Required Locked-In Accounts Withdrawal/Unlocking Forms
Learn the forms required to withdraw/unlock funds from a locked-in accounts
Withdrawing or unlocking funds from a Locked-In Accounts (e.g. LIRA) in Canada is subject to specific rules and conditions that vary by province or territory. LIRAs are designed to hold pension funds transferred from a registered pension plan (RPP), and access to these funds is generally restricted until retirement age. However, under certain circumstances—such as financial hardship, small balance unlocking, shortened life expectancy, or non-residency—early withdrawals may be permitted.
Each jurisdiction has its own legislation governing pension plans and corresponding unlocking criteria. To complete a withdrawal, the account holder (and in some cases their spouse or common-law partner) must submit the appropriate government-approved forms along with any required documentation to their financial institution or plan administrator.
Ontario
- Form 4.1 - Waiver of Survivor’s Benefit from an Ontario Locked-in Account (LIRA, LIF or LRIF)
- Form 5 - Application to Withdraw or Transfer Money from an Ontario Locked-in Account (Shortened Life Expectancy / Small Balance Unlocking after Age 55 / Exceeding Income Tax Act Limits / Non-Resident)
- Form 5.2 - Application to Withdraw or Transfer up to 50% of the Money Transferred into a Schedule 1.1 LIF
Financial Hardship
- Form FHU 1 - Financial Hardship Unlocking (Application for Medical Expenses)
- Form FHU 2 - Financial Hardship Unlocking (Application for Arrears of Rent or Default on Secured Debt (Mortgage))
- Form FHU 3 - Financial Hardship Unlocking (Application for First and Last Months' Rent)
- Form FHU 4 - Financial Hardship Unlocking (Application for Low Expected Income)
Saskatchewan
- Form 0.1 - Spouse's Waiver of Designated Beneficiary Status Under a Locked-In Retirement Account Contract
- Form 1 - Spouse's Consent to Transfer to a Registered Retirement Income Fund Contract
- Form 2 - Spouse's Waiver of Designated Beneficiary Status
- Form 3 - Spouse's Waiver of 60% Post-Retirement Survivor Benefit
- Form 4 - Certificate of Non-Residency
- Form 5 - Spouse's Consent to Withdrawal and Waiver of Entitlements Under a Pension Plan or a LIRA Contract for Non-Residency Status
Financial Hardship
- Form FHU 1 - Financial Hardship Unlocking (Application for Low Expected Income)
- Form FHU 2 - Financial Hardship Unlocking (Application for Medical Expenses)
- Form FHU 3 - Financial Hardship Unlocking (Application for Rent Arrears)
- Form FHU 4 - Financial Hardship Unlocking (Application for Mortgage Default)
- Form FHU 5 - Financial Hardship Unlocking (Application for First Month's Rent, Security Deposit or Pet Damage Deposit for a Principal Residence)
- Form 5 - Spouse's Consent to Withdrawal and Waiver of Entitlements under a Pension Plan or a LIRA Contract for Non-Residency Status
Alberta
- Application Form Alberta One-time 50% Unlocking from a LIRA
- Form 7: Pension Partner Waiver to Permit Up to 50% Unlocking From a Pension Plan on Establishment of a Life Income Type Benefit Account or Life Income Fund
- Form 10: Pension Partner Waiver to Establish a Life Income Fund from a Locked-in Retirement Account
- Form 11: Pension Partner Waiver of Entitlement to a 60% Joint and Survivor Annuity from a Locked-in Account
- Form 12: Pension Partner Waiver of Entitlement to a Death Benefit From a LIRA
- Form 13: Pension Partner Waiver to Permit Unlocking From a Locked-in Product Due to Shortened Life Expectancy or Non-Residency
- Form 14: Pension Partner Waiver to Permit Up to 50% Unlocking from a Locked-in Retirement Account on Establishment of a Life Income Fund or Transfer to a Life Income Type Benefit Fund
- Form 15: Pension Partner Waiver to Establish a Life Income Fund from a Pension Plan
- Form 16: Pension Partner Waiver of Entitlement to a Death Benefit After Establishment of a Life Income Fund