I’m not exactly a fan of the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) for obvious reasons, but to their credit, they do occasionally publish some genuinely useful data.
One example is their annual TFSA statistics release. The latest version, published in 2025 using data from the 2023 contribution year, includes a table called “TFSA fair market value, contributions, and withdrawals by gender and age group.” It is about as straightforward as it sounds.
For investors aged 55 to 59, the average TFSA fair market value comes in at about $37,600. That is not a particularly large number, but it also is not that surprising when you consider what this group has been through.
Gen X investors lived through the dot-com crash, the 2008 financial crisis, and more recently, the COVID shock and inflation spike. Many also entered the housing market during periods of high interest rates or rising home prices, which likely diverted them away from investing.
Even so, that average number is a far cry from what is actually possible with consistent contributions over time. If you are in that age group and sitting around that level, the more important question is what to do next.
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If you have a higher risk tolerance
To be fair, not everyone is trying to max out their TFSA. By your mid-to-late 50s, you may already have other parts of your financial life in good shape.
You might have a workplace pension plan, a well-funded Registered Retirement Savings Plan (RRSP), or significant home equity built up over time. In that case, your TFSA can be used more strategically for growth.
If you are aiming to compound your investments over the next decade before retirement, something like the BMO Growth ETF Portfolio (TSX: ZGRO) can make sense.
This ETF holds a globally diversified mix of about 80% equities and 20% bonds. That allocation leans toward growth while still maintaining some stability from fixed income.
It is also simple to manage. BMO handles the asset allocation and rebalancing internally, so all you need to do is invest and reinvest distributions. The cost is reasonable as well, with a 0.18% management expense ratio.
If you have a lower risk tolerance
That said, an 80% equity allocation will not be suitable for everyone. If you plan to retire earlier or simply prefer a smoother ride, a more balanced approach may be more appropriate.
The BMO Balanced ETF Portfolio (TSX: ZBAL) offers a similar globally diversified structure but shifts the mix to roughly 60% equities and 40% bonds. That helps reduce volatility and provides a bit more income, though it comes at the cost of lower long-term growth potential.
Like ZGRO, it is designed as a one-ticket solution. Asset allocation and rebalancing are handled automatically, making it easy to maintain without ongoing adjustments. ZBAL also carries the same 0.18% management expense ratio.
