Survivor's pension
Survivor's pension
From: Employment and Social Development Canada
The Canada Pension Plan (CPP) survivor's pension is a monthly payment paid to the legal spouse or common-law partner of the deceased contributor.
Step 1 Do you qualify
To qualify for the survivor’s pension, you must:
- be legally married to a deceased CPP contributor
- be the common-law partner of a deceased CPP contributor
Common-law partner
According to the Canada Pension Plan (CPP) legislation, a common-law partner is a person of either sex who has lived with you in a conjugal relationship for at least 1 year.
To prove that you are in a common-law relationship, or that you and your spouse lived in a common-law relationship prior to your marriage, you will need to fill out 1 of the following forms:
- the Statutory Declaration of Common-law Union form – dual signatures (ISP3004CPP), or
- the Statutory Declaration of Common-law Union form – single signature (ISP3104CPP)
If you are a separated legal spouse and the deceased had no common-law partner, you may qualify for this benefit.
If you previously remarried
The rule was changed in 1987. If you previously lost a Canada Pension Plan survivor’s benefit because you remarried, contact Canada Pension Plan to find out if you are now eligible.
If you are widowed more than once
If you are widowed more than once, only one survivor's pension - the larger - will be paid.
If you remarry
Your pension will continue even if you remarry.
You may also qualify for other CPP benefits
In addition to the CPP survivor’s pension, you may be eligible to receive:
Step 2 How much could you receive
The amount you receive as a surviving spouse or common-law partner will depend on:
- whether you are younger or older than age 65
- how much, and for how long, the deceased contributor has paid into the CPP
We first calculate the amount that the CPP retirement pension of the deceased is, or would have been, if the deceased had been age 65 at the time of death. Then, a further calculation is done based on the survivor's age at the time of the contributor's death.
If you are age 65 or older
You will receive 60% of the contributor's retirement pension, if you are not receiving other CPP benefits.
If you are under age 65
You will receive a flat rate portion and 37.5% of the contributor's retirement pension, if you are not receiving other CPP benefits.
Combining the survivor's pension with other CPP benefits
If you already receive a Canada Pension Plan (CPP) retirement pension or disability pension, the survivor's pension will be combined into a single monthly payment.
However, you cannot receive a full survivor's pension while also receiving a full retirement pension or disability pension. The combined benefit is not necessarily the sum of the 2 separate benefits.
The following restrictions relate to benefit amounts if you are eligible for more than 1 CPP benefit.
Combining the disability pension and the survivor's pension
The most that can be paid to a person eligible for both the disability pension and the survivor's pension is the maximum disability pension (which is more than the maximum survivor's pension).
Combining the CPP retirement pension and survivor’s pension
The most that can be paid to a person who is eligible for the retirement pension and the survivor's pension is the maximum retirement pension (which is more than the maximum survivor's pension).
Combining multiple benefits
When combining multiple benefits with a flat-rate component, only 1 flat-rate (the largest) is provided (for example, the post-retirement disability benefit rather than the smaller flat-rate for a survivor under age 65).
When combining multiple benefits, the total amount of combined CPP benefits paid is adjusted based on the survivor's age and other benefits received.
CPP enhancement
The CPP enhancement component of your survivor’s, retirement and/or disability pensions will be added to the amount of the base component of your combined benefit. The enhanced component of a combined benefit is not subject to the above maximums.
Consult the table of current Canada Pension Plan (CPP) payment amounts.
Step 3 When to apply
You should apply as soon as possible after the contributor's death. If you delay, you may lose benefits.
The Canada Pension Plan can only make back payments for up to 12 months.
Step 4 Who should complete the application
As the survivor, you are responsible for applying for your monthly pension. If you are incapable of applying, you may have a representative (such as a trustee) apply for you.
A registered trustee, guardian, or other legal representative, may act on a client’s behalf in person, by mail or by phone, but not online. For more information, you can contact the Canada Pension Plan.
Step 5 Apply
Apply online
To apply for your benefit online:
- log into your MSCA and complete the online CPP Survivor’s Pension form
- mail certified true copies of the required documentation or drop them off at a Service Canada office, and
- indicate both the deceased contributor’s Social Insurance Number and your own on all documents before sending them to Service Canada
Apply using a paper application
To apply for your benefit using a paper application:
- complete the Canada Pension Plan survivor's pension and children's benefits application form (ISP1300)
- include certified true copies of the required documentation
- mail the form or drop it off at a Service Canada office, and
- indicate both the deceased contributor’s Social Insurance Number and your own on all documents before sending them to Service Canada
Step 6 After you apply
Your first payment
The survivor's pension starts at the earliest the month after the contributor's death.
It takes approximately 6 to 12 weeks to receive your first payment from the date Service Canada receives your completed application.
Review your application status
If more than 12 weeks have passed and you would like to find out the status of your application, you can contact Canada Pension Plan.
If you disagree with a decision
You may request a reconsideration of any decision that affects your eligibility or the amount of your Canada Pension Plan benefit.
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