RRIF Minimum Withdrawal Table 2026: Every Age, Every Percentage

If you have a Registered Retirement Income Fund (RRIF), the Canadian government requires you to withdraw a minimum percentage each year. The percentage increases as you age, and it's based on your RRIF balance on January 1st. This page contains the complete 2026 RRIF minimum withdrawal table for every age from 65 to 95+, dollar examples at different RRIF sizes, and strategies to keep more of your money. Bookmark this page for reference.

When Must You Convert Your RRSP to a RRIF?

You must close your RRSP and convert it to a RRIF (or purchase an annuity) by December 31 of the year you turn 71. There is no minimum age to convert, so you can set up a RRIF earlier if you need retirement income before 71. However, once a RRIF is established, mandatory minimum withdrawals begin the following calendar year.

For example, if you turn 71 in 2026, you must convert by December 31, 2026. Your first required minimum withdrawal will be in 2027, based on your RRIF balance on January 1, 2027.

How RRIF Minimum Withdrawals Work

Each year, you must withdraw at least the minimum amount from your RRIF. Here is how the calculation works:

1. Determine your age (or your younger spouse's age, if elected) on January 1st of the withdrawal year
2. Look up the minimum percentage for that age in the table below
3. Multiply the percentage by your RRIF balance on January 1st
4. Withdraw at least that amount during the calendar year

There is no maximum withdrawal. You can take out as much as you want above the minimum. However, only the minimum amount is exempt from withholding tax at source.

Complete RRIF Minimum Withdrawal Table (2026)

The following table shows the minimum withdrawal percentage for every age from 65 to 95+. These rates have been in effect since the 2015 federal budget changes and remain current for 2026.

Using a Younger Spouse's Age

One of the most effective ways to reduce your required minimum withdrawals is to elect to use your younger spouse or common-law partner's age when calculating the minimum. This is a permanent, one-time election made when you first establish your RRIF. It cannot be changed or reversed later.

How Much Can You Save?

The savings depend on the age difference between you and your spouse. Here is an example with a $500,000 RRIF:

Even a 3-5 year age difference can save thousands per year in forced withdrawals, keeping more money growing tax-sheltered inside your RRIF. If you have not yet set up your RRIF and your spouse is younger, this election should be strongly considered. Learn more about coordinating RRIF withdrawals with your overall retirement plan in our RRIF Withdrawal Strategies guide.

Withholding Tax on RRIF Withdrawals

A critical distinction: minimum withdrawals have zero withholding tax. Withholding tax only kicks in on amounts you withdraw above the minimum. Here are the rates for Canadian residents (outside Quebec):

Withholding Tax Example

Suppose you are age 80 with a $500,000 RRIF. Your minimum withdrawal is $34,100 (6.82%). You decide to withdraw $50,000 total.

• First $34,100 (minimum): No withholding tax
• Next $15,900 (above minimum): 30% withheld = $4,770
• You receive: $50,000 - $4,770 = $45,230
• Full $50,000 is reported as taxable income on your T4RIF

Strategies to Minimize Tax on RRIF Withdrawals

1. Take Only the Minimum (When Appropriate)

If you have sufficient income from other sources (CPP, OAS, pensions, non-registered investments), taking only the minimum keeps more money growing tax-deferred inside the RRIF. No withholding tax applies, and you avoid unnecessarily inflating your taxable income.

2. Income Splitting with Your Spouse

After age 65, RRIF income qualifies for pension income splitting. You can allocate up to 50% of your RRIF withdrawals to your spouse on your tax returns. This can dramatically reduce your combined tax bill if one spouse is in a higher bracket. The election is made annually, so you can optimize each year. For a deeper look at retirement income sources and how they interact, see our guide to retirement income sources in Canada.

3. Tax Bracket Management

Calculate your total income from all sources (CPP, OAS, pensions, RRIF, investment income) and determine where you fall in the tax brackets. Withdraw from your RRIF up to the top of your current bracket, but avoid pushing into the next one if possible.

4. OAS Clawback Awareness

Old Age Security benefits begin to be clawed back when net income exceeds approximately $90,997 (2024 threshold, indexed annually). For every dollar above the threshold, you repay 15 cents of OAS. If your RRIF withdrawals push you over this threshold, the effective tax rate on those dollars jumps by 15 percentage points. Plan RRIF withdrawals to stay below the clawback zone when possible.

5. RRIF-to-TFSA Strategy

Consider withdrawing slightly more than the minimum from your RRIF (especially in low-income years) and contributing those after-tax dollars to your TFSA. The TFSA grows tax-free, withdrawals are tax-free, and TFSA assets do not affect OAS or other income-tested benefits. Over time, this shifts wealth from a taxable account (RRIF) to a tax-free account (TFSA).

6. Early RRIF Drawdown (Meltdown Strategy)

If you expect to be in a higher tax bracket later in retirement (due to rising RRIF minimums, pension income, or inheritance), it may make sense to draw down the RRIF faster in your 60s and early 70s when your income is lower. Paying tax at 20-30% now is better than paying 44-53% later, or having the entire RRIF taxed at the highest rate on your final return.

Dollar Examples at Different RRIF Values

To put the table into perspective, here is what minimum withdrawals look like at key ages for three common RRIF sizes:

Notice how the minimum withdrawal on a $1,000,000 RRIF reaches $200,000 at age 95+. At that point, you are forced to withdraw one-fifth of the account every year, which could push you well into the highest tax bracket. This is why proactive drawdown planning matters.

Key Rules to Remember

• Conversion deadline: RRSP must be converted to RRIF by December 31 of the year you turn 71
• First withdrawal: Due the year after you set up the RRIF
• Calculation basis: Always the RRIF value on January 1st
• No maximum: Withdraw any amount above the minimum
• Withholding: Zero on minimum, 10%/20%/30% on excess
• Spouse election: One-time, permanent choice at RRIF setup
• Pension splitting: RRIF income eligible after age 65
• At death: Rolls tax-free to spouse; otherwise fully taxable on final return

2026 Action Plan

1. Check your January 1 balance: Contact your financial institution for your official RRIF statement
2. Calculate your minimum: Use the table above or our RRIF calculator
3. Project total income: Add CPP, OAS, pensions, employment, and investment income
4. Identify bracket room: How much can you withdraw before hitting the next bracket?
5. Check OAS clawback: Will your total income exceed the threshold?
6. Consider TFSA transfers: Do you have TFSA room to shelter excess RRIF withdrawals?
7. Set your withdrawal schedule: Monthly, quarterly, or annual - based on cash flow needs
8. Review with your advisor: Ensure your withdrawal plan is coordinated with estate planning