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Investment products offered

Plans Available

Wawanesa Life has four savings/retirement plans available to meet your needs:

1. GRA - Guaranteed Retirement Annuity

The GRA is a Registered Retirement Savings Plan (RRSP). By investing in a GRA, you may defer taxes while you save for your retirement. Canada Revenue Agency requires that you mature your RRSP's at age 71.

2. RIF - Retirement Income Fund

The RIF is a Registered Retirement Income Fund (RRIF). Using funds accumulated in your RRSP, it will provide a regular income to you once you retire or at age 71 when your RRSP matures.

3. GIA - Guaranteed Investment Annuity

The GIA is not registered for tax purposes. This plan is ideal if you wish to save and invest money for any number of reasons such as supplementing your retirement savings, providing for a child's education or estate creation. Due to flexible product features, the GIA can serve as either a savings accumulation plan or a retirement income plan for non-registered funds.

4. SPIA - Single Premium Immediate Annuity

This plan allows you to use some or all of your accumulated savings to purchase a guaranteed level income for as long as you live. By purchasing an SPIA at retirement, you ensure that you do not outlive your savings. At your option, it may include a guarantee period such as 10 years. A 10 year guarantee period provides that you or your beneficiary would receive the income for at least 10 years.

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Investment Choices

The GRA, RIF and GIA plans provide you with a choice of investment options. Deposits you make to these plans may be directed to any of three investment choices:

1. Guaranteed Investment Accounts

Investment Accounts are purchased for fixed terms at guaranteed rates of interest. The amount you contribute plus the interest earned is fully guaranteed. A wide range of terms is available, from 1 to 10 years. See Current Rates and Values

2. Daily Interest Account

Interest on deposits is earned and compounded daily. The amount you contribute plus the interest earned is fully guaranteed. See Current Rates and Values

3. Market Participation Option (MPO) Segregated Funds

The MPO allows you to participate in the Canadian bond market and major stock markets in North America and throughout the world. The segregated funds are all passively managed index funds designed to achieve investment results based on the performance of each underlying index.

Wawanesa Life offers four MPO Segregated Funds:

  • Canadian Equity Index Fund - based on the TD Emerald Canadian Equity Index Fund.
  • U.S. Equity Index Fund - based on the TD Emerald U.S. Market Index Fund.
  • International Equity Index Fund - based on the TD Emerald International Equity Index Fund.
  • Canadian Bond Index Fund - based on the TD Emerald Canadian Bond Index Fund.

There are NO FRONT END OR BACK END LOADS with the Wawanesa Life MPO. Value guarantees are available at death and maturity. See Current Rates and Values

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Summary of Key Features

General Features
GRA RIF GIA
Taxation Status GRA RRSP RIF RRIF GIA Not Registered
Monthly Contributions Available GRA Yes RIF No GIA Yes
Possible Creditor Protection GRA Yes RIF Yes GIA Yes
No Probate of Legal Fees on Death GRA If there is a named beneficiary RIF If there is a named beneficiary GIA If there is a named beneficiary
Beneficiary Designation Available GRA Yes RIF Yes GIA Yes
Investment Option - Daily Interest Accounts
GRA RIF GIA
No Fees GRA Yes RIF Yes GIA Yes
Higher Rates on $1,000+ GRA Yes RIF Yes GIA Yes
Competitive with Money Market GRA Yes RIF Yes GIA Yes
Investment Option - Investment Accounts
GRA RIF GIA
No Fees GRA Yes RIF Yes GIA Yes
Fixed Terms 1-10 Years GRA Yes RIF Yes GIA Yes
Custom Terms on Request GRA Yes RIF Yes GIA Yes
Compound Interest GRA Yes RIF Yes GIA Yes
Annual Interest Payout GRA No RIF No GIA Yes
Flexible Payment Structures GRA No RIF Yes GIA Yes
Early Surrender Option GRA Yes RIF Yes GIA Yes
Investment Option - Segregated Funds (MPO)
GRA RIF GIA
No Front End Loads GRA Yes RIF Yes GIA Yes
No Back End Loads GRA Yes RIF Yes GIA Yes
Canadian Equity Index Fund GRA Yes RIF Yes GIA Yes
U.S. Equity Index Fund GRA Yes RIF Yes GIA Yes
International Equity Index Fund GRA Yes RIF Yes GIA Yes
Canadian Bond Index Fund GRA Yes RIF Yes GIA Yes
Maturity Guarantee GRA Yes RIF Yes GIA Yes
Death Guarantee GRA Yes RIF Yes GIA Yes
Competitive Fees GRA Yes RIF Yes GIA Yes

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  1. Wawanesa Life does not currently offer Individual life insurance or investment products to Quebec residents – check back with us soon.