RateBuddyInvesting guide DISABILITY SAVINGS

Compare Top RDSP Providers

  • Long-term planning
  • Benefits & account support

RateBuddy Investing Insight Last updated

Look for clear support at every stage.

Choosing an RDSP involves more than finding an investment account. The provider should be able to explain the paperwork, available investments and how contributions or withdrawals interact with government assistance.

What to check before you choose

Compare fees and service alongside those practical details. Take particular care with withdrawal and repayment rules so that the account can support the beneficiary’s longer-term needs.

  • Confirm eligibility and who can act as the plan holder before opening the account.
  • Ask the provider to explain any grant or bond repayment consequences before withdrawing.
  • Review investment choices, fees, transfer arrangements and accessible customer support.

Further reading:CRA — RDSP rules

Explore RDSP Investing Platforms

The institutions below are authorized issuers for Registered Disability Savings Plans in Canada for the 2026 tax year.

Ju
CIRO CIPF
Justwealth
Robo Advisor

Justwealth

RateBuddy 4.8/5
Hybrid Advice
$5k
Min. Deposit
Passive Indexing
Strategy
~0.20%
Avg. MER
Tax-Loss Harvesting Human Financial Advice
Key Highlights
CIRO Member U.S. Dollar (USD) Accounts Automatic Rebalancing Goal-Based Investing Tax-Loss Harvesting
TD Canada Trust
CIRO CIPF
TD Canada Trust
Online Broker

TD Direct Investing

RateBuddy 4.3/5
Google 4.9/5
Min. Deposit$0
FX Fee1.5%
Commissions & Fees
Stock Trading
$9.99
ETF Trading
Free
Options Trading
$1.25
Key Highlights
Free ETF Buy CIRO Member Bank-Owned / Big 6 U.S. Dollar (USD) Accounts Fractional Shares
Mo
CIRO CIPF
ModernAdvisor
Robo Advisor

ModernAdvisor

RateBuddy 4.0/5
$1k
Min. Deposit
Passive Indexing
Strategy
0.15% - 0.23%
Avg. MER
Socially Responsible Investing
Key Highlights
CIRO Member Automatic Rebalancing Socially Responsible Investing (SRI) CIPF Protected Mobile App (iOS & Android)

Super-charge your RDSP RateBuddy Calculator

Estimate how your deposits, Government Grant & Bond, and investment growth can build up.

  • Grant = Canada Disability Savings Grant (matching money).
  • Bond = Canada Disability Savings Bond (money even with $0 deposit, if income-eligible).
Your RDSP plan
Grants & Bonds stop after the year you turn 49; new deposits stop after the year you turn 59.
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Age 0–18 uses the Canada Child Benefit income; 19+ uses the beneficiary’s (plus spouse/partner).
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Mode
Your estimated growth
Estimated account value (end of period)
$0
Realistic total
$0
Theoretical total
$0
Realistic Theoretical
Your deposits
$0
Grant & Bond
$0
Investment growth
$0
Realistic = uses your income band + CRA annual caps + partial Bond if applicable. Theoretical = best-case within age windows, full Bond assumed, and auto top-ups to unlock full Grant.

Disclaimer: This calculator is educational and not tax, legal, or investment advice. RDSP eligibility, grants, bonds, and catch-up amounts depend on CRA rules and provider processing. Verify with your RDSP issuer and the CRA.

“Super-charge your RDSP™” is a trademark of RateBuddy (Swiftmind Inc.). Use of ™ indicates an unregistered trademark.

RDSP Hub • grants + bonds
New to investing? Start here

RDSP explained A “super-charged” long-term savings tool

The Registered Disability Savings Plan (RDSP) helps eligible Canadians with disabilities and their families save for the future. Its unique advantage is the potential for government grants and bonds that can dramatically accelerate long-term growth.

Government boosts
Grants + bonds can add “free” money
Long horizon
Built for multi-year planning
Eligibility matters
Requires DTC eligibility
The superchargers

Grants & bonds

Core benefit

What makes the RDSP special isn’t just the account — it’s the potential for government contributions. Depending on family income and contributions, the RDSP may receive:

Canada Disability Savings Grant (CDSG)
The government may match contributions — in some cases at a high rate (often described as “up to 3-to-1”). The exact match depends on eligibility and income rules.
Canada Disability Savings Bond (CDSB)
For some low-income families, the government may add money even without contributions (often described as “up to $1,000 per year” under certain conditions).
Important eligibility note
You generally need to be eligible for the Disability Tax Credit (DTC) to open an RDSP. If you’re not sure, start with DTC eligibility first — that’s the gatekeeper.
How people use it

“Saving” vs “investing” inside an RDSP

Decision guide

Because the RDSP is usually a long-term plan — and because grants/bonds can amplify results — many families treat it as a growth account (with risk managed to the timeline).

Safety
1) RDSP Savings / GIC approach
Simple + stable, but lower long-term growth potential
  • Lower volatility
  • Often used for shorter horizons
  • Typically less growth than diversified investing
Growth
2) RDSP investing account
Long-term strategy: diversify + keep fees low
  • Invest contributions + grant money together
  • Use diversified ETFs to reduce single-stock risk
  • Costs matter — fees compound against returns
Online Brokers Robo-Advisors
Educational content only — not financial advice. RDSP/DTC rules and grant/bond amounts depend on eligibility and can change.

See how much you can save with government grants.

Try the RDSP Calculator →

Ready to start? Explore your platform options.

Explore RDSP Platforms →

Quick summary

A Registered Disability Savings Plan (RDSP) helps a person with a disability save for the long term. The government can add extra money.

  • Who it’s for: People approved for the Disability Tax Credit (DTC) with a Social Insurance Number (SIN) who live in Canada.
  • How much you can add: No yearly limit, but a lifetime limit of $200,000 in total contributions. You can add money until December 31 of the year you turn 59.
  • Government money: You may get extra money called the Grant (Canada Disability Savings Grant) and the Bond (Canada Disability Savings Bond) until December 31 of the year you turn 49.
  • Taxes: The money you put in can come out tax-free. The government money, rollovers, and investment growth are taxed when paid out to the beneficiary.
  • When money must start coming out regularly: By the end of the year the beneficiary turns 60, the plan must start making regular yearly payments (called Lifetime Disability Assistance Payments).

Who can open an RDSP

  • The person is approved for the Disability Tax Credit (DTC).
  • The person has a valid Social Insurance Number (SIN) and lives in Canada when opening or contributing.
  • The plan is opened before the end of the year the person turns 59 (contributions allowed up to that date).

Government money: Grant and Bond (2025)

These amounts depend on family income and can change each year. Numbers below are for 2025.

Canada Disability Savings Grant (the “Grant”)

The Grant matches the money you contribute, up to $3,500 per year (lifetime limit $70,000). Grant eligibility ends after December 31 of the year the beneficiary turns 49.

2025 family net income How the match works Max Grant this year Your contribution to get it
At or below $114,750 Government adds 300% on your first $500, and 200% on your next $1,000. $3,500 $1,500
Above $114,750 Government adds 100% on your first $1,000. $1,000 $1,000

Example A (lower income)

You add $1,500 this year.

  • Government adds 300% × $500 = $1,500
  • Government adds 200% × $1,000 = $2,000

Total added by government: $3,500

Example B (higher income)

You add $1,000 this year.

  • Government adds 100% × $1,000 = $1,000

Total added by government: $1,000

Canada Disability Savings Bond (the “Bond”)

The Bond gives you money even if you do not contribute. It pays up to $1,000 per year (lifetime limit $20,000). Bond eligibility ends after December 31 of the year the beneficiary turns 49.

2025 family net income Bond this year
At or below $37,487 $1,000
$37,487–$57,375 Partial amount
Above $57,375 $0

Example C (no contribution)

You add $0 this year.

If your family income is within the lower range, the government still deposits $1,000 into your RDSP.

Quick tip

Your bank or credit union submits the Bond application electronically. Make sure you’ve signed the consent so you don’t miss it.

For ages 0–18, “family income” is the amount used for the Canada Child Benefit. From age 19+, it is the beneficiary’s income (plus spouse/partner if there is one).

Catch-up for past years (carry-forward)

  • If you were eligible in past years, you can “catch up” missed Grant and Bond for up to 10 years.
  • In one calendar year, you can receive up to $10,500 in Grant and up to $11,000 in Bond by catching up.
  • Grant and Bond eligibility stops after the year you turn 49, so plan catch-up well before that birthday.

Putting money in (contributions and limits)

  • No yearly limit. The total you can put in over a lifetime is $200,000 (across all RDSPs for the same person).
  • You can contribute until December 31 of the year the beneficiary turns 59.
  • Anyone can contribute if the plan holder says yes (for example, parents or grandparents).
  • Transfers (“rollovers”) from certain plans (like RRSPs or RESPs) may be allowed. These don’t earn the Grant and still count toward the $200,000 lifetime limit.

Taking money out (how payments work)

Two ways to take money

  • One-time payment (called a “Disability Assistance Payment”). You can request this when needed, subject to rules.
  • Regular yearly payments (called “Lifetime Disability Assistance Payments”). These must start by the end of the year the beneficiary turns 60 and then continue at least every year.

Taxes and the 10-year look-back

  • The money you personally contributed comes out tax-free.
  • The government money (Grant and Bond), rollovers, and investment growth are taxed to the beneficiary when paid out.
  • 10-year look-back rule: If you take money out within 10 years of receiving government money, you may have to pay back some or all of the Grant and Bond received during that 10-year period.

Tip: Start contributing early so more of that 10-year clock has passed by the time you need the funds.

How it affects other benefits

  • Federal benefits like Old Age Security (OAS) and Canada Pension Plan (CPP) are not reduced just because you have an RDSP.
  • Most provinces and territories do not count RDSP assets against disability/income assistance programs. The treatment of withdrawals can vary, so check local rules (for example, AISH in Alberta) before taking large amounts.

How to open an RDSP

  1. Get approved for the Disability Tax Credit (DTC) by completing Form T2201 (skip if already approved).
  2. Choose a provider (bank, credit union, or investment firm) and bring SIN and DTC details.
  3. Ask the provider to apply for the Grant and/or Bond. Setting up a small automatic monthly contribution helps you capture the full matching.

Tips that help

  • If your family income is under the higher threshold, try to contribute $1,500 each year to receive the full $3,500 Grant.
  • If your income is low enough, make sure Bond consent is on file—even if you can’t contribute this year.
  • Use your 30s and 40s to catch up missed years: you can receive up to $10,500 Grant and $11,000 Bond in a single calendar year.
Try our RDSP calculator
Estimate your Grant and Bond based on income and contributions, including catch-up.

Words explained (glossary)

Beneficiary
The person with the disability who benefits from the plan.
Plan holder
The person (or people) who open and control the RDSP. This can be the beneficiary, a parent/guardian, or a legal representative.
Grant (Canada Disability Savings Grant)
Extra money the government adds when you contribute, based on family income, up to yearly and lifetime limits.
Bond (Canada Disability Savings Bond)
Money the government can add even if you do not contribute, based on family income, up to yearly and lifetime limits.
10-year look-back
A rule that can require you to pay back some government money if you withdraw within 10 years of receiving it.

Common questions

Is there a yearly limit on how much I can contribute?

No. There is no yearly limit, only a lifetime limit of $200,000 per beneficiary.

Do I get a tax deduction for my contributions?

No. Your contributions are not tax-deductible. However, the growth and the government money are taxed only when paid out.

Can I catch up on missed years?

Yes. You can catch up for up to 10 years if you were eligible in those years (yearly caps apply).

When must the plan start paying out yearly?

By December 31 of the year the beneficiary turns 60.

Will an RDSP affect other benefits?

RDSP assets are generally ignored for federal benefits. Provinces and territories usually ignore the assets too, but the treatment of withdrawals can differ. Check local rules before large withdrawals.