The attribution rule applies to spousal RRSPs and ensures that contributions made to a spousal RRSP cannot be withdrawn for at least three years after the date they were made. If the funds are withdrawn before the end of the three-year period, they will be treated as taxable income for the contributing spouse.
It's important to remember that only the annuitant of the spousal RRSP can withdraw funds from the account—not the contributing spouse.
Specific properties of the spousal RRIF
As with a regular RRSP, contributions to a spousal plan continue until the end of the year in which the spouse turns 71.
When a spousal RRSP is converted to a RRIF, it becomes a spousal RRIF. Since the account holder is not the person who contributed to the spousal RRSP, withdrawals will be made by the account annuitant.
Keep in mind that if a spouse contributes to a spousal RRSP during the year it is converted to a RRIF or either of the two preceding years, they may have income attributed to them if the annuitant withdraws more than the minimum annual withdrawal for that year.
