Helping an adult child

Can I help my child buy a home without putting my retirement at risk?

You’d like to help with a home deposit. The money may be available, but it may already have a job in your retirement plan. Look at what you’d like to give, where the money would come from and what needs to remain available for you.

See what changes the picture

The part worth a closer look

Giving money now can change what you have to live on later.

Start with the purpose

A home deposit, a one-time expense and ongoing support place different demands on your savings. Clarify the help you want to offer and when it would make the most difference.

Check what it costs to give

You may need to take out more than you plan to give. Selling investments or taking money from an RRSP can trigger tax. Work out what would leave your accounts and what your child would receive.

Protect your own choices

Allow for your retirement, care costs and other family needs. Keep some money for surprises. Check that helping today still leaves enough for your life later.

This situation does not set an affordable gift amount or recommend a legal arrangement. Your own needs and the source of the funds need a separate review.

Bring both generations into the picture.

The useful question goes beyond whether the money is available. Consider how helping now changes your future income and flexibility. A gift, a loan and an ownership arrangement also carry different consequences; the tax, legal and family questions need to be considered together.

Questions to bring into your plan.

How much would leave my accounts to provide the support I intend?
What would that change about my retirement income and reserves?
Is this a gift or a loan, and how will it affect what each family member inherits?

Background and official sources

General Canadian tax and retirement information, reviewed September 2026. The visual shows how the choices connect. It does not estimate tax savings.

Explore a related question.

See how a focused planning review works Connect the lifetime picture

What would this mean for you?

Tell us what’s changing and what you want the money to do. We’ll discuss how we can help and what happens next.

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