Canada Revenue Agency: How Retirees Can Earn an Extra $160 Per Week Tax-Free and Avoid OAS Pension Clawbacks

Here’s how retirees can use their TFSA to boost income while avoiding higher taxes and OAS clawbacks.

| More on:
Senior Man Sitting On Sofa At Home With Pet Labrador Dog

Image source: Getty Images

Canadian pensioners are constantly searching for ways to get extra returns out of their savings while trying to avoid giving a part of the earnings to the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA).

All investors want to put more money in their pockets without being bumped into a higher marginal tax bracket. In the case of those who are receiving Old Age Security (OAS), they also want to make sure the additional income doesn’t trigger the OAS clawback.

The CRA imposes a pension recovery tax on OAS payments when net world income tops a minimum threshold. In 2020, that number is $79,054. The tax is 15% on each dollar of income earned above this amount.

One way to boost income while making sure it doesn’t count towards the CRA clawback calculation is to generate the earnings inside a Tax-Free Savings Account (TFSA). The TFSA limit increased by $6,000 in 2020, and each Canadian resident now has as much as $69,500 in contribution space.

That means a couple could invest $139,000 and earn tax-free returns that wouldn’t push them into a higher marginal tax bracket or put OAS pensions at risk.

What investments are attractive?

Top-quality dividend stocks tend to be popular picks for generating income. The yields are better than what you get from GICs, and investors can benefit from capital gains if the share prices increase.

Let’s take a look at two high-yield stocks that might be interesting choices right now for an income-focused TFSA portfolio.

Inter Pipeline

Inter Pipeline (TSX:IPL) is a niche player in the Canadian midstream energy sector with oil sands pipelines, conventional oil pipelines, and natural gas liquids (NGL) processing facilities. The company also owns a bulk liquids storage business in Europe with terminals located in several countries in the region.

Last summer, the management team indicated it would consider a sale of the European assets to help fund the Canadian capital program. IPL is building a $3.5 billion polypropylene plant that will turn propane into raw material plastics. The Heartland Petrochemical Complex, as it is known, is expected to generate average annual EBITDA of at least $450 million once it goes into service in late 2021.

IPL stock is down on concerns it might have to take on too much debt to get the facility completed. Any news of an asset sale would likely drive the share price higher. A takeover at a much higher level is also a possibility.

In the meantime, the dividend is adequately supported by existing cash flow. The payout ratio through the first nine months of 2019 was about 80%. The current payout provides a yield of 7.9%.

CIBC

Investors often overlook Canada’s number five bank when choosing a financial institution for their income portfolios, but that might be a mistake. Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce (TSX:CM) (NYSE:CM) is making good progress on its strategy shift to diversify revenue and income outside of Canada.

The company spent more than US$5 billion in the past couple of years to buy businesses south of the border, and the CEO has indicated additional deals could be on the way, especially in the wealth management segment. CIBC generated about 17% of adjusted profits in the United States in fiscal 2019. That helps balance out the risks associated with CIBC’s heavy exposure to the Canadian housing market.

The bank has a strong capital position that should ensure it can ride out tough economic times, and the dividends should be very safe. CIBC maintained the payout through the Great Recession.

At the time of writing, the stock appears cheap, and investors can pick up a 5.2% yield.

The bottom line

CIBC and IPL pay attractive dividends that should be safe. These stocks, along with a number of other top TSX Index dividend payers, could easily create a portfolio that yields an average of 6%.

This would generate $8,340 per year for a couple with TFSA investments of $139,000. That’s an extra $160 per week in tax-free income that won’t put OAS pension payments at risk!

This article represents the opinion of the writer, who may disagree with the “official” recommendation position of a Motley Fool premium service or advisor. We’re Motley! Questioning an investing thesis — even one of our own — helps us all think critically about investing and make decisions that help us become smarter, happier, and richer, so we sometimes publish articles that may not be in line with recommendations, rankings or other content.

Fool contributor Andrew Walker has no position in any stock mentioned.

More on Energy Stocks

Arrowings ascending on a chalkboard
Energy Stocks

Beat the TSX With This Cash-Gushing Dividend Stock

Canadian Natural Resources stock is well set up to beat the TSX as it continues to generate strong cash flows…

Read more »

energy industry
Energy Stocks

2 TSX Energy Stocks to Buy Hand Over Fist Now

These two rallying TSX energy stocks can continue delivering robust returns to investors in the long term.

Read more »

green energy
Energy Stocks

1 Magnificent TSX Dividend Stock Down 37% to Buy and Hold Forever

This dividend stock has fallen significantly from poor results, but zoom in and there are some major improvements happening.

Read more »

oil tank at night
Energy Stocks

3 Energy Stocks Already Worth Your While

Here's why blue-chip TSX energy stocks such as Enbridge should be part of your equity portfolio in 2024.

Read more »

Solar panels and windmills
Energy Stocks

1 Beaten-Down Stock That Could Be the Best Bet in the TSX

This renewable energy stock could be one of the best buys you make this year, as the company starts to…

Read more »

Dice engraved with the words buy and sell
Energy Stocks

Is Enbridge Stock a Buy, Sell, or Hold?

Here's why Enbridge (TSX:ENB) remains a top dividend stock long-term investors may want to consider, despite current risks.

Read more »

Gas pipelines
Energy Stocks

If You Had Invested $5,000 in Enbridge Stock in 2018, This Is How Much You Would Have Today

Enbridge's high dividend yield hasn't made up for its dismal total returns.

Read more »

Bad apple with good apples
Energy Stocks

Avoid at All Costs: This Stock Is Portfolio Poison

A mid-cap stock commits to return more to shareholders, but some investors remember the suspension of dividends a few years…

Read more »