Passive Income: How to Invest Your TFSA Limit in 2025

TFSA income investors still have good options heading into 2025.

| More on:
space ship model takes off

Source: Getty Images

You’re reading a free article with opinions that may differ from The Motley Fool’s premium investing services. Become a Motley Fool member today to get instant access to our top analyst recommendations, in-depth research, investing resources, and more. Learn More

The Tax-Free Savings Account (TFSA) limit will be $7,000 again in 2025. Investors are now starting to plan their TFSA contribution for next year and are wondering which investments might be good to generate passive income.

TFSA limit increase

The government created the TFSA in 2009 to give Canadians a new option for putting money aside to meet financial goals. The name of the vehicle is somewhat misleading. It is more like a tax-free investing account.

Since inception, the cumulative maximum contribution space per person has grown to $95,000 in 2024 and will jump to $102,000 in 2025. The size of the annual TFSA limit increases in $500 increments, with adjustments depending on the rate of inflation.

Capital gains, dividends, and interest income earned on qualifying Canadian investments inside the TFSA are all tax-free. This means the full amount can be reinvested or removed as tax-free earnings. Any money withdrawn from the TFSA opens up equivalent new contribution space in the following calendar year in addition to the annual TFSA limit. As such, it makes sense to pull money out of the TFSA before the end of the year if it will be needed for a short period of time, and you think you might be able to replace it in the following months.

Seniors get an added benefit. The earnings from a TFSA do not count towards the net world income calculation used by the Canada Revenue Agency to determine the Old Age Security (OAS) pension recovery tax or OAS clawback, as it is widely known. Every dollar of net world income earned above the annual threshold triggers a $0.15 reduction in the total OAS that will be paid in the next payment period. In the 2025 income year, the number to watch is $93,454. For example, net world income of $103,454 in 2025 would lead to a $1,500 reduction in OAS paid in the July 2026 to June 2027 payment period.

Where possible, it normally makes sense for seniors to maximize the use of their TFSA space before holding income-generating investments inside a taxable account.

Good TFSA investments for passive income

Falling interest rates have led to a decline in bond yields, which, in turn, has triggered a drop in the rates offered on Guaranteed Investment Certificates (GICs). The brief opportunity last year that saw GIC rates go as high as 6% is long gone, but investors can still get rates in the 3-4% range from Canada Deposit Insurance Corporation (CDIC) members, depending on the term and the financial institution. This might still be adequate for investors who are willing to accept a lower yield and don’t want to put capital at risk of a loss.

For those who can handle some market volatility and are seeking better returns, TSX dividend stocks might be attractive.

Enbridge (TSX:ENB), for example, has increased its dividend annually for the past 29 years.

Created with Highcharts 11.4.3Enbridge PriceZoom1M3M6MYTD1Y5Y10YALLwww.fool.ca

More gains should be on the way, driven by higher revenue and cash flow from recent acquisitions and the ongoing $24 billion capital program. The stock has enjoyed a nice rebound over the past year, but investors can still get a 6% dividend yield from Enbridge.

The bottom line on TFSA passive income

The right balance between GICs and dividend stocks is different for every person. In the current market conditions, it is quite easy to put together a diversified portfolio of GICs and dividend stocks to get an average yield of at least 4.5%. On a TFSA of $102,000 in 2025, this would generate annualized tax-free passive income of $4,590.

Should you invest $1,000 in Enbridge right now?

Before you buy stock in Enbridge, consider this:

The Motley Fool Stock Advisor Canada analyst team just identified what they believe are the Top Stocks for 2025 and Beyond for investors to buy now… and Enbridge wasn’t one of them. The Top Stocks that made the cut could potentially produce monster returns in the coming years.

Consider MercadoLibre, which we first recommended on January 8, 2014 ... if you invested $1,000 in the “eBay of Latin America” at the time of our recommendation, you’d have $20,697.16!*

Stock Advisor Canada provides investors with an easy-to-follow blueprint for success, including guidance on building a portfolio, regular updates from analysts, and two new stock picks each month – one from Canada and one from the U.S. The Stock Advisor Canada service has outperformed the return of S&P/TSX Composite Index by 29 percentage points since 2013*.

See the Top Stocks * Returns as of 3/20/25

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.

The Motley Fool recommends Enbridge. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. Fool contributor Andrew Walker has no position in any stock mentioned.

Confidently Navigate Market Volatility: Claim Your Free Report!

Feeling uneasy about the ups and downs of the stock market lately? You’re not alone. At The Motley Fool Canada, we get it — and we’re here to help. We’ve crafted an essential guide designed to help you through these uncertain times: "5-Step Checklist: How to Prepare Your Portfolio for Volatility."

Don't miss out on this opportunity for peace of mind. Just click below to learn how to receive your complimentary report today!

Get Our Free Report Today

More on Dividend Stocks

a person watches a downward arrow crash through the floor
Dividend Stocks

Is This Correction Your Chance? Top 4 Canadian Dividend Stocks on Sale

Stocks may be down, but now is your chance to get some of these top dividend stocks on sale.

Read more »

Confused person shrugging
Dividend Stocks

Where to Invest $2,500 in the TSX Today

These TSX stocks offer attractive dividends and a shot at decent upside on a rebound.

Read more »

Pile of Canadian dollar bills in various denominations
Dividend Stocks

Invest $25,000 in These Dividend Stocks for $1,956.66 in Annual Passive Income

Dividends stocks can make a huge difference, even if shares don't move an inch. And these might be the best.

Read more »

Pile of Canadian dollar bills in various denominations
Dividend Stocks

Got $5,000? 5 Income Stocks to Buy and Hold Forever

These income stocks have a solid dividend-payout history that can help you earn stress-free passive income.

Read more »

grow money, wealth build
Dividend Stocks

Why I’d Invest $10,000 in This Undervalued Dividend-Growth Stock for Decades of Income

This undervalued dividend stock offers a high yield of over 8% and can help you earn more than $200 in…

Read more »

TFSA (Tax-Free Savings Account) on wooden blocks and Canadian one hundred dollar bills.
Dividend Stocks

Here’s Exactly How a $20,000 TFSA Could Potentially Grow to $200,000

Index funds like the iShares S&P/TSX Capped Composite Index (TSX:XIC) are tax free in a TFSA.

Read more »

Dividend Stocks

How I’d Invest $6,000 in Canadian Real Estate Stocks to Build Lasting Wealth

Canadian REITs on sale! See how grocery-anchored retail properties offering 9% yields could turn $6,000 into lasting wealth despite US…

Read more »

rain rolls off a protective umbrella in a rainstorm
Dividend Stocks

Economic Headwinds: Should You Still Consider Buying the Dip?

A market dip might seem like a bumpy road, but it can be far smoother in the future with the…

Read more »