RDSP: Canada's most generous savings plan
For every $1 you put in, the federal government can add up to $3 — plus up to $1,000 a year in bonds with no contribution required. Here's how to make the most of it in 2026.
Book a free consultationWho qualifies
- Approved for the Disability Tax Credit (form T2201)
- Has a valid Social Insurance Number
- Is a resident of Canada when the plan is opened and when contributions are made
- Is 59 or younger when the plan is opened (contributions allowed until the end of the year they turn 59)
The Canada Disability Savings Grant (CDSG)
The government matches your contributions based on family net income. For 2026, eligibility is assessed using 2024 income.
| Family net income (2026) | Matching rate | Max grant / year |
|---|---|---|
| $117,045 or less | $3 per $1 on the first $500 $2 per $1 on the next $1,000 | $3,500 (on $1,500 contributed) |
| Over $117,045 | $1 per $1 on the first $1,000 | $1,000 (on $1,000 contributed) |
Lifetime grant maximum: $70,000. Grants are paid until December 31 of the year the beneficiary turns 49.
The Canada Disability Savings Bond (CDSB)
No contribution required — the bond is paid simply for having an open RDSP and filing tax returns.
| Family net income (2026) | Bond per year |
|---|---|
| $38,237 or less | $1,000 |
| $38,237 – $58,523 | Partial bond, reduced as income rises |
| $58,523 or more | No bond |
Lifetime bond maximum: $20,000. For beneficiaries 19 and older, family income is the beneficiary's own income plus a spouse or partner's.
Catching up on missed years
Grant and bond entitlements carry forward for up to 10 years. In a single year you can receive up to $10,500 in grants and $11,000 in bonds. If the beneficiary was recently approved for the DTC, ask CRA to apply the approval retroactively — it can unlock years of past entitlements.
The 10-year holdback rule
Government money must stay in the plan for 10 years. If you withdraw, close the plan, or the beneficiary passes away, grants and bonds paid in the previous 10 years (the Assistance Holdback Amount) may have to be repaid. For a withdrawal, the repayment is $3 for every $1 withdrawn, up to the holdback amount. Treat the RDSP as a long-term plan, not an emergency fund.
Taking money out: DAP vs LDAP
Disability Assistance Payments (DAP)
One-time, lump-sum withdrawals that can be requested at any time (subject to the holdback rule and plan terms).
Lifetime Disability Assistance Payments (LDAP)
Annual payments that must begin by the end of the year the beneficiary turns 60. The yearly amount is set by a formula based on plan value and life expectancy (to age 83), and continues for life.
If a doctor certifies that the beneficiary's life expectancy is 5 years or less, the plan can be designated a Specified Disability Savings Plan, allowing up to $10,000 a year of taxable withdrawals without triggering repayment.
Rollovers from RRSPs, RRIFs and RESPs
When a parent or grandparent passes away, their RRSP, RRIF, RPP, PRPP or SPP can be rolled into the RDSP of a financially dependent child or grandchild with a disability, tax-deferred, up to the $200,000 lifetime contribution limit. RESP investment income can also be rolled over in specific situations. Rollovers do not attract grants.
Alberta benefits: AISH and ADAP
Under Alberta's AISH rules, RDSPs are exempt assets and RDSP payments are exempt income, so saving in an RDSP does not reduce AISH. The same is true under the Alberta Disability Assistance Program (ADAP): alberta.ca lists RDSP savings as an exempt asset and RDSP payments as exempt income. Rules can change, so if your situation is unusual, check with Alberta Supports.
Sources: ESDC – grants and bonds · CRA – RDSP · Alberta – AISH eligibility · Alberta – ADAP eligibility. Figures current for 2026; verified September 2026.
Estimate your grants and bonds
RDSP grant & bond estimator
Hypothetical illustration using 2026 program rules; assumes rates and rules stay the same and returns are constant. Not a guarantee of future values. Segregated fund values fluctuate.
RDSP Essentials
RDSP questions
Who can open an RDSP?
Are RDSP contributions tax-deductible?
Will an RDSP affect AISH in Alberta?
What happens if I stop qualifying for the DTC?
Can I catch up on grants I missed?
What is the $200,000 limit?
Ready to open or review an RDSP?
We'll check your DTC status, calculate missed grants and bonds, and help you set up a plan that fits your family.