Your All-in-One Canadian Financial Dictionary
Personal Identification Number (PIN)
A private code used with your debit or credit card to confirm it’s really you making a transaction.
Portfolio
All your investments combined like stocks, funds, and other assets in one place.
Property insurance
Another name for home insurance coverage that protects your home and belongings from damage or loss.
Purchase interest
Interest charged on your credit card when you don’t pay your full balance by the due date.
Québec Pension Plan (QPP)
A retirement and benefits program for people who work in Québec. It works similarly to CPP but is managed separately.
Redeemable investment
An investment you can cash out before the end of its term, sometimes with conditions or fees.
Registered Education Savings Plan (RESP)
A tax-advantaged account to save for a child’s education. Your money grows tax-free, and the government may add grants to boost your savings.
Registered Retirement Income Fund (RRIF)
An account you switch to in retirement to withdraw income from your savings. You must take out a minimum amount each year, and withdrawals are taxed.
Registered Retirement Savings Plan (RRSP)
A retirement savings account that can help lower your taxes while you save for the future. Your money can grow over time without being taxed right away, and you usually pay taxes when you withdraw it later.
Residual value
What something is worth at the end of a loan or lease. It helps determine your payments and what the item might be worth later.