Fiscal Agents Radar Screen:- Investor Warnings
Source: Financial Services Commission of Ontario, July 26, 2001
Title: Pension scams cost you more than retirement savings

Advertised "deals" allowing you to get money out of a locked-in RRSP, a locked-in retirement account (LIRA), a Life Income Fund (LIF) or a locked-in retirement income fund (LRIF) may cost you more in the long run than merely the loss of money for your retirement. The Financial Services Commission of Ontario (FSCO) is warning people to be aware of problems that may arise.

If someone is facing financial hardship and has a locked-in RRSP or LIRA, a LIF or a LRIF, FSCO has a branch that will assist people applying to unlock these funds. The Pension Benefits Act permits this in some circumstances.

"Companies claiming to be able to help you unlock funds for financial hardship are just charging an extra fee to fill out forms that are provided by FSCO," said Dave Gordon, Deputy Superintendent of Pensions at FSCO.

"At FSCO, we have staff who can help people access their locked-in accounts if they meet the financial hardship criteria. While all successful applicants will pay a fee, there is no need for individuals to purchase assistance from one of these companies. Why should they pay twice to receive the same money?" said Mr. Gordon.

The second scam involves "loans" made with the locked-in account as collateral. Advertisements appearing in newspapers claim to have found a loophole in the federal Income Tax Act allowing the withdrawal of locked-in pension funds held in a Locked-in Retirement Account (LIRA), Life Income Fund (LIF), or Locked-in Retirement Income Fund (LRIF).

A variation of this scam involves the purchase of shares in a private company using your locked-in account as security. Money is then loaned against the shares of the company you have purchased. These types of transactions are illegal under the Ontario Pension Benefits Act.

As a result, taxpayers who get involved in these schemes may also face large and unexpected tax bills. Canada Customs and Revenue Agency has confirmed that the tax loophole does not exist. If a locked-in account is used as a security for a loan or to purchase shares in a company that is not a "qualified investment" under the Income Tax Act, the locked-in account ceases to be qualified and income tax becomes payable.

As well, depending on the fees charged by these companies, victims of these scams may only receive a small portion of their locked-in retirement savings. In fact, a number of individuals have lost all of their locked-in retirement funds.

Visit the FSCO website at www.fsco.gov.on.ca for more information on these scams.