RRSP Contribution Limit 2026

What is the RRSP contribution limit for 2026?

The RRSP contribution limit for 2026 is the lower of 18% of your 2025 earned income or $33,810, the annual dollar limit published by the Canada Revenue Agency. Members of a workplace pension subtract their pension adjustment. Any room you did not use in past years is added on top, so many people can contribute well above $33,810.

The dollar limit only matters for higher earners. You reach the full $33,810 once your 2025 earned income is about $187,800 or more ($33,810 divided by 0.18). Below that, 18% of your earned income is the number that counts.

This page covers how much you can put in. For what an RRSP is and how it works, read what is an RRSP. For the date contributions must be in to count for a tax year, see the RRSP deadline guide.

How is RRSP contribution room calculated?

Your RRSP contribution room, which the CRA calls your RRSP deduction limit, starts with unused room from earlier years. To that the CRA adds the lesser of 18% of last year's earned income or the annual dollar limit, minus your pension adjustment. A pension adjustment reversal adds room back, and a past service pension adjustment takes room away.

• Earned income includes employment income and net self-employment income, among other items. Investment income such as interest and dividends does not count.
• Pension adjustment (PA) appears in box 52 of your T4 if you belong to a registered pension plan or a deferred profit sharing plan. It reflects the value of the pension you earned that year.
• Unused room never expires. If you skip contributing for five years, all of that room is still available.
• Age limit. You can contribute to your own RRSP until December 31 of the year you turn 71.

Worked example with a workplace pension

Priya earned $80,000 of employment income in 2025. Her T4 shows a pension adjustment of $5,000, and she has $12,000 of unused room. 18% of $80,000 is $14,400, which is below the $33,810 limit. Her new room is $14,400 minus $5,000, or $9,400. Add the $12,000 carried forward and her 2026 RRSP deduction limit is $21,400.

Worked example at a high income

Marc is self-employed and earned $210,000 of net business income in 2025. 18% of $210,000 is $37,800, but the cap is $33,810, so his new room is $33,810. With no pension adjustment and no unused room, $33,810 is his full 2026 limit.

What happens if you go over your RRSP limit?

If your contributions go more than $2,000 above your RRSP deduction limit, you pay a tax of 1% per month on the excess for every month it stays in the plan. The first $2,000 over is a buffer that is not taxed, though you cannot deduct it until new room opens up.

To stop the tax, withdraw the excess or wait until new room absorbs it. If you owe the 1% tax, file Form T1-OVP and pay within 90 days after the end of the year. You can ask the CRA in writing, on Form RC2503, to waive or cancel the tax if the excess came from a reasonable error and you are taking steps to remove it.

Group RRSP contributions taken off your pay count toward your limit. If you contribute through work and on your own, add both together before you top up.