RRSPs are often promoted as the default retirement solution in Canada, but their real value depends on your tax rate today versus in retirement. Because withdrawals are fully taxable income, large RRSP or RRIF balances can push retirees into higher brackets and even trigger Old Age Security clawbacks. This article explores where RRSPs shine, where they fall short, and how combining them with TFSAs and non-registered investments can provide better control over lifetime taxes and estate outcomes.