Retirement_Compensation_Arrangements_(Canada)
Retirement compensation arrangements (RCAs) are defined under subsection 248(1) of the Canadian Income Tax Act, which allows 100 per cent tax-deductible corporate dollars to be deposited into an RCA, on behalf of the private business owner and/or key employee. No tax is paid by the owner/employee until benefits are received at retirement. Contributions to an RCA should not exceed what is required to fund the "entitlement" under the "generally accepted guidelines" for pensions, which are:
a normal level of benefits would be the same benefit provided under a registered pension plan without regard to the Revenue Canada maximum. This would be 2% x years of service x final three-year average earnings or about 70% of pre-retirement income for an employee with 35 years of service.
Failure to follow the "generally accepted guidelines" increases the risk that CRA could deem the RCA not to be an RCA, but rather a salary deferral arrangement (SDA) with substantial tax and penalties payable.
To ensure the RCA qualifies under CRA's "generally accepted guidelines", an "integrated final earnings" calculation determines the entitlement from the RCA and the resulting maximum level of funding. This entitlement calculation must be reviewed and recalculated periodically as circumstances change (e.g., salary, RRSP and RCA investment performance).
An RCA can be funded using various investments including securities, mutual funds, and life insurance.