Guaranteed Investment Funds (GIF)

Depending on your age and estate planning goals, BMO GIFs offer choice and flexibility in three guarantee options to help meet your needs:

For complete details, please speak to your advisor.

Working closely with our portfolio manager, BMO Asset Management Inc., BMO GIFs offer investors broad investment exposure to North American, global and emerging markets, and greater choice in ETF and actively managed portfolio GIFs.

With the help of your advisor you can select the funds that are appropriate for your own financial goals.

With the maturity guarantee on a BMO GIF, you will receive the higher of the market value of your investments or a minimum guaranteed amount. You choose the level of the guarantee that’s right for you (i.e. 75% or 100% of your deposits). 

With the death guarantee on a BMO GIF, your beneficiary will receive the higher of the market value of your investments or a guaranteed amount (equal to a percentage of your deposits). You choose the level the guarantee that’s right for you (i.e. 75% or 100% of your deposits). 

Many types of investments must go through probate when they become part of your estate. ^{footnote 11} This process can delay the distribution of your estate and can also be costly. Assets in a BMO GIF can bypass probate, allowing you to quickly and simply transfer these amounts to your designated beneficiary. 

If the market value of your policy is higher than the maturity guaranteed amount, it will be locked-in automatically every month (up to 10 years before the maturity date) to match the market value – locking-in market gains.

If the market value of your policy is higher than the death guarantee amount, the guarantee will be locked-in to match the market value – locking-in market gains. Death guarantee amount resets occur automatically every 3rd policy anniversary up until (and including) the last policy anniversary before your 80th birthday. ^{footnote 22}

Your investments in a BMO GIF may also be protected from creditors. ^{footnote 33}

Depending on your financial objectives and the level of protection you’re looking for, BMO GIFs can be a valuable part of your overall financial plan.

If you’re a 45 to 55 year old pre-retiree who is willing to take on some risk to get lower fees, but want the potential for higher returns over the long term and some downside market protection. 

Solution: BMO GIF 75/75  

• Lowest fees 
• More investment fund choice with greater equity content available 
• Invests in BMO ETFs and ETF Portfolios managed by BMO Global Asset Management 
• No less than 75% of investments is paid to your beneficiary in event of death 

If you’re a retired senior age 65 to 90 looking for higher potential returns while preserving estate values and want to transfer assets to your heirs in a timely, private and cost-effective manner. 

Solution: BMO GIF 75/100

• Low fees help you accumulate wealth sooner 
• Estate protection: Up to 100% of investments paid to beneficiary in event of death ^{footnote 44}
• Automatic triennial death guarantee resets to build legacy value ^{footnote 44}
• No probate, executor or legal/administration fees maximizes wealth transfer 
• More fund choice with greater equity content available 
• Invests in BMO ETFs and ETF Portfolios managed by BMO Asset Management 
• Even lower fees if you have at least $250,000 in one or more GIF policies issued in your name 

If you’re 55 to 65 year old and a pre-retiree who is looking for higher potential returns while protecting your investment as you get closer to retirement.

Solution: BMO GIF 100/100 

• Highest level of guarantees: Capital protection: Up to 100% of investments returned in as few as 15 years⁵
• Estate protection: Up to 100% of investments paid to beneficiary in event of death ^{footnote 44} 
• Automatic monthly maturity guarantee resets ^{footnote 66} (automatically locks-in market gains) 
• Option for automatic triennial death guarantee resets ^{footnote 77, footnote 88}
• Balanced funds for reduced volatility, designed by BMO Asset Management 
• Even lower fees if you have at least $250,000 in one or more GIF policies issued in your name 

If you’re an entrepreneur looking for creditor protection and lower fees, while building funds that are fully accessible in case of emergencies or to assist in succession planning.

Solution: BMO GIF 75/75 

• Lowest fees 
• Creditor protection to protect personal assets from business liability ^{footnote 33}
• No less than 75% of investments paid to your beneficiary in event of death 
• More investment fund choice with greater equity content available 
• Invests in BMO ETFs and ETF Portfolios managed by BMO Asset Management 
• Even lower fees if you have at least $250,000 in one or more GIF policies issued in your name