Free Canadian retirement calculator
A Canadian retirement calculator has to speak Canadian: RRSPs and TFSAs, CPP and OAS, the OAS clawback, and provincial tax. Most retirement tools are built for US 401(k)s and IRAs and simply don't fit. Coastline models the Canadian system natively — with real federal and provincial tax math and the math shown behind every number — alongside its US engine.
The Canadian accounts, and how they're taxed
The registered-account system is the heart of Canadian retirement planning, and each account is taxed on a different schedule:
| Account | Contributions | Growth | Withdrawals |
|---|---|---|---|
| RRSP / RRIF | Tax-deductible | Tax-deferred | Fully taxable |
| TFSA | After-tax | Tax-free | Tax-free |
| Non-registered | After-tax | Taxable yearly | Capital gains |
The RRSP works much like a traditional 401(k) (deduct now, taxed later), and the TFSA like a Roth (no deduction, tax-free out) — but the contribution rules, withdrawal flexibility, and the conversion to a RRIF at 71 all follow Canadian law.
CPP, OAS, and the clawback
- CPP (Canada Pension Plan). Based on your contribution history; you can start as early as 60 or delay to 70 for a larger benefit — delaying is valuable longevity insurance, much like delaying US Social Security.
- OAS (Old Age Security). A near-universal benefit based on years of residency, normally starting at 65, also deferrable to 70.
- The OAS clawback. Once your net income passes an annual threshold, OAS is progressively recovered — which makes managing taxable income (and the RRSP-to-RRIF drawdown) a real planning lever. This is exactly the kind of interaction a US-built tool misses.
- RRIF minimums. An RRSP must convert to a RRIF by the end of the year you turn 71, with minimum withdrawals each year after — Canada's version of required distributions.
Why Coastline's version is different
Most free calculators hand you a single headline number with the assumptions hidden. Coastline is built the opposite way:
- Real tax math, not a flat rate. It applies federal and state income tax, long-term capital-gains rules, and account-by-account treatment (taxable, traditional, Roth) — in both your working years and retirement.
- The whole journey. It models accumulation (saving and investing) and drawdown (spending it down), so you see how the plan connects end to end, not just one half.
- The math is shown. Every figure has a click-through breakdown of how it was computed — a level of transparency even paid tools rarely expose.
- US and Canada. It natively handles Canadian plans (RRSP, TFSA, CPP, OAS) alongside US accounts, which most calculators ignore.
- Free, no signup. No account, no email, no account-linking. Your inputs run the projection and are then discarded.
Coastline supports both Canada and the US; switch the country and it applies the right accounts, benefits, and federal/provincial tax rules. This is educational, not tax advice — model your own RRSP, TFSA, CPP, and OAS for free, with no signup.
Common questions
Does this retirement calculator work for Canada?
Yes. Coastline models the Canadian system natively — RRSP/RRIF, TFSA, non-registered accounts, CPP, OAS, the OAS clawback, and federal plus provincial tax — alongside its US engine. Just switch the country.
How is an RRSP different from a 401(k)?
They’re similar in spirit — deduct contributions now, pay tax on withdrawals later — but the contribution limits, withdrawal rules, and the mandatory conversion to a RRIF at age 71 follow Canadian law. A TFSA is closer to a Roth: no deduction, but tax-free growth and withdrawals.
What is the OAS clawback?
Once your net income passes an annual threshold, Old Age Security is progressively recovered by the government. Managing your taxable income — including how you draw down an RRSP/RRIF — can reduce it, which is a key Canadian planning lever US tools ignore.
Is the Canadian calculator free?
Yes, completely free with no signup, and it shows the federal and provincial tax math behind every figure.