BMO Guardian to offer Registered Disability Savings Plan (RDSP)
Designed to provide advisors with an important tool in planning for the financial security of Canadians with disabilities
TORONTO, November 25,
2009 – BMO Financial Group today announced it will
be the first financial institution in Canada to offer the Registered
Disability Savings Plan (RDSP) directly to investment advisors through
BMO Guardian Funds.
“BMO was the
first to offer the RDSP nearly a year ago, and we are very pleased
to be the first major Canadian financial institution
to offer the RDSP to the broader investment advisor community,” said
Ross Kappele, Co-President, BMO Investments Inc. “The BMO
Guardian RDSP gives advisors direct access to the program along
with full sales and educational support, helping them to better
and more holistically serve clients and families of individuals
with a disability.”
Investors can now open a BMO Guardian RDSP directly through their
investment advisor.
The full line-up of BMO Guardian Funds, including a wide range
of investment solutions that are suitable for long-term investors,
are available for purchase within the RDSP. In addition, contributions
to an RDSP may qualify for payments from the Canada Disability
Savings
Grant (CDSG) program to a lifetime maximum of $70,000 per beneficiary.
Lower-income families may qualify for payments from the Canada
Disability Savings Bond (CDSB) program without having to make
a contribution
to an RDSP, up to a lifetime maximum of $20,000.
About the RDSP
- BMO was the first major Canadian financial institution to
offer RDSPs
- Contributions are not tax deductible but grow on a tax-deferred
basis;
- Earnings generated on contributions are tax-exempt while in the
plan;
- When earnings are withdrawn as part of a disability assistance payment,
they are taxable in the hands of the beneficiary (likely
to be taxed at a lower rate);
- The lifetime contribution limit is $200,000 per beneficiary. There
is no annual contribution limit;
- Only one beneficiary can be named per RDSP. A beneficiary can hold
only one RDSP.
- Contribution deadline to be eligible for the CDSG program is December
31, 2009.
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For
news media inquiries, please contact:
Toronto, 416-867-3996
Montreal, 514-877-1873
Vancouver, 604- 665-7596
Internet: www.bmoguardian.com