Qualified RRIF securities

Question: I’m told that you can invest your RRIF in anything you like as long as it’s a “qualified security” by Revenue Canada. This concept is eluding me and I would like more clarification.

Answer:

A qualified investment for a RRIF is just about anything that qualifies for an RRSP – stocks, bonds, mutual fund units, GICs, CSBs, etc. You really don’t need to be concerned about it unless you want to invest in some type of security of a borderline nature, such as shares in a small business corporation. If you’re in that kind of situation, you should consult an accountant who has specialized expertise in this area.