A registered retirement income fund is a tax deferred retirement plan registered with the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA). It is usually used to hold property transferred from an RRSP and RPP. Establishing a RRIF can be done at anytime, but must be done no later than the year the annuitant turns 71.
A RRIF is a tax deferred retirement plan. Like a RRSP, income accumulated in the fund is not taxable until it is withdrawn.
Unlike a RRSP, once a RRIF is established, there can be no more contributions made to the plan nor can the plan be terminated except through death. A minimum mandatory withdraw from a RRIF has to made each year.