CIBC Poll: 60% of Canadians plan to contribute to their retirement this year, but many won't follow through

Lack of funds cited as main reason they have not contributed in the past

TORONTO, Feb. 11, 2013 /CNW/ - A new CIBC (CM:TSX) (CM: NYSE) poll reveals 60 per cent of eligible Canadians say they will invest in their retirement this year; however research from previous years finds many Canadians will not follow through.

Key findings of the poll include:

• In total, 60 per cent of Canadians say they will contribute to an RRSP, TFSA, or both in 2013. Of these:
• 28 per cent say they will contribute to both their RRSP and TFSA this year
• 19 per cent say they will contribute to just their RRSP
• 13 per cent say they will contribute to just their TFSA
• Another 31 per cent say they won't make a contribution to their retirement fund this year, compared to only 28 per cent in 2012
• Last year, among Canadians who didn't contribute to their retirement savings, the top reason given (35 per cent) was that they did not have the money

"While it's positive that so many eligible Canadians plan to contribute towards their retirement this year, we know from previous years that only 26 per cent of eligible tax filers actually made a contribution to their RRSP but our data shows 47 per cent say they intend to contribute to their RRSP," said Jamie Golombek, Managing Director, Tax & Estate Planning, CIBC. "If you don't have the money to make a contribution to your retirement savings, the solution may come from having a hard look at your budget. Saving for retirement is really about delaying some consumption from the present to the future."

Budgeting Key to Making Retirement Savings Contributions

Mr. Golombek advises that while debt repayment is important, you shouldn't ignore your long term savings goal either.

"By restructuring your debt, or reviewing monthly cash-flow, an advisor can help you find extra money to contribute towards your retirement savings," said Mr. Golombek.

Once Canadians have identified some extra savings they can contribute to their retirement, an easier way to follow through with your good intentions is to set up a regular investment plan.

Making smaller, regular contributions throughout the year is much easier than making one large lump-sum contribution to your RRSP," said Mr. Golombek.  "If you set up your regular savings plan so that a portion of each pay cheque automatically goes to an RRSP account or your TFSA then you can't spend it."

CIBC offers the following tips for Canadians to maximize Retirement Savings:

• Meet with an Advisor and Review your Savings Goals and Plan
• Contribute Regularly
• Manage and Track Day-to-Day Spending

Additional Poll Findings:

Percentage of Canadians who intend to contribute to either an RRSP, TFSA, or both in 2013 compared to last year, by region:

Percentage breakdown of how Canadians plan to contribute to their retirement savings in 2013, by region:

Percentage of Canadians who plan to contribute to either an RRSP, TFSA, or both in 2013 compared to last year, by age:

Percentage breakdown of how Canadians plan to contribute to their retirement savings in 2013, by age:

Results are based on a CIBC poll conducted by Harris/Decima, via teleVox, which surveyed 1740 Canadians between ages 18 and 72 (the age at which RRSPs must be converted to a Registered Retirement Income Fund).  The associated margin of error is +/-2.35%, 19 times out of 20. Polling was conducted between December 13, 2012 to January 7, 2013.

CIBC is a leading North American financial institution with nearly 11 million personal banking and business clients. CIBC offers a full range of products and services through its comprehensive electronic banking network, branches and offices across Canada, and has offices in the United States and around the world. You can find other news releases and information about CIBC in our Press Centre on our corporate website at www.cibc.com.

SOURCE: CIBC