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Cross-border retirement, pensions and totalization
Retirement plans and social-security benefits do not follow one universal tax rule after a cross-border move. RRSPs, RRIFs, IRAs, 401(k)s, CPP/OAS and Indian retirement accounts require a review of residence, account type, withdrawals, withholding and treaty treatment.
Who it may apply to
People moving between the US, Canada and India, US persons with Canadian or Indian retirement assets, Canadian residents with US retirement income and workers with multi-country social-security contributions.
Records to collect
Plan statements, contribution and withdrawal history, pension slips, account opening records, residency timeline, withholding documents, prior returns and foreign tax paid evidence.
Filing and decision points
Identify residence during each payment period, test treaty treatment, reconcile withholding, determine foreign reporting, and separate pension income from wage income for exclusion and credit analysis.
Common mistakes
Assuming a local tax deferral applies in both countries, treating every account as a foreign bank account, missing withholding recovery opportunities, or mixing pension income with earned income.
Official sources
Reviewed by Gurleen Kaur, CPA (Washington State). Reviewed September 8, 2026.