GIC versus GIC … What’s the difference? Time and money!

WEALTH MANAGEMENT

Confused? You would not be the first person to mix up
these two GIC investment vehicles: guaranteed
investment certificates and guaranteed interest
contracts. Although their acronym is the same, the
differences between these GICs could have material
implications for your money, especially when it comes to
transferring wealth to the next generation.

Individuals often find themselves holding a large portion of
their wealth in non-registered investments. This may have
been a result of an inheritance, shrewd saving, recent
downsizing to a condo or the sale of a business. Whatever the
scenario, the risk to the non-registered money if you pass
away is that your estate and this money will be subject to
probate – along with the delays and fees that come with it.

The perils of probate

Let’s first review this key concept: Probate is the legal process where a judge reviews the deceased’s will for validity and authenticity, and appoints the executor of the estate. It comes with a cost that is levied to the estate.

Each province has its own set of probate fees. For example, in Ontario on an estate worth $200,000, the probate costs would be about $2,250, or close to 1.1% of the estate’s value.

Moreover, in Ontario the probate process will delay the release of estate funds by six to nine months. In the meantime, while your estate’s funds are tied up in the courts, your surviving loved ones may be required to pay the cost for certain final expenses, such as funeral and burial costs, and the additional professional service fees that accompany the administration of the deceased’s estate, including accounting, legal and executor fees. In the end, for a $200,000 estate, these costs may subtract another $3,900: for a combined estate cost of $6,150, or close to 3% of your estate.

The GIC that protects more of your assets

So, why does this matter to your non-registered GIC portfolio? Well, if you would like to ensure a smooth, cost-effective transfer of your wealth to the next generation, then choosing the right type of GIC is important.

Although both bank and insurance GICs operate in much the same manner while an individual is alive, it is the treatment of the GICs within the estate that shows the important difference between the two.

If you hold an insurance GIC, it will help protect your non-registered assets from these influences, as you can elect a beneficiary to your insurance GIC that allows the non-registered assets to flow directly to them – and bypass probate. Holding a traditional bank GIC will expose your non-registered assets to the probate, potential delay and additional fees discussed above.

More information to help you plan

The table below expands on these similarities and differences between the two investment vehicles. Use this information as part of your overall investment planning, for a clearer picture that helps you make a more informed choice to fit your goals.