RRSP Contribution Limit 2026
The 2026 RRSP dollar limit is $33,810 — the lesser of that cap or 18% of your 2025 earned income. This page also disambiguates the two things people mean by "RRSP deadline 2026".
Calculate your exact room
This page covers the CRA dollar limit and deadlines. To work out your personal deduction limit including PA, carry-forward, and an over-contribution check, use the calculator.
The RRSP deadline — two different dates
"RRSP deadline 2026" gets searched for two different reasons. Here's both, disambiguated:
Deadline that falls IN 2026
March 2, 2026
Last day to contribute for the 2025 tax year. 60 days after Dec 31, 2025 — the 60th day (March 1) was a Sunday, so it rolls to Monday.
Deadline FOR the 2026 tax year
March 1, 2027
Last day to contribute for the 2026 tax year itself — this one lands in early 2027, 60 days after Dec 31, 2026.
Source: CRA: Important dates for RRSPs, HBP, LLP, FHSAs and more.
RRSP dollar limits by year
Each year's dollar cap is set the year BEFORE it applies — it equals that prior year's money-purchase (MP) pension limit. That's also why the 20261 RRSP dollar limit is already known: $35,390.
| Year | Dollar limit |
|---|---|
| 2026 | $33,810 |
| 2025 | $32,490 |
| 2024 | $31,560 |
| 2023 | $30,780 |
| 2022 | $29,210 |
| 2021 | $27,830 |
| 2020 | $27,230 |
| 2019 | $26,500 |
| 2018 | $26,230 |
| 2017 | $26,010 |
| 2016 | $25,370 |
18% of earned income, and carry-forward
Every year, the CRA gives you new RRSP room equal to the lesser of 18% of your previous year's earned income, or the annual dollar limit ($33,810 for 2026). The 18% rate hits the dollar cap once 2025 earned income reaches roughly $187,833 — above that, everyone gets the same $33,810 of new room (before PA or carry-forward).
Carry-forward: unused room from every year since 1991 accumulates indefinitely and adds to your total deduction limit — you never lose it by not contributing.
Over-contribution: the CRA allows a $2,000 lifetime cushion above your limit without penalty. Beyond that, a 1%-per-month penalty applies until withdrawn. Use the RRSP over-contribution penalty calculator to check before it compounds.
Where to find your personal limit
This page shows the CRA-wide dollar cap. Your actual deduction limit — after Pension Adjustments and carry-forward — is on your latest Notice of Assessment or in CRA My Account. Use the room calculator above to model it before you check.
Frequently asked questions
What is the RRSP contribution limit for 2026?
The 2026 RRSP dollar limit is $33,810. Your actual room is the LESSER of that dollar cap or 18% of your 2025 earned income, minus any Pension Adjustment, plus unused carry-forward from prior years.
What is the RRSP deadline for 2026?
"RRSP deadline 2026" can mean two different things. If you mean the deadline that falls in 2026, it's March 2, 2026 — that's the last day to contribute for the 2025 tax year (60 days after December 31, 2025; the exact 60th day, March 1, was a Sunday, so it rolled to Monday). If you mean the deadline for contributions counted toward the 2026 tax year, that's March 1, 2027 — 60 days after December 31, 2026. Both are covered below.
How is RRSP contribution room calculated?
New room each year equals 18% of your previous year's earned income, capped at the annual dollar limit ($33,810 for 2026). That amount is reduced by any Pension Adjustment (PA) from an employer pension or DPSP, and increased by unused room carried forward from every year since 1991.
What happens if I over-contribute to my RRSP?
The CRA allows a $2,000 lifetime cushion above your deduction limit without penalty (though it isn't deductible). Beyond that cushion, a 1%-per-month penalty tax applies until the excess is withdrawn. Use the RRSP over-contribution penalty calculator to estimate the cost.
Where do I find my exact RRSP deduction limit?
Your Notice of Assessment (or Form T1028) shows your CRA-calculated RRSP deduction limit, which already accounts for prior Pension Adjustments and carry-forward. You can also check CRA My Account. This page and our calculator are projections to help you plan or sanity-check that number.