximum CPP amount is not the amount most retirees receive. It generally requires a strong contribution record near the annual maximum pensionable earnings.
  • CPP is taxable.
  • Starting before age 65 permanently reduces the pension; delaying after 65 increases it, up to age 70.
  • Combined survivor and retirement benefits are subject to a combined maximum and should not be calculated by simply adding two full pensions.

Official source:

https://www.canada.ca/en/services/benefits/publicpensions/cpp/payment-amounts.html

13.2.2 Old Age Security, GIS and Allowance — July to September 2026

Old Age Security

                                2025 net-world-
                 Maximum         income ceiling        Applicable       Verified
 Recipient         monthly          shown for             period           on          Official source
                        OAS          payment
                                    eligibility
                                                       July–                        Government of
 Age 65–            $751.97    Less than               September        July 13,    Canada — Old Age
 74                            $152,062                2026             2026        Security payment
                                                                                    amounts
                                                       July–                        Government of
 Age 75+            $827.17    Less than               September        July 13,    Canada — Old Age
                               $157,923                2026             2026        Security payment
                                                                                    amounts
The age-75 increase is 10% relative to the age-65-to-74 maximum. OAS is taxable and may be
reduced by the recovery tax.

Guaranteed Income Supplement

                     Maximum        Maximum         Income       Applicable      Verified      Official
    Situation          monthly       annual          basis          period          on          source
                             GIS     income
                                                  Recipient’s                               Government
 Single,                                          annual         July–                      of Canada —
 widowed or           $1,123.17    Less than      income,        September       July 13,   Old Age
 divorced                          $22,800        generally      2026            2026       Security
                                                  excluding                                 payment
                                                  OAS                                       amounts
 Spouse/partner                    Less than      Couple’s       July–           July 13,
 receives full          $676.09    $30,096        combined       September       2026       Same source
 OAS                               combined       income         2026
 Spouse/partner                    Less than      Couple’s       July–           July 13,
 receives the           $676.09    $42,144        combined       September       2026       Same source
 Allowance                         combined       income         2026
                      Maximum        Maximum         Income        Applicable      Verified       Official
    Situation           monthly       annual           basis          period          on          source
                              GIS     income
 Spouse/partner                     Less than      Couple’s        July–
 does not             $1,123.17     $54,624        combined        September       July 13,    Same source
 receive OAS or                     combined       income          2026            2026
 Allowance

Allowance and Allowance for the Survivor

                             Maximum         Maximum         Applicable      Verified
        Benefit                monthly        annual           period            on        Official source
                                amount        income
 Allowance, age 60–                                                                      Government of
 64, spouse/partner                        Less than        July–            July 13,    Canada — Old
 receives GIS and             $1,428.06    $42,144          September        2026        Age Security
 full OAS                                  combined         2026                         payment
                                                                                         amounts
 Allowance for the                         Less than        July–            July 13,
 Survivor, age 60–64          $1,702.34    $30,696          September        2026        Same source
                                                            2026
GIS, Allowance and Allowance for the Survivor are not taxable, but they are income-tested and
recalculated based on prior-year income.
Official source:
https://www.canada.ca/en/services/benefits/publicpensions/old-age-security/payments.html

13.2.3 OAS Recovery Tax Threshold

       Item                   Amount               Applicable       Verified          Official source
                                                       year            on

OAS recovery- Canada Revenue tax starting $95,323 2026 July 13, Agency — OAS recovery threshold income year 2026 tax / indexed income thresholds 15% of net income Recovery rate above the threshold, 2026 July 13, Canada Revenue until OAS is fully income year 2026 Agency recovered Planning note: The repayment is based on individual net income, not family income. The upper income level at which OAS is fully recovered differs for recipients aged 65–74 and 75+ because their maximum OAS payments differ. Official source: https://www.canada.ca/en/revenue-agency/services/tax/individuals/topics/old-age-security-repayment.html

13.2.4 Ontario Guaranteed Annual Income System — GAINS

         Item               Amount or             Applicable          Verified          Official source
                             threshold               period              on
                                               Current Ontario                    Government of Ontario
 Maximum GAINS           Up to $90 per         program amount        July 13,     — Guaranteed Annual
 payment                 month                 in 2026               2026         Income System
                                                                                  payments for seniors
 Single senior
 private-income          $0                    Current rules         July 13,     Same source
 threshold for                                                       2026
 maximum benefit
 Single senior           Approximately                               July 13,
 upper private-          $4,320 annually       Current rules         2026         Same source
 income threshold
  • GAINS is an Ontario supplement for qualifying low-income seniors who receive OAS and GIS.
  • Ontario normally determines eligibility automatically from the income-tax return and federal benefit information.
  • “Private income” for GAINS purposes is not identical to total cash received. Confirm the calculation with Ontario or Service Canada. Official source: https://www.ontario.ca/page/guaranteed-annual-income-system-payments-seniors

13.2.5 2026 Federal and Ontario Personal Income-Tax Brackets

These are marginal tax brackets. They do not include tax credits, the Ontario health premium, Ontario surtax, OAS recovery tax or reductions to income-tested benefits.

Federal tax brackets — 2026

  Taxable-income            Federal        Verified                        Official source
        portion               rate            on
 Up to $58,523            14%            July 13,       Canada Revenue Agency — Tax rates and
                                         2026           income brackets for individuals
 Over $58,523 to          20.5%          July 13,       Same source
 $117,045                                2026
  Taxable-income            Federal        Verified                        Official source
        portion               rate            on
 Over $117,045 to         26%            July 13,       Same source
 $181,440                                2026
 Over $181,440 to         29%            July 13,       Same source
 $258,482                                2026

Over $258,482 33% July 13, Same source 2026

Ontario tax brackets — 2026

   Taxable-income            Ontario         Verified                       Official source
        portion                 rate            on
 Up to $53,891              5.05%          July 13,        Canada Revenue Agency — Payroll
                                           2026            Deductions Tables, Ontario
 Over $53,891 to            9.15%          July 13,        Same source
 $107,785                                  2026
 Over $107,785 to           11.16%         July 13,        Same source
 $150,000                                  2026
 Over $150,000 to           12.16%         July 13,        Same source
 $220,000                                  2026
 Over $220,000              13.16%         July 13,        Same source
                                           2026

Ontario surtax

Ontario tax before Surtax surtax

Up to $5,818 None

Over $5,818 to $7,446 20% of Ontario tax above $5,818 Over $7,446 20% of Ontario tax above $5,818, plus 36% of Ontario tax above $7,446 Planning note: Ontario’s surtax is calculated on Ontario tax, not directly on taxable income. Consequently, the effective marginal Ontario rate may be higher than the headline bracket rate. Official sources: https://www.canada.ca/en/revenue-agency/services/tax/individuals/frequently-asked-questions-individuals/canadian-income-tax-rates-individuals-current-previous-years.html https://www.canada.ca/en/revenue-agency/services/forms-publications/payroll/t4032-payroll-deductions-tables.html

13.2.6 TFSA and RRSP Limits — 2026

Item 2026 amount Verified Official source on

 TFSA annual                                                 July 13,     Canada Revenue
 contribution limit             $7,000                       2026         Agency — TFSA
                                                                          contribution limits
 Maximum cumulative
 TFSA room for a person                                      July 13,     Canada Revenue
 eligible for every year        $109,000                     2026         Agency
 since 2009 and who
 never contributed

13.2.7 RRIF Minimum Withdrawal Factors

The minimum is calculated using the RRIF’s fair market value at the beginning of the year multiplied by the applicable factor. The owner may elect, when establishing the RRIF, to use a younger spouse’s or common-law partner’s age. Age at start of year Minimum factor

                      72               5.40%
                      73               5.53%

74 5.67%

Age at start of year Minimum factor

                      75               5.82%
                      76               5.98%

77 6.17%

                      78               6.36%
                      79               6.58%

80 6.82%

81 7.08%

                      82               7.38%
                      83               7.71%
                      84               8.08%
                      85               8.51%

86 8.99%

                      87               9.55%
                      88             10.21%

89 10.99%

                      90             11.92%
                      91             13.06%

92 14.49%

                      93             16.34%
                      94             18.79%

95 and older 20.00% Verified on: July 13, 2026 Official source: Canada Revenue Agency — Registered Retirement Income Funds and prescribed minimum factors. Official source: https://www.canada.ca/en/revenue-agency/services/tax/registered-plans-administrators/registered-retirement-savings-plans-registered-retirement-income-funds-rrsps-rrifs.html

13.2.8 Canadian Dental Care Plan — CDCP

   Adjusted           CDCP share of                  Patient co-family net          the CDCP fee          payment against         Verified          Official source
     income                  schedule             the CDCP fee          on
                                                       schedule
 Under                                                              July 13,      Government of Canada
 $70,000                         100%                         0%    2026          — CDCP coverage and
                                                                                  co-payments
 $70,000–                          60%                       40%    July 13,      Same source
 $79,999                                                            2026
 $80,000–                          40%                       60%    July 13,      Same source
 $89,999                                                            2026
 $90,000 or                Not eligible                    100%     July 13,      Government of Canada
 more                                                               2026          — CDCP eligibility
Important: A provider may charge more than the CDCP fee schedule. The patient can therefore
owe both the applicable co-payment and any amount above the CDCP-approved fee. Some
services require preauthorization.
Official sources:
https://www.canada.ca/en/services/benefits/dental/dental-care-plan/coverage.html
https://www.canada.ca/en/services/benefits/dental/dental-care-plan/qualify.html

13.2.9 Ontario Drug Benefit — Seniors

Maximum Senior Annual patient co- Income Applicable Verified Official category deductible payment per threshold period on source covered prescription

                                                  Not            ODB                          Government
 Standard                      Up to $6.11        income-        benefit                      of Ontario —
 ODB           Up to $100      after the          tested for     year:            July 13,    Get coverage
 senior                        deductible         basic age-     August 1–        2026        for
 coverage                                         65             July 31                      prescription
                                                  eligibility                                 drugs
 Seniors                                                                                      Government
 Co-                                              Net            Threshold                    of Ontario —
 Payment       $0              Up to $2           income of      effective        July 13,    Seniors Co-
 Program                                          $25,480 or     August 1,        2026        Payment
 — single                                         less           2026                         Program
 senior

Maximum Senior Annual patient co- Income Applicable Verified Official category deductible payment per threshold period on source covered prescription

13.2.10 Ontario Senior Homeowners’ Property Tax Grant

Item Amount Verified Official source on

                                                                       Government of Ontario / Canada
 Maximum            Up to $500 per household             July 13,      Revenue Agency — Ontario
 annual grant                                            2026          Senior Homeowners’ Property Tax
                                                                       Grant

At least one spouse or Age partner is age 64 or older on July 13, Same source requirement December 31 of the previous 2026 year Ontario resident who paid General property tax on a principal July 13, Same source eligibility residence and meets the 2026 income rules The grant is income-tested and is claimed through the annual income-tax return. The amount is reduced as family income rises. Official sources: https://www.ontario.ca/page/senior-homeowners-property-tax-grant https://www.canada.ca/en/revenue-agency/services/child-family-benefits/ontario-senior-homeowners-property-tax-grant-oshptg.html

13.2.11 Home-Renovation Tax Credits

                         Eligible       Credi     Maximu        Refundable        Verifie
       Credit          expenditur       t rate    m credit             ?           d on       Official source
                          e limit
                                                 Up to                                       Canada
 Home                  Up to                     $3,000                                      Revenue
 Accessibility         $20,000          15%      federal        No               July 13,    Agency —
 Tax Credit —          annually                  tax                             2026        Home
 HATC                                            reduction                                   Accessibility
                                                                                             Tax Credit

13.2.12 Ontario Long-Term-Care Accommodation Charges

The Ontario government pays for nursing and personal care in licensed long-term-care homes. Residents pay an accommodation co-payment. Current maximum monthly charges should be confirmed when applying because Ontario may update rates during the year.

Maximum Accommodation monthly Approximate Verified type resident charge daily rate on Official source used for this edition

                                                                                   Government of Ontario
 Basic / standard                  $2,085.37               $68.56     July 13,     — Long-term-care
 room                                                                 2026         accommodation costs
                                                                                   and subsidy
  • A resident with insufficient income may apply for a rate reduction for a basic room.
  • The rate reduction does not normally subsidize the premium for semi-private or private accommodation.
  • Retirement homes are different from long-term-care homes and set their own private-market prices. Official source: https://www.ontario.ca/page/get-help-paying-long-term-care

13.2.13 Ontario Estate Administration Tax

 Estate value covered by the                  Tax rate            Verified             Official source
  Certificate of Appointment                                         on
 First $50,000 of estate value          $0                       July 13,      Government of Ontario —
                                                                 2026          Estate Administration Tax
                                        $15 for every            July 13,      Government of Ontario —
 Estate value above $50,000             $1,000, or part of       2026          Estate Administration Tax
                                        $1,000
This is equivalent to 1.5% on the portion above $50,000.
Example
  • First $50,000: $0
  • Remaining $1,150,000 × 1.5% = $17,250 Estate Administration Tax Important: Estate Administration Tax is separate from income tax triggered at death. RRSP/RRIF income inclusion, deemed dispositions, capital gains and estate-return tax may be much larger than probate tax. Official source: https://www.ontario.ca/page/estate-administration-tax

13.2.14 Annual Verification Checklist

  • [ ] CPP maximum and average new-beneficiary amounts
  • [ ] OAS, GIS, Allowance and Allowance for the Survivor quarterly amounts
  • [ ] OAS recovery-tax threshold
  • [ ] Ontario GAINS maximum and thresholds
  • [ ] Federal and Ontario tax brackets and Ontario surtax thresholds
  • [ ] TFSA and RRSP limits
  • [ ] RRIF factors, if legislation changes
  • [ ] CDCP income bands and co-payment percentages
  • [ ] ODB deductible, co-payment and Seniors Co-Payment Program thresholds
  • [ ] Ontario Senior Homeowners’ Property Tax Grant
  • [ ] HATC and MHRTC limits
  • [ ] Ontario long-term-care accommodation charges
  • [ ] Ontario Estate Administration Tax rates
  • [ ] Every cited government page remains active

13.2.15 RRSP and RRIF Withholding Tax Rates — Residents Outside Quebec

Financial institutions withhold tax at source on lump-sum RRSP withdrawals and on RRIF amounts withdrawn above the annual minimum.

Withdrawal amount                     Withholding rate (outside Quebec)
Up to $5,000                                                              10%
$5,000.01 to $15,000                                                      20%
Over $15,000                                                              30%

Planning notes

- No withholding applies to the RRIF minimum amount — but the minimum is still fully taxable; consider requesting voluntary extra withholding or paying instalments.

  • A series of related withdrawals may be aggregated and withheld at the higher tier.

- Withholding is a prepayment only; final tax depends on total annual income and may be higher or lower (see §5.5).

  • Quebec residents face different combined federal/provincial withholding.

Verified on: [July15, 2026]

Official source: https://www.canada.ca/en/revenue-agency/services/tax/individuals/topics/rrsps-related-plans/making-withdrawals/tax-rates-on-withdrawals.html

Source-control note

Figures in this appendix were checked against official Government of Canada, Canada Revenue Agency and Government of Ontario pages on July 15, 2026. The figures should be reviewed at least annually and quarterly where OAS-related benefits are involved.

Educational guide only. Rules and benefit amounts change. Confirm important decisions with official sources and qualified professionals.