Registered Retirement Savings Plans and
Registered Retirement Income Funds (RRSPs/RRIFs)

Requirements for issuers and carriers to set up an electronic application form for an RSP or a RIF

When creating an electronic RSP or RIF application form that an annuitant can complete and submit through the Internet, you must follow these guidelines:

• You must demonstrate how you will safeguard the identity of the annuitant.
• The electronic application form must include the annuitant's name, address, social insurance number (SIN) and date of birth.
• Any reference on the application form to RSP, RRSP, RIF, or RRIF must be appropriate.
• You must specify whether you will offer non-spousal and spousal plans. If so, you must create a separate screen flow for each type of plan. The contract is established between the issuer or carrier and the annuitant. In the case of spousal plans, you must be able to confirm that the annuitant, and not the spouse of the annuitant, is submitting the application form.
• If you offer a spousal plan, you must ask for the name and SIN of the spousal contributor.
• Indicate how you expect the contributor to make contributions (e.g., mailed cheque, automatic transfer from their account).
• You must confirm the method for receiving electronic applications near the RRSP contribution deadline. A contribution has to be received before an RSP contract becomes valid, which may affect the year in which the contributor can deduct the contributions on his or her return.
• The plan terms or declaration of trust must be available for the annuitant to view and print.
• There must be a feature where the annuitant can agree to the terms of the plan. The clause has to state that the annuitant requests the issuer or carrier to apply for registration of the plan under section 146 or section 146.3 of the Income Tax Act, as applicable. There must be a feature that does not allow the annuitant to submit an incomplete form (blank fields).
• There must be a feature for the annuitant to review and change any information before submitting the application.
• The annuitant must receive confirmation that the application has been received. The confirmation must include the date, time, and the contract number.

Send us the hard copy of the screen flows for our approval. We will also require copies of "Help" screens and links that assist the annuitant in getting more information during their application process.

To help us the review the document, make sure the pages are in a logical sequence and numbered. If the electronic process is for an existing specimen plan or fund, make sure the specimen plan number and specimen plan name is clearly identified.