CPP Survivor’s Pension

← Back to Resource Kit

The CPP Survivor’s Pension is a benefit paid to the survivor of a deceased CPP contributor.

Tips & Links

The Canada Pension Plan (CPP) Survivor’s Pension (also referred to as the Survivor’s Benefit) is a monthly payment paid to the legal spouse or common-law partner of the deceased contributor.

Learn More

• Learn about the (CPP) Survivors Pension criteria, eligibility and your possible benefit amount from the Government of Canada.
• Know that to qualify for the CPP survivor’s pension, you must be legally married to a deceased CPP contributor or be the common-law partner (living together for at least one year) of a deceased CPP contributor.
• Be aware that you should apply as soon as possible after the contributor’s death. If you delay, you may lose benefits.

How to Apply

• To apply for CPP survivor’s pension 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 account to view your Canadian Pension Plan, Employment Insurance, Old Age Security, Canadian Dental Plan information, update your personal details, and access other online services offered by Service Canada.
• Explore the Benefits Wayfinder website to learn more about publicly-funded benefits and those you might be eligible to receive.

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.

Tools & Videos

← Back to Resource Kit