Mireille and Mathieu, who have been married for 15 years, have two children aged 9...

According to the LLQP Segregated Funds and Annuities and Investment & Savings curriculum, one of the most effective income-tax-saving strategies for couples with unequal incomes is the use of a spousal RRSP. A spousal RRSP allows the higher-income spouse to contribute to an RRSP that is registered in the lower-income spouse’s name, while still claiming the tax deduction personally.

In this case, Mathieu earns $80,000 and is therefore in a higher marginal tax bracket than Mireille, who earns only $20,000 working part-time. From a tax-planning perspective, RRSP contributions are most valuable when deducted against higher income, because they reduce taxable income at a higher marginal rate. The LLQP study materials emphasize that RRSP contribution limits are determined by the contributor’s unused RRSP room, not the planholder’s room when using a spousal RRSP.

Although Mireille has $30,000 of unused RRSP room, that amount is irrelevant if Mathieu is the contributor. Mathieu has $80,000 of unused RRSP contribution room, which means he can contribute up to $80,000 into a spousal RRSP in Mireille’s name. Mathieu would receive the full tax deduction, reducing his taxable income significantly, while the funds would belong to Mireille for future retirement income purposes.

This strategy also supports income splitting in retirement, which is a key LLQP planning concept. When Mireille withdraws funds from the spousal RRSP in retirement (subject to attribution rules), the income will be taxed in her hands at a lower marginal tax rate, further reducing the family’s overall tax burden.

Options C and D are incorrect because Mireille, as the lower-income spouse, would gain little immediate tax benefit from making RRSP contributions. Option A is incorrect because it incorrectly limits Mathieu’s contribution to Mireille’s unused RRSP room rather than Mathieu’s own contribution limit.

Therefore, under LLQP-approved tax planning principles, the correct strategy is Option B, where Mathieu contributes up to $80,000 to an RRSP in Mireille’s name.