Adult Financial Literacy Guide | Page 18

Registered Education Savings Plan (RESP) Types of plans: You can choose from three types of plans:  Individual plan. For a single beneficiary, who does not have to be a blood relative of the subscriber.  Family plan. For multiple beneficiaries, who are connected by blood or adoption to the subscriber. A government grant paid into an RESP may be shared among all the beneficiaries.  Group plan. Your savings are pooled with other people. The money your child receives is based on the amount of money in the pool and the total number of students of the same age who are in school that year. Photo Credit: VisualHunt.com Take Note! Some banks or credit unions will charge a fee to open an RESP. Ask first! RESP Tips Decide on the type of plan. Choose an individual, family or group plan— whichever suits you best. Ask questions - each plan has its pros and cons. Be informed! Ask about fees and restrictions. Some RESP providers charge service fees; others do not. Ask the institution to explain any fees, limits, penalties or promises to make regular payments. Also ask about investment and withdrawal options. Make sure you understand all the terms and conditions. Carefully read the information you are given. If you don’t understand something, don’t be afraid to ask about it. It’s your money! Shop around to find the plan that best suits your needs. Start early to maximize the benefits. 18