Over half of Canadians are not planning to add to their RRSPs for the 2007 contribution period, according to a recent BMO Financial Group/Leger study.

This trend is led by respondents aged 55-64 — the group closest to retirement — with two out of three choosing not to contribute this year.

According to the poll of 1,500 Canadians, more than one in four say uncertainty in the markets has impacted their investment decision.

One third of Canadians made or will make their RSP contribution after February 15 this year.

Last minute contributions are a growing trend with 25,000 BMO customers making RSP contributions on the deadline date last year, up 20% from the previous year.

“The first couple of months in the year can be hard on your wallet with holiday and other household bills needing to be paid. Contributing to an RSP can often fall off the list, especially when left to the last minute,” said Judy Thomson, Director, BMO Retail Investments.

Among the survey’s other findings: one-third of Canadians are making an RSP contribution to get a tax refund; and one in four plan to put their tax refund into savings.