A client, age 60, is in a low tax bracket today and expects a larger...

The contribution decision turns on current versus future tax rates and the effect on retirement income. RRSP contributions are most powerful when the deduction is taken at a higher tax rate than the withdrawal rate. If the client is in a low bracket now and expects higher taxable income later, the RRSP deduction may be less valuable than the future tax cost. A TFSA provides no deduction, but qualified withdrawals are tax-free and do not increase taxable income or income-tested benefit exposure. Option A is incorrect because RRSP withdrawals are taxable. Option B ignores tax-sheltered growth and flexibility. Option D is impossible in ordinary RRSP planning because RRSPs must be matured by the end of the year the annuitant turns 71. The planner should still test exact brackets, pension timing, OAS exposure, available cash flow, and estate objectives. As a general rule in this fact pattern, TFSA priority is more defensible. References/topics: TFSA vs RRSP, marginal tax rate planning, retirement cash flow, income-tested benefits.

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