This TFSA Mistake Is Costing Your Family $238,000

When a Canadian retiree dies with $500,000 in a RRIF, CRA takes $238,000 of it. If that same money was in a TFSA — CRA gets zero. Most retirees never actually spend their TFSA. CPP, OAS, and RRIF withdrawals cover their living costs — and the TFSA sits there compounding, untouched, until death. That makes it a de facto inheritance account. Once you accept that, everything about how you invest inside it changes. In this video: the RRIF death tax calculation in full, why GICs are the wrong investment for a TFSA most people never touch, the RRSP meltdown strategy that could save your family $80,000-$150,000, and the three paths your TFSA can take at death — and which one your family needs to be on right now. This is educational content, not personalized financial or tax advice. For your specific situation, speak with a CPA or financial planner. 00:00 The $238,000 Problem 01:07 Why Your TFSA Is Already an Inheritance Account 03:46 The RRIF Death Tax Bomb 07:36 Three Paths Your TFSA Takes at Death 11:19 The $238,000 Side-by-Side 14:37 Why GICs in Your TFSA Are Wrong 17:02 The RRSP Meltdown Strategy 22:19 What to Do Before It's Too Late TFSA inheritance Canada, RRIF death tax Canada, TFSA beneficiary vs successor holder, RRSP meltdown strategy, TFSA investment strategy retirees, TFSA estate planning Canada, CRA RRIF final return, OAS clawback RRIF, TFSA room 2026, XEQT TFSA Canada Subscribe for more CRA and retirement tax strategy content. New video every day.