Federal

Canada Pension Plan

Easy application

Tax filing not required

The Canada Pension Plan (CPP) retirement Pension provides a monthly, taxable amount to replace part of your income when you retire, for the rest of your life.

  • You can apply for and receive a full CPP retirement pension at age 65. You can also get it as early as age 60 (with a reduction), or as late as age 70 (with an increase).
  • The amount of your CPP retirement pension is based on how much you have contributed and how long you have been making contributions to the CPP at the time you become eligible.
  • Use the Canadian Retirement Income Calculator to estimate how much you might receive and help you decide the best time to start receiving your pension.

For 2022, the maximum monthly amount you could receive as a new recipient starting the pension at age 65 is $1,253.59. The average monthly amount is $727.61.

Note: If you live in Quebec, you should refer to the Quebec Pension Plan (QPP) instead and contact Retraite Québec if you have any questions.

To qualify for the Canada Pension Plan:

  • You must be at least 60 years old
  • You must have made at least one valid contribution to the CPP

Valid contributions can be either from work you did in Canada, or as the result of getting credits from a former spouse or former common-law partner at the end of the relationship.

Note: If you live in Quebec, you should refer to the Quebec Pension Plan (QPP) instead and contact Retraite Québec if you have any questions.

Social Insurance Number

For example:

  • confirmation of SIN letter
  • plastic SIN card (non-expired)

To apply for CPP online

  • Sign in to your My Service Canada Account.
  • Apply online for your Canada Pension Plan. You must confirm:
    • your personal information,
    • your banking information to sign up for direct deposit, and
    • the date you would like your pension to start.

To apply using a paper application form

Notes

  • You can view your application status using your My Service Canada Account (MSCA), and selecting the "Application Status" link. You can also contact Service Canada.
  • You can apply a maximum of 12 months before the date you would like your pension to start.
  • You will receive a letter within a month confirming your eligibility, your start date, and the amount you will receive. If you do not receive a letter, contact the Canada Pension Plan.
  • You can request a reconsideration of any decision that affects your eligibility or the amount of your CPP benefit.
  • Remember, your CPP retirement pension is taxable.

Last updated: January 18, 2022