The Canadian Pension Plan (CPP) retirement pension is a monthly, taxable benefit that replaces part of your income when you retire.
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The Canadian Pension Plan (CPP) is a government-run program that provides retirement, disability, and survivor benefits to eligible workers in Canada. To qualify, individuals must have contributed to the plan through payroll deductions while working, and generally, they must be at least 60 years old to begin receiving retirement benefits. Learn about the Canadian Pension Plan (CPP) directly from the source.
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- Know that your eligibility to collect CPP is determined by your contributions to the plan, your age, and being a Canadian resident for over 10 years.
- Be aware that you can apply for CPP at 60 years of age, if you want, and it can take 3-5 months for the application to be processed. The online application process can be faster than a printed, mailed in application.
- Talk to your financial planner or qualified care partners about eligibility criteria, deciding when to take your pension, and the amount you may receive.
How to Apply
- To apply for Canadian Pension Plan create your My Service Canada Account . You’ll need to provide personal information such as your Social Insurance Number (SIN), date of birth, and other identifying details to verify your identity.
- Log into your My Service Canada Account to view your Canadian Pension Plan, Employment Insurance, Old Age Security, Canadian Dental Plan, Canada Pension Plan Disability (CPP-D), and Disability Tax Credit (DTC) information, update your personal details, and access other online services offered by Service Canada.
Explore Other Benefits
- Understand that Wayfinder is an online tool provided by the Canadian government to help people with disabilities and their families navigate various federal and provincial programs and services. It is specifically aimed at helping individuals with disabilities find the support they need in areas like health care, financial assistance, and community services. Whereas the Benefits Finder is broader and not limited to individuals with disabilities—it helps all Canadians find benefits they might be eligible for, based on their personal circumstances. See the list of benefits offered by the Government of Canada.
- Explore the Benefits Finder to learn more about publicly funded benefits and those you might be eligible to receive.
- Know that having a chronic health condition, dependent on your physical and mental health capacity, may also qualify you for disability benefits such as the Disability Tax Credit, Registered Disability Savings Plan, and Canadian Pension Plan-Disability.
- Learn about benefits specifically design for people with disabilities (including people with limiting chronic health conditions) by using the Disability-Benefits-Compass from Prosper Canada.
- Check out the government of Canada Retirement Hub to learn about how to plan for, apply, and manage your public benefits.
- Use the Canadian Retirement Income Calculator to learn about some of your potential retirement income by combining your expected OAS pension and CPP Disability pension.
- Work with an accountant to ensure your income tax is filed every year. Know that an income tax assessment is required for most government benefits and services.
If you have a chronic health condition or disability, explore all available pensions and benefits early to support your financial and lifestyle plans while managing your health. Mywell Health lists potential benefits under My Financial Plan, with more details in the resource kit.