Example
$70k
projected balance at 18
The calculator
Your numbers, your plan.
RESP planning is mostly a grant-timing problem
The headline rule is simple: the first CAD 2,500 of annual contribution is the sweet spot because it unlocks the standard CESG match. Beyond that, the math becomes about remaining grant room, education timing, and whether your target is realistic inside RESP limits.
What to watch
Parents often track the current balance but forget lifetime CESG already received and lifetime contributions already made. Those two values matter because they change how much room is still left to do useful work.
Use the output the right way
If the plan shows a shortfall, that is not failure. It is the point where you decide whether to increase savings, lower the target, or cover the gap from non-RESP assets later.
Other Canadian FIRE tools
Canadian FIRE Calculator — Monte Carlo Retirement Simulator · Full Monte Carlo retirement model with 98 years of Shiller dataWithdrawal Sequencing Optimizer — Tax-Efficient Retirement Drawdown · Tax-efficient drawdown order for retirement accountsOAS Clawback Calculator — Avoid the 15% Recovery Tax · Avoid the 15% clawback on Old Age SecurityReal Estate Appreciation Calculator | Home Value & Equity Projection