6 rules for a successful RRSP

Essentials for RRSP investing

Anyone can earn a respectable return in a Registered Retirement Savings Plan (RRSP) over a period of time by following some basic investment rules and choosing their securities with care. Here’s what you need to know.

Rule 1: Diversify

Never put all your eggs in one basket. Diversification is critical to success. Make sure all three core asset groups are represented in your portfolio: cash (I suggest 5%-10% of the total), bonds (25%-35%), and stocks (50%-65%).

This is a relatively defensive asset mix, with a maximum of two-thirds of the RRSP portfolio exposed to the stock market. That brings me to the second fundamental point of RRSP investing.

Rule 2: Don’t lose money

Think of your RRSP as your personal pension plan, and make investment decisions accordingly. This is not a place to gamble with your money; if you want to invest in speculative penny stocks, do it in a non-registered account where at least you can claim a capital loss if you guess wrong.

RRSP investing requires careful risk/reward analysis. Your goal is to choose securities that, in combination, will generate a decent return without placing you in harm’s way when stock markets go into reverse. That does not mean you will never lose ground. But any losses should be small and temporary. Over time, an average annual compounded rate of return in the 6% range should be achievable.

Rule 3: Don’t invest in what you don’t understand

The third basic rule of RRSP investing is to avoid securities you do not understand. The brilliant financial engineers on Bay St. and Wall St. are constantly creating flashy new products that in some cases are so complex that even experienced financial advisors have trouble explaining them to clients. Often, these products are designed to sell by offering high commissions to brokers and undeliverable promises to investors, such as betting on the stock market without risk. Most should be ignored. There are plenty of easy-to-understand alternatives from which to choose.

Rule 4: Keep costs low

The next basic rule is to keep costs low. High expenses eat away at your bottom line. So, avoid excessive trading within the RRSP (remember, brokerage fees are not tax-deductible if incurred within a registered plan). And stay away from most high-MER mutual funds. I say “most” because there are a few exceptions where the manager earns his/her outrageous pay by consistently delivering superior performance.

Rule 5: Pay attention

Next, pay attention to your plan. While I do not encourage frequent trades, neither do I recommend an “invest-it-and-forget-I” attitude. There is too much volatility in the markets and too much economic uncertainty right now. You need to keep a close eye on the situation and, when necessary, adjust your asset mix and the securities you hold. At a minimum, review your assets quarterly.

Rule 6: Keep it going

Finally, keep contributing. This may seem like I am stating the obvious, but the reality is that on a percentage basis, fewer Canadians are contributing to an RRSP each year. I realize that finding money for an RRSP is not always easy, especially if your household budget is stretched to the limit. But there are things you can do if you’re really serious about retirement savings.

One way is to earmark some of any windfall money you receive for your RRSP – say 25% at a minimum. Windfall money can include everything from a tax refund to a salary increase. Another strategy is to set up an automatic deduction plan at your financial institution. Arrange to have a specific amount withdrawn from your account every month and credited to your RRSP. Even if you can only afford $50 a month, it’s a start and you can gradually add to it each year.

If you don’t put any money in the plan, all the other advice is useless.

Gordon Pape is one of Canada’s best-known personal finance commentators and investment experts. He is the publisher of The Internet Wealth Builder and The Income Investor newsletters, which are available through the Building Wealth website.

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Notes and Disclaimer

The foregoing is for general information purposes only and is the opinion of the writer. Securities mentioned carry risk of loss, and no guarantee of performance is made or implied. This information is not intended to provide specific personalized advice including, without limitation, investment, financial, legal, accounting, or tax advice. Always seek advice from your own financial advisor before making investment decisions.