Protecting Retirement Savings from Seizure

Miriam Maisonville, The Vancouver Sun

November 25, 2008

Canada

Economic uncertainty is at the forefront of everyone's thoughts these days. Personal bankruptcies are on the rise and individuals cannot help but feel vulnerable. Worry surrounding the future ability in this economic climate to provide for our retirement is among the many issues that concern British Columbians today.

The vast majority of British Columbian workers, entrepreneurs, small business owners and professionals do not have access to corporate or government pension plans -- they must save for their retirement themselves.

Government policies, both federal and provincial, encourage these individuals to plan and save for their retirement through vehicles such as Registered Retirement Savings Plans (RRSPs). What many people do not realize is that, up until now, pension plans were exempt from seizure from creditors, but individual savings through RRSPS, DPSPs, and RRIFs were not protected under B.C. law.

This anomaly was recently righted last Thursday when the Minister of Finance Colin Hansen introduced legislation to protect these invaluable savings instruments from seizure by creditors through provisions in the Economic Incentive and Stabilization Statues Amendment Act.

The significance of the government's actions is immeasurable. According to the government's 2008 Small Business Profile, small businesses in B.C. represent 98 per cent of all businesses, employ over 46 per cent of the population, and represent 33 per cent of the province's GDP.

First introduced in the 1950s, RRSPs have become an essential part of Canada's retirement system. According to Statistics Canada, as of 2005, Canadians have saved $600 billion in accumulated RRSP assets. Today, RRSPs are more popular than employer pension plans.

Unquestionably, it remains the duty of debtors to pay their creditors. Those who are self-employed, however, are now on equal footing with people with government or company pensions in that their Registered Retirement Savings can now enjoy the same protection as those who benefit from a registered employer pension plan.

Many professions are undertaking increasing responsibilities and new liabilities. Greater protection of their savings would not reduce liability, but would offer some security that their retirement savings would not be at risk.

Introduced by the government as part of a package to offset some of the difficult economic times we are experiencing, this measure injects fairness into the system, and could not come at a more appropriate time.

Most of us will never have to rely on this measure. But we can all derive value from it, in knowing that should circumstances require it, our RRSPs will be there when we need them -- just as a pension would be. Knowing that we can remain self-sufficient in retirement and not have to rely on any social safety net is invaluable to an aging population.

Miriam Maisonville is the president of the Canadian Bar Association, B.C. Branch.

Copyright © Global Action on Aging
Terms of Use  |  Privacy Policy  |  Contact Us