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GICs and GIFs: what's the difference?

July 14, 2021

GICs and GIFs: what's the difference?

GICs and GIFs – while their names are similar, these investments differ in how they work and their purpose. Find out how GICs and GIFs can complement each other in your portfolio. 

GICs and GIFs: what's the difference?

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In today’s investment marketplace, solutions exist that provide various types of guarantees to investors. Two of the more common solutions are guaranteed investment certificates (GICs)* and Guaranteed Investment Funds (GIFs). These investments have similar sounding names, but are quite different in how they work and in their purpose. Their differences, however, can complement each other in your portfolio.

  • Guaranteed Investment Certificates (GICs)*

    - Term deposits
    - Earn a guaranteed rate of interest
    - Protected from market exposure
    - May be redeemable prior to maturity

  • Guaranteed Investment Funds (GIFs)

    - Segregated fund contracts
    - Market participation with guarantees that protect principal
    - Potential creditor protection
    - Estate planning benefits

GICs are a simple and secure investment with no market exposure. You invest for a term and receive a guaranteed interest rate aligned with that investment term. GIFs, also called segregated funds, combine the benefits of mutual funds with the protection and estate planning advantages of an insurance contract. GIFs provide market exposure to help grow your savings. You can achieve growth in both GICs and GIFs, albeit more conservatively with GICs, and both are convertible into income sources at retirement.

Benefits & features GICs Sun Life GIFs
Market growth potential No Yes
Market risk No Yes
Liquidity Yes1 Yes2
Asset allocation portfolios No Yes
Guarantee of principal at maturity Yes - 100% Yes - 75%
Guarantee of principal at death Yes - 100% Yes - minimum 75%3
Ability to lock in market gains through resets Not applicable Yes4
Potential creditor protection in case of personal bankruptcy No** Yes, on all registration types provided a preferred beneficiary is named
Deposit protection in case of investment company insolvency Yes, through the Canada Deposit and Insurance Corporation (CDIC). Visit cdic.ca

Yes, through Assuris.

Visit assuris.ca

Ability to earn tax efficient income No Yes
Ongoing fees No Yes, in the form of Management Expense Ratios (MERs)

*In this document, “guaranteed investment certificates (GICs)” refers to GIC products that can be purchased from most financial institutions. These should not be confused with accumulation annuities, which are contracts only offered by insurance companies.

**There may be creditor protection for RRSPs in bankruptcy situations and under some provincial legislation for other creditor situations. Non-registered GICs do not have specific protection from creditors.

Consider adding GICs or GIFs to your portfolio. Your advisor can recommend the best percentage for you according to your desire for growth, risk tolerance, and time horizon until retirement.

Complementary investments

The market risk that GIFs bring to a portfolio is offset by the protective guarantees that they provide. These guarantees are a minimum of 75% of the principal or the market value in the investment – whichever is higher – on either maturity or death2. GICs in your portfolio can also offset market risk because they are not exposed to volatility and they earn reliable interest. Further, shorter term GICs, for example those less than one year, can bring an element of liquidity to your portfolio. Otherwise, withdrawals from GIFs for specific purchases or emergencies will diminish the values of the maturity and death benefit guarantees.

Growth potential and tax advantages GICs Sun GIF Solutions Sun Life Granite Balanced Investment Series A
Deposit $100,000 $100,000
Annual rate of return5 1.22% 4.63%
Interest earned $1,220.00 $0.00
Dividends earned6 $0.00 $0.00
Capital gains realized6,7 $0.00 $1242.69
Total investment value before tax7 $101,220.00 $104,632.00
Total investment income $1,220.00 $4,632.00
After tax investment income8,9 $671.00 $4,352.40
After tax investment value $100,671.00 $104,352.40

This information is for illustration purposes only. Please consult with a tax professional for further advice.

  • When it comes to building a portfolio to meet your needs and manage risk, both GICs and GIFs, with their complementary benefits, can help.

1For redeemable GICs, a market value adjustment may apply.

2Withdrawals reduce the value of contract guarantees.

3Assumes you choose Sun GIF Solutions Investment Series with its 75% death benefit guarantee. Alternatively, Sun GIF Solutions Estate Series provides a 100% death benefit guarantee.

4Assumes you choose Sun GIF Solutions Estate Series or Sun Lifetime Advantage GIF.

5Average 1-year-term GIC rate based on Canada’s “big five” banks as of Jan. 8, 2020.

6No dividends generated. Based on a capital gains allocation of $0.15. Assumes initial purchase unit price of $12.07.

7Assumes investments sold/mature after one year.

8After adjusting for a capital gains exclusion of 50%.

9Assumes a marginal tax rate of 45%.

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Sun Life Global Investments is a trade name of SLGI Asset Management Inc., Sun Life Assurance Company of Canada, and Sun Life Financial Trust Inc., all of which are members of the Sun Life group of companies.

SLGI Asset Management Inc. is the investment manager of the Sun Life family of mutual funds; Sun Life Assurance Company of Canada is the issuer of guaranteed insurance contracts including Annuities, and Segregated Funds.  Sun Life Financial Trust Inc. is the issuer of Guaranteed Investment Certificates.

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