How I Built a Low-Cost RRSP ETF Portfolio in Canada: 0.241% All-In, $131K More Than Mutual Funds Over 25 Years
Most Canadians who move their RRSP from mutual funds to ETFs stop at XEQT or VEQT. That first step saves a significant amount in fees. This article covers the second step, how to get below 0.25% total all-in cost by optimizing for foreign withholding tax drag, not just headline MER. My RRSP runs at 0.241% total cost. Over 25 years on $100,000, that compounds to approximately $17K more than an XEQT equivalent and $131K more than a typical mutual fund. The full allocation table, the cost calculation, and the math behind each number are below.