For Plan Sponsors

Purpose of this Plan Design Template

We've created this template About Your Group RRSP to give you:

·  an easy way to design and document your Manulife FutureStepTM Group RRSP plan rules.

·  a ready-to-print document you can give to your employees.

Tips for completing this Template

On the following pages, you can outline your Group RRSP plan design. Simply remove the information that does not apply to your plan design (along with any instructional text in blue) and fill in the blank fields accordingly. You will be left with the plan design rules that apply to your group. You can add your company logo or branding to your completed template.

Before you start, we suggest you read through document titled “Guide to Completing the Plan Design Template”, which your advisor can provide you if you have not yet completed the FutureStep Group RRSP online application. It will help you make plan design decisions, and give you tips on filling out this template.

About Your FutureStep™ Group RRSP

Here are the plan rules in place for _____ employees.

Add name of the employee class in the space above. If you do not have more than one employee class, enter 'all'. If you do have more than one employee class, insert the appropriate group name and complete a separate template for each group.

Who is eligible to join this Group RRSP? / You are eligible to join this Group RRSP.
Your spouse or common-law partner, if you have one, may open a Spousal RRSP. You must enroll in the Group RRSP before your spouse can enroll.
When do I become eligible? / You are eligible to join this Group RRSP now.
You will be eligible to join the Group RRSP after _____months OR years of employment.
OR
You are eligible to join and make contributions to this Group RRSP now. After _____ months OR years of employment,
Company name will begin contributing, according to the rules below.
Do I have to join the Group RRSP? / This Group RRSP is voluntary, which means you can choose whether or not to participate.
Select if applicable:
Please note: If you don’t participate, you won't receive Company name matching contributions.
Who will contribute to this Group RRSP?
Select one option and delete the rest. / OPTION A: Employee Contributions with an Employer Match
You contribute and Company name will also match your contributions.
If you join the Group RRSP, your contributions will be automatically deducted from your pay.
You'll contribute:
Select one of these responses:
_____% of your earnings each pay
OR
$_____ per pay
OR
up to the maximum allowed by Canada Revenue Agency (CRA)
Company name will match your contributions at a rate of _____% 100%, 50%, etc.
Select if applicable:
up to _____% of your earnings
OR
$_____ Flat dollar amount annually.
Who will contribute to this Group RRSP?
Select one option and delete the rest. / OPTION B: Employee Contributions Only
You contribute.
Select one of these responses:
You may contribute up to _____% of your earnings
OR
You may contribute up to $_____ per pay
OR
You may contribute up to the maximum allowed by Canada Revenue Agency (CRA)
Who will contribute to this Group RRSP?
Select one OPTION and delete the rest. / OPTION C: Employer Contributions Only
You don’t contribute to this Group RRSP. All contributions will be made by Company name.
Select one of these responses:
Company name will contribute _____% of your earnings
OR
Company name will contribute $_____ per pay
OR
Company name will contribute the maximum allowed by Canada Revenue Agency (CRA)
How are 'earnings' defined? / Select as appropriate for your business
Earnings is defined as the money Company name pays you during the year, including base salary, and including OR excluding overtime pay, commissions, bonuses, expense allowances, grants, premiums and other special payments.
May I make additional contributions throughout the year? / Yes. In addition to your payroll deductions, you may make lump-sum deposits at any time. You can do this by logging on to your account at www.manulife.ca/GRO and selecting 'Make a lump sum contribution'.
Please note: You are responsible for managing your own RRSP contribution limits.
May I withdraw money from this RRSP? / Select one of these responses:
You are permitted to withdraw from this Group RRSP while you are working with Company name.
OR
You are not permitted to withdraw while working with Company name with the exception of withdrawals related to the Home Buyers' Plan, Lifelong Learning Plan, and your voluntary contributions (any additional lump-sum contributions you may have made).
Always include this text:
Please note: Withdrawals may be subject to fees, adjustments and/or withholding tax.
How do I enroll? / Paper Enrolment
You can enroll in the Group RRSP by using the enrolment form found in your Enrolment Kit. Complete the form in its entirety and mail it to Manulife at:
Manulife Financial
Group Savings and Retirement Solutions
Client Services, KC-6
P.O. Box 396 Station Waterloo
Waterloo ON N2J 4A9
Online Enrolment
You can also enroll online by following the step-by-step instructions found in your Enrolment Guide. You need the following information to enroll online:
1.  Access Code: _____ (Insert the Access Code from your plan sponsor welcome letter)
2.  Policy Number: _____ (Insert the Policy Number from your plan sponsor welcome letter)
3.  Website: www.manulife.ca/GRO/enroll
How can my spouse enroll? / If you have a spouse or common-law partner who wants to open a Spousal RRSP, he or she will need to complete the RSP Application form. You can make a copy of the RSP Application form included in your Enrolment Guide, or print a copy available at www.manulife.ca/GRO.
Please note: You must first join the Group RRSP before your spouse can establish a Spousal RRSP. Please ensure you have completed an RSP Application form for yourself.