Retirement

The 4 Most Common Questions About the CPP (Canada Pension Plan)

The 4 Most Common Questions About the CPP (Canada Pension Plan)

In the past, some of my most popular articles have been the ones I have written about Canada Pension Plan (CPP). In this article, I would like to tackle the four most common questions I get surrounding CPP

1. How much will I get from Canada Pension Plan?

Less than you might think. The maximum CPP amount for 2010 is $934.17 per month starting at age 65. That being said, most people do not qualify for the maximum CPP so it is best that you call Service Canada at 1-800-277-9914 and ask for your Canada Pension Plan statement of contributions.

It’s not easy to qualify for the maximum CPP because you have to contribute full rates for 40 years between the age of 18 and 65. Add in the trend that more and more people are retiring before the age of 65 and taking CPP early, you are seeing more and more people get less than the maximum amount. To learn more about this you can read my recent article, How much will you get from Canada Pension Plan in Retirement?

2. Should I take CPP early?

Canada Pension Plan is normally taken at age 65. That being said, you can take CPP as early as age 60 and as late as age 70. To evaluate these, let’s introduce you to twins, Janet and Beth. Let’s assume they both qualify for the same CPP of $900 per month at age 65. Let’s further assume, that Beth decides to take CPP now at age 60 at a reduced amount while Janet decides she wants to wait till 65 because she will get more income by deferring the income for 5 years.

Under Canada Pension Plan benefits, Beth can take CPP at age 60 based on a reduction factor of 0.5% for each month prior to her 65th birthday. Thus Beth’s CPP will be reduced by 30% (0.5% x 60 months) for a monthly income of $630 starting on her 60th birthday.

Let’s fast forward 5 years. Now, Beth and Janet are both 65. Over the last 5 years, Beth has collected $630 per month totalling $37,800. In other words, Beth has made $37,800 before Janet has collected a single CPP cheque. That being said, Janet is now going to get $900 per month for CPP or $270 per month more than Beth’s $630. The question is how many months does Janet need to collect more pension than Beth to make up the $37,800 Beth is ahead? It will take Janet 140 months to make up the $37,800 at $270 per month. In other words, before age 77, Beth is ahead of Janet and after age 77, Janet is ahead of Beth.

From a lifestyle perspective, it can be argued that Beth is more likely to enjoy the cash flow from age 60 to 77 a lot more than Janet will enjoy the extra cash flow after the age of 77.

This example is very simplistic. It does not take into account taxes, investment returns or indexing of benefits. Regardless, taking Canada Pension Plan early is simply about getting more money sooner. Waiting just means you have to live longer to make up for the lost income.

3. Can I split Canada Pension Plan?

Canada Pension Plan allows spouses to share their CPP with each other. The premise behind this is you can share your CPP with a spouse but they have to share their CPP back with you.

Let’s go back and look at Beth who is married to Larry. Beth took her Canada Pension Plan early and gets the $630 per month. Her total income is quite low and she only pays tax at the 25% marginal tax rate. Larry is 5 years older and makes $850 per month in CPP. Larry also has a pension so his total income is much higher than Beth. He is in the 32% Marginal Tax bracket.

The way Canada Pension Plan sharing works is they would give each other half of their CPP. The easiest way to grasp this is to add up both amounts ($850 + $630) and divide by 2. As a result of the sharing, Larry’s CPP amount will drop from $850 per month to $740 per month. Janet’s income will increase from $630 per month to $740 per month. The outcome is $110 per month of income will move from being taxed at 32% to being taxed only at 25%.

Remember that to qualify for Canada Pension Plan sharing, both spouses must be eligible to collect CPP payments, which means they both have to be over the age of 60.

The spouses must apply to split Canada Pension Plan. Once the amount is split, the spouses can apply to unsplit. In the case where one of the spouses passes away, the surviving spouse’s CPP goes back to their original amount. For example, if Beth passed away, Larry’s CPP would go from $740 per month back to his original $850 per month and then he would earn a Survivor’s CPP benefit. If Larry passed away, Beth’s CPP would go from $740 per month back to $630 per month but then would earn a survivors benefit off of Larry’s CPP.

The key to determining if Canada Pension Plan sharing is feasible is to look at whether the higher CPP earner is in a higher marginal tax rate than the lower CPP earner.

4. Is CPP clawed back depending on how much I make?

The short answer is no. There is no income or means test on your Canada Pension Plan retirement benefit. There is a clawback or recovery system on Old Age Security but not on Canada Pension Plan.

Comments

  1. Balance Junkie

    Great information Jim. It can be hard to keep on top of all of this, especially if you are more than a decade away from retirement. Who knows what the rules will be in the future? Still, we need to plan for our retirement income based on the information available today. Thanks!

  2. Baloo

    In regards to pension sharing…benefits are not split 50/50 between spouses or common-law partners. CPP uses a complicated formula to calculate the split.

    To determine how much of one pensioner’s CPP RTR will be shared with the other:

    Multiply the monthly RTR by the number of months of cohabitation or marriage after Jan 1st 1966, then divide by the months in the joint contributory period.

    Joint contributory period is tricky – it starts Jan 1 1966 or when the eldest spouse turned 18. It ends when the youngest spouse starts their benefit. This is assuming that both spouses are contributors to CPP.

    Both spouses are not required to be eligible to receive CPP to split pensions. In the event that one spouse did not contribute, they simply have to be at least 60 and can receive an assigned portion of the contributor spouse’s benefit.

    I hope this helps!

    • Jim Yih

      Thanks for the clarification. The split on CPP is determined by CPP and not the couple. Pension splitting on the other hand is determined by the spouses up to a maximum of 50%.

      In many cases the split is 50/50 as in the example above. Where it gets more complicated is in the case of second marriages or late marriages.

      Thanks again!

  3. Tom Robinson

    Something else to consider: When Beth starts collecting her pension at age 60, her CPP contributions will cease even if she continues working. Assuming incomes of over $46,300/yr, during the next 5 years Janet will likely pay $10,500 in CPP contributions while Beth pays nothing. (If self-employed, Janet will pay $21,000.) This means Beth will still be ahead of Janet until age 80.

  4. Balance Junkie

    You’ve managed to offer a ton of great information in one concise post. Thanks Jim! 🙂

  5. Million Dollar Journey

    Thanks for the mention Jim!

  6. frank w. cartwright

    Is it possible to get an audit of ones’
    Canada Pension Plan to see what you get is what you are entitled to?

    • Sharon

      Frank, you can go to “My Account” at Service Canada. You will have to sign up for that and they will mail you a confirmation code to access it. However, once you have the code and log-in to your account, you can access the information you require.

  7. mary

    what year did CPP contributions bebin

    • Sharon

      CPP Contributions in Canada started in 1965.

  8. carla

    i need help! i am on cpp disability with a monthly income of next to nothing, i also am on social service to top up cpp. if u were in my shoes what would u do? if u have a disability long term, what would be the next step to take? i am 39 yrs old, early retirement due to illness, apply for long term disability? or go crazy seeking out additional income assistance programs, that i am not aware of, just to make ends meet…pls help…what other disability programs are there for people such as me? DESPERATE…pls respond

  9. renat dohan

    I am thinking to stop working in two years .I am 55 years old now .I know i am no eligible to apply for yearly retirement pension till I am 60 . I have contribution of CCP etc now for last 12 year at least from my present employer .It is possible to stop work when I 57 years old and when I am 60 i can apply for yearly official retirement benefit ? Or I have to work till 60 of age to be able to get yearly retirement benefit .Please would you able to advice me I have no any knowledge about retirement benefit etc .Thanks Lots Rene Vancouver

    • Ivan

      If I am still working even though I am 62 making good money would it be wise to take early cpp or am I just going to pay it all back in income taxes thank you

    • Dayna Janzen

      Im pretty sure you must contribute for 3 of the last 10 years when they take into account your pension so in that case Renat you would be ok to retire 3 years before age 60.
      Please verify this information on the Service Canada website before making such a huge life decision!
      Good Luck!

  10. jacob birch

    How many Canadians Does it Take To Support an Aging, Entitled Baby Boomer?

    Back when the Canada Pension Plan was founded (1966) and when universal healthcare was adopted (1996/1984) there was 6.8 workers for every 1 retired person. In 1966 the CPP cost Canadian workers 1.8% of their gross pay.

    Fast forward to 2010… there are 4.5 workers per 1 retired person with 10,000 Baby Boomers turning 65 every day for the next 18 years. That is 416 per hour, 7 every minute. In 2010 the CPP currently takes a 9.9% premuium to fund itself from every worker in Canada. (5.495% from the employee and 5.495% from the employer). This represents a whopping 450% increase in CPP premiums as the worker/retiree ratio shrank by 34%.

    So for every 1% drop in the worker/retiree ratio, CPP premiums have gone up by 13%.

    Now contemplate the year 2030… in that year there will be 2.5 workers per 1 retired person. Why 2030? That is the year the last Baby Boomer will turn 65. That 2.5 worker/retiree ratio will 44% lower than it was in 2010 and 70% lower than it was in 1966. So if the CPP premiums only go up at the same ratio as they have increased to date that will mean every Canadian worker can expect to pay a CPP premium of 57%.

    Split with your employer paying 28% and you paying 28% please remember that that 57% tax on your gross pay hasn’t yet funded a single dollar of the gun registry, paid for a single MRI in your local hospital or trained a single new worker to replace you when and if – as a member of the post-BabyBoom generation – you ever hope to retire.

    Now you are supposed to be comforted by the fact that the Baby Boom generation is saving and investing more than any previous generation and hence the need for the CPP will reduce over time. The generations that survived the Great Depression and WWII didn’t really have time or money enough to save for retirement, hence the need for the CPP in the first place.

    Do you really think Canada’s employers will stand for paying a 28% payroll tax to fund retirees?

    No… i predict this will be the next big movement in the politics of pensions… watch as the Canadian Federation of Indepent Business, the Chambers of Commerce, etc,etc, increasingly pour money into lobbying the federal government to cap their rate where it is (4.95%) and shift any increase in CPP deductions solely onto employees.

    Don’t believe me? Check out the chart of worker to retiree ratios in today’s GlobeandMail.

    Don’t trust my CPP rate calcuations? Visit the very good wikipedia article on the CPP here.
    Think there can’t be THAT many baby boomers? Here are the numbers.

    draft

    tell me where my numbers are off please. for some reason i have found myself blogging about the CPP lately…

  11. Simone

    I am collecting CPP since Nov 2010 as I had to take early retirement due to my company moving to a location too far for me to travel. I found a part time job and have been working since April 2011. UI is being deducted from my weekly pay and so I wish to know if I am eligible for UI benefits as I will be laid off in and around Oct/Nov of this year. As well will my previous employment hours and salary be included in the calculation for UI benefits?
    Thank you

  12. Donna-Lynne White

    I am receiving early CPP benefits. I am starting a new job. I understand that I am exempt from CPP contributions. I began receiving benefits at 2009 year end. How do I tell my employer not to take off CPP is this is the case? I see nothing on the TD1 that addresses this situation.

  13. Nancy Dowd

    I am receiving CPP spousal benefits. My Canadian husband died in 2001. I have remarried and when I die will my American husband receive spousal benefits from my CPP.

    • Jack Kass

      I hope not! Canada does not need to pay some yank any $ at all

      • Denis Hassell

        Say Jack’s full name out loud and you will get the joke. The money the gov’t gives a person — or their family – is the person’s money, not the gov’ts.

  14. Gordon D. Froese

    In 2012 The gov. is going to start deducting cpp from people who have retired and gone back to work part time. Do our cpp payments go up or do we get it back come income tax time.

  15. Keely

    Thanks for all the links to past articles. These are really helpful for me. I don’t really understand how the Canada pension plan works, but it’s probably best if I figure it out. I feel like it’s an important part of my financial future.

  16. Elaine Ferguson

    I am a widow and thinking of living common law with my friend. Will living common law eliminate the portion of my cpp from my husband. Should I remain living on my own in order to continue with the same amount. Also will this affect my OAP?

  17. John Rakos

    I am 65, but continuing to work (part time). I would earn about $20,000 per year for the next 2 years before I retire. Presently my CPP is $928 monthly. Should I contribute to the CPP or elect not to?
    John

  18. Peter Krois

    Contributions to CPP while working. With the new proposed changes, not only will you be able to collect CPP while you are working but you will have to continue to make contributions into CPP as long as you are working under the age of 65. These contributions will result in increased retirement benefits. What are the “increased retirement benefits”?

    Thanks

  19. dale

    Gday im currently on a work visa for 2 years from australia was wondering if i can get my cpp back be for i leave and wat iv got to do to get it

    cheers dale

    • Skye

      I am also an australian working in canada on a visa and i am also curious what will happen to my CPP contributions- when i return to australia can i change them over to my retirement fund there?

  20. Lloyd Cooke

    My wife and I both receive CPP but my income is still high. I want to apply for CPP income splitting, but I want to have it split at source rather than after the fact on my tax return. The only government form I can find is T1032 which is used each year on the tax return. Is there a form to use to apply for splitting at the source?
    Thanks – Lloyd Cooke

    • John

      Lloyd, Form T1032 is not used to apply for splitting of CPP. It is only for other pension income. On Form T1032 you and your spouse elect the amount each year, up to 50%. You would normally choose an amount that would make your taxable incomes for that year equal. If you can’t do that, you just choose the maximum in order to get as close as possible.

      To split CPP, you use form SC ISP-1002. (SC probably stands for Service Canada, the agency to which you will send it – find the form and address on line or go to your nearest SC office.) You file ISP-1002 once, not annually. The split will be determined by the government and will apply to each year thereafter.

      When both spouses have contributed to CPP, both must be receiving or applying to receive a CPP retirement pension and both pensions will be split. The amounts will be determined based on the benefits earned while the spouses were together, so the split will not necessarily be 50% of each total.

      The only time one spouse can split CPP without the other also doing so if the other spouse never contributed to CPP at all.

      I hope this is helpful. If you need additional assistance, most accountants and financial planners can help. Getting help from the government itself can be a challenge but if you can’t use a professional, try calling 1-800-277-9914.

  21. nestor de leon

    I work in CANADA AB.for two years 2008-2010 as a sandblaster/coater.i would like to know if there is a refund for the CPP contributiondo? if there is how can i claim it?in which agency do i have to go? currently i am here now in the Philippines.

  22. Rosemarie Turtle

    My husband applied for CPP when he turned 60. He collected for over five years. He was still running a business and making an income. The business is defunct and has been for three years. I am in the process of trying to close it in fact. He still works but makes a low income. Two years ago he received a letter from the Gov. stating that he made too much income and so was cut off his CPP. He only now receives his old age pension. My husband is 68 years old. I have not heard or read where the Gov. can cut off your CPP because you still work. They have told him he can reapply if his income becomes lower. Is this right? Thank you in advance for any information.

  23. Michael Lea

    Assuming you are receiving a monthly CPP income of $975, approximately how much tax could you expect to pay on that amount.

  24. Fehmida Hamid

    I want to claim death benefits of my husband who was a canadian citizen since more then 36 years. In 1995 he came to Pakista (Karachi) and got married. And did not go back canada. we lived 16 years togather. On 22nd apr 2011 he died due to Stiffman Syndrome.
    We have no children. I am not canadian but only legal spouse of my husband. I have all his cards related to his canadian citizen. Please help me, how can I claim his death benefits to survive please.
    Waiting for the reply……..God may bless you always.

  25. Patricia Wilson

    Can I apply for the spousal % of my ex husband Barry John’s OAS? He was 65- July 12 2011 /
    I was 65- Aug 30/ 2011. Can you tell me what form I need to fill out, if not done automatic’ly

  26. Beckamax

    I have been offered a settlement from CPP disability. They have not disclosed what I will recieve. Should I accept or should I continue on to the tribunal hearing?
    If they freeze my income at date of disability and i wasn’t working due to raising my kids will they take my income from when I was working to calculate my future earnings? Or am I screwed as they put my date of onset as Sept 2009. If you don’t know the answers..do you know someone who does that I can e-mail? Thank you
    Sincerely.
    Rebecca Maxwell

  27. cathie vaillancourt

    the CPP numbers are outdated (2010). The startegy of collecting early or waiting till age 65 are still valid, however I would like to see this piece enhanced with 2012 rates as well as the new penalties / update on cessation (nil)/ new Post Retirement Benifit Plan / and drop out provision which started January 2012.
    thank you

  28. Karen

    If you stayed home for 12 years with your children, do you get to subtract 7 of those years. I worked from 1970-1980, and then again from 1992-2012, a total of 30 years, and will continue to work until 2015.

    • Heather Benoit

      The earnings, if any, of any year during which you had a child under age 7 in your care will not be used in calculating your CPP benefit. If for each of the 12 years you stayed home you had a child under age 7, then the whole 12 years will be excluded.

  29. Rhonda

    I live in the US (but I am Canadian) and my X husband is a an employee of a city in B.C. He is 55 so I am of the understanding that I can get my commuted value dispersed to me. I see some information states that I have to have it transferred to an actual RRSP, LIF, or deferred life annuity. Am I not able to get my hands on one lump sum of the CPP? I have student loans and I am wanting to pay my bills down……suggestions?

  30. David

    I worked in canada for 4 years i paid the pension every mounth i was working there on a work permit i am now back working in Scotland and wont be back to canada can a claim the money i paid to the penison back thanks.

  31. Bridget

    Thanks for the article – interesting. If I start to draw CPP at age 60 yet continue to work, will I still have a CPP deduction from my pay cheque?
    thanks

  32. Pat Nugent

    My husband and I share our Canada Pension Plan Income. My husband took some part-time work and now collects Emplloyment Insurance. However they are now clawing back part of his CPP — which is only as high as it is since we share and my income was always the highest. Is there anything I can do?

  33. Bridget

    Hi still waiting on an answer to my question….

    If I start to draw CPP at age 60 yet continue to work, will I still have a CPP deduction from my pay cheque?

    Any thoughts????????

  34. john stewart

    Hi there,my name is John stewart i work for the Alberta Goverment(37yrs)I am going to turn 60Dec,1st 2012.Now should i and can i start collecting my Canada pention after dec.12012?thank you hope to hear back soon…..John

  35. ron wilmot

    Dear Sir:

    I can make $650 per month in cpp at age 66 or wait until age 70 and make $855. When is my break even age if I wait until age 70?

    Tks Ron

    • Mark

      650(x-65) = 855(x-69)
      or when you are 81.6 yrs old

  36. ron wilmot

    ron wilmot
    Dear Sir:

    I can make $650 per month in cpp at age 66 or wait until age 70 and make $855. When is my break even age if I wait until age 70?

    Tks Ron

  37. ketan

    All,

    Can i withdraw my whole CPP amount at the of 65 ?

    In Germany, If you on PR(not citizen) and if you can live 2 years outside of the country(native) then you are eligible to withdraw whole amount in one stock.

    Ketan

  38. Al

    Can one spouse get CPP @ 60 split with another only get CPP @ 65?
    Also can one split anytime?

  39. Misty

    Could you tell me how long it takes to get retro pay from Canada. Pension disability.
    I was approve April 7 and they are backdating it to 2012,

  40. Evan from Canada

    Any benefit paid by the federal government that is considered taxable income is being clawed back, period. It isn’t earned by employment or investment but is still called income as if it were. It comes from the government and a portion goes back to the government. The portion is income dependent. That’s a clawback.

    • Donald E.

      Is it fare to say it is better for anyone at age 60 to take CPP now?
      I am going to be 60 in October 2018 and have been working for the same company since 1983, having said that I have maxed out my CPP almost every year!
      I planned on taking my CPP now and continue to work until the age of 65!
      What will be the outcome after that five years of continuing to work?

  41. Jo

    A question…

    I was married and living common law with my husband for 32 years…We then separated
    Why is it…The woman he lived with for less than 5 years
    receives the survivor benefit and CPP..
    I am not greedy by all means..but it just doesn’t seem to fair..

  42. Jim Templeton

    I Live in Mexico and receive CPP. If I marry my Mexican girlfriend, will she be eligible for CPP also?

    Thank you.

    Jim Templeton

  43. Heather

    Will i have to cash in my rrsps before i apply for cpp disability?

  44. Julia Sauve

    I have an idea; when two people get married or live together, the person who is working should pay wages to the one who stays home to do housework/child-rearing. These wages can be under the auspices of a pay-check w/ CPP, income tax, etc. taken off. Fast forward X amount of years…. voila! The wife gets CPP; certainly more than what she would had she just stayed home, as I did, to take care of my children.

  45. rob

    CPP Bitter
    I took the CPP at age 60 after working 38 years, what I get is approx. $500 per month. My position was in Engineering making a fairly good salary in a semi professional carrier, always paying the Max into CPP.
    I took CPP early since you never know when your time is up, and your still young enough to do something.
    But I didn’t think the CPP amount would be so low and the government so cheap.
    The Canadian government likely hands out more money to an immigrant per month than my miserable CPP amount.
    I am fifth generation Canadian proud of it but not our government.
    Makes you think of how some people with low paying full time and part time jobs are going to survive? If you think your RRSP will save you well think again, after the government taxes the hell out of them on withdrawl.
    This brings out another interesting government thought, that was to increase the amount of RRSP contribution you could make? This was to help at retirement, this only helps the rich, if you don’t have the money to buy then too bad.
    Oh, here,s a suggestion, If you want to help those retired and increase spending then lower the tax on the RRSP on withdrawl.
    Well gotta go its time for lunch and my Purina.

  46. Carole

    I am receiving CPP due to a disability. I received my T4A (P) slip but it shows back benefits from 2013 , which I received in 2014. Can that be split when I do my taxes? Also, I’ve settled my disability claim – do I have to pay CPP back?

    Thanks you so much!

  47. paulette

    Question,
    My parents been divorced for awhile and my mother never re married. My question is is my mother entitled to my father’s cpp. He did have a common law girlfriend.

  48. Bill

    I have been paying into cpp for 38 years, l will be retiring at 56. I know l cant apply for cpp to age 60, will l get penalized for not contributing the 4 years leading up age 60? If so how much will it affect me? According to cpp if l work to 60 l get 685.00 approximately.

  49. Robert Bennetts

    Last November, my wife and I filled out the form to apply for her CPP, which we elected to have when she turned 65 – which is three weeks from now! We took great care to complete the form correctly and mailed it in a separate envelope from the OAS application. OAS replied but we have heard nothing from CPP. I inquired at the local version of the service canada office and they didn’t know if we should have gotten acknowledgment of the application or not. I’ve scoured the CPP websites thoroughly and found no information on their notification policies. Will the cheques start coming, out of the blue, or should we re-apply?

  50. Matilda

    Hi,

    I am a Canadian Citizen and I have been living and working in Canada for the past 10 years. I got married to a US citizen and in 3 years I am deciding to only have an American pasport. Will I be able to get any pension for the 10 years I contributed to CPP in Canada if I am no longer a Canadian?

    Thank you in advance for your help.

  51. Chuck Kelly

    I have a disabled daughter who is turning 18 this year and I am looking for information on tax credit or pension she may be eligible for.

    • Jeff

      it may be on old tax papers in the event you may still have some of those.

  52. helen

    im applying for the Canada pension plan credit split , but do not know my ex social insurance number. what do I do

  53. Jeff

    I started to collect my CPP at 60 years of age in May 2015. I found it a low patment btw for working 20 years. I am living in FLorida at the moment and my check arrived in USD. About 160.00. Then.. I got a letter that I may be eligible for addition funds, so I filled out forms and sent in for a split with my ex of 20 years. My second check arrived – it was cut to 91.00. My ex will not be 60 until December (if that matters at all). But (A) why did they cut my payment in half and (B) is there a way to unspilt and go back to my full payment? Are there forms somewhere for that? We both worked the whole time we were together. She worked maybe 2 years longer than I did. I dont understand why i was cut? Any help would be wonderful. Jeff

  54. Jeff

    Oh.. one other thing ive noticed on this second CPP payment stub.. it lest my SSI number as a completely different SSI number. Its not mine or my ex’s number.

  55. Audrey Jeffrey

    I am currently receiving Widow’s pension. Will I still receive Widow’s pension once I start receiveing my own CPP?

  56. John Edwards

    Does a couple have to be legally divorced before they are entitled to receive the single Old Age Pension rate? My wife left six months ago and we are only separated.

  57. Jos Sharp

    If I opt to defer CPP until I am 70 and keep on working but at at 20 percent lower income because of reducing my work week to four days from five, will the premium I get for deferring be offset by my having reduced my income? How is CPP calculated? Is it by lifelong contributions only or is your income just prior to applying a significantly weighted factor?

  58. Bob

    I have only visited Canada. There is a site in the U.S.A. advertising that you can contribute to a Canadian retirement program and eventually receive a retirement benefit without actually living in Canada. Have you any knowledge of this?

  59. Juan Eduardo

    In order to declare single with OAP, must the couple be legally divorced or separated?

  60. Jeanne M.

    Hi. I’m on CPP disability I’m a Canadian citizen and live in Toronto and my boyfriend who is the love of my life is an American Citizen and receiving Social Security Disability. When we’re together we help and support each other in ways that we haven’t been able to receive from even professionals. We’ve never felt this kind of love, comfort or trust from or for anybody before. He makes me stronger when I’m with him with his love and support we believe that, in time, together we can make our way back to being contributors. I still have high hopes despite what the doctors tell me that I can make my way, with help,back to safety of a solid career in the future. Ppl say that I’m dreaming but aren’t those the things that come true when we believe? We love each other with everything that we are and believe that together we have that chance. I’m 42 and he’s 58. We want to get married. My friends are telling me that I can’t have what they visibly can see makes me better? I’m looking around and I’m feeling hugely intimidated and scared to approach CPP or government authorities about this cause I have trouble understanding paperwork or expressing what I need to express when they ask whatever it is that they ask. I’ve never felt before as I do now that I’m just a piece of government property. I don’t understand how they say things and they lose patience with me. If I’m not allowed to have someone that loves me and that I can relate to what’s the point to anything? I’m supposed to live a life of abundance..it’s a human right for everybody..and marrying my beloved is my chance to spring from the ashes! I’ve never been married before.. I believe that not just anybody can fit that bill half way or part time and that it’s more than just a surface contract. It’s something sacred to us both. Both of us are willing to relocate to either country if need be but we believe there’s more opportunities here in canada for me ..come that day when I’m blessed enough to return to work on a steady basis. We have both visited websites to explain this but we both find it all terribly confusing. We don’t know which way to go..struggling in every direction that we think is best..its one thing at a time but everything seems to be that one thing of priority. Has or Is there anybody in here who is or has experienced the same thing? How do I go about this? Can someone please help me? What is the procedure? Is there someone I can be referred to that will take the time with me to help me communicate in comfort? I don’t mean to be a burden..I’m just trying to help myself.

  61. Colette

    I am on CPPD and I started to work a part time job. Can you Please tell me what the CAP is for earnings so I don’t get cut off my dissability. I think I am almost at my MAX but not too sure if I need to scale back my employment a bit.

  62. Miguel

    I am 59 years old now. I an canadian citizen and worked for 15 years in Canada. I am 16 years in Canada.
    My question: if I stay out of Canada for 2 – 3 years. Can I aply for early retirement at the time me to come back to Canada?
    Thanks very much

  63. Melissa Benson

    I am only 27 years old. I have been working for Manitoba Corrections since 2009. I have some debt I would like to pay off and I was wondering if I can payout my pension to help pay my bills? Thank you.

  64. Sandie

    I have a question. If you have never worked to pay into CPP can you get spousal share from your ex-husband when you turn 60. HOw would that work.

  65. Juan Eduardo

    I don’t see any answers to the questions above?
    Question…. How much money can a couple (who is collecting the Old Age Supplement) earn per year before it affects the Supplement?

  66. Gerry Assinck

    Is CPP a taxable income?

  67. Shawn Corning

    I was medically released from the Canadian Forces when I was 52 after 30 years of service. I have not worked in the past 8 years and would like to start collecting CCP. Will I be penalized for the past 8 years while I was not paying in?

  68. D Pearson

    I like to find out what I put into CPP over the 40 years. I worked for a company now for 32 years & paid maxuim amount of CPP. I can`t rember what I paid the other 8 years. I thinking of Retirement . How do I find out these number before in my early days. I had many jobs I may want to work a year or two more to get my CPP payment paid up.
    I now 59 years old &thinking of retirement in early 60`s. I know about the reduced amount. But like to have a ideal of how much I get. I don`t want to take it then find out it a lower amount than I planed. I still working with a income of $75,000.00

  69. Theresa Edelman

    Is an ex spouse who lives outside of Canada able to collect Canada Pension legally in another country?

  70. E. Alexander

    I am still working at age 67 and boh collecting and paying CPP premiums. I don’t have a private pension so will depend on this benefit. Should I keep paying into CPP?

  71. Doug Axford

    Sorry but did not read all of the comments so this may have been covered.
    First, in your scenario it actually can get quite a bit more complex. If you take CPP early AND you still want to work part time up to age 70, you have the option of having CPP deducted and those contributions can add a significant amount to your monthly pension. It could bring you close to the same amount as waiting until 65. It’s optional but many seniors like to have part time jobs to keep active and the added income plus CPP increase is meaningful.

    Also, no one has much info about the ability to share the duties of primary care provider for your children. In my case, we are self employed and by examining our yearly contributions during the years the children were born to age 7 and dividing those up, both our CPP benefits increased by $100. per month.
    CPP does allow you to remove some periods in your work history where you may have been unemployed or underemployed. It does make a difference.
    The only way to get this info appears to be by calling CPP where they will calculate some basic scenarios for you but they cannot do complex ones over the phone.
    I’m finding it impossible to find more details on this from sources other than CPP. This is the same type of advanced calculations that everyone does on their taxes but no one appears to do on their CPP. A few hundred extra per month is quite significant!

  72. Kathy

    I have taken early retirement, with reduced company pension. I am 57. I was earning $85,000 PA. I have recently started a freelance sort of job likely to earn approx $20,000 PA. I know I have to pay income tax and into CPP. Will this reduced level of yearly income between now and age 60 have an adverse effect on my CPP benefits? Will my monthly payout fromm CPP be based on the larger earning years or on this reduced amount?

  73. Aimee Byron

    There is a company here in the U.S. trying to convince people here that there is some loophole by which they can contribute to the CCP, without being Canadian and draw a monthly benefit check. Horrible scam!

  74. Patti Campbell

    I am 68 years old I worked all my life but retired at 60. I took my cpp at that time. I raised 3 children and only get 377.per month. It doesn’t seem like it is fair. How can I apply to have this looked at again.

  75. Juan Eduardo

    Are people collecting the supplement permitted to earn a certain amount before their benefits are reduced?… such as on IE.. where people can earn 25% before suffering deductions.

  76. Monte

    Great information, thank you.

    I am 59, I have been working and paying max CPP contributions since 1976 with three years where I possibly did not make the max contribution.

    I had no idea that a person could draw a reduced (30%) CPP at age 60 and continue to work.

    My question is: How do I calculate if this would be beneficial to me to take the CPP early? I am single with teenagers still living with me for a few more years. I could use the extra income now and not really concerned about losing the 30% as it looks like it would take 20 years to be ahead of the game if I wait until 65. I have a USW pension that I will be taking when I stop work.

    Thanks for any assistance on this.

  77. Chris

    If I worked in Canada for 3 years (2015-2016) as a permanent resident but then decided to live in Europe, do I get any benefits from contributing to CPP with the maximum amount for those years?

  78. John Newton

    Some seniors I know get legally divorced so they can increase their government pensions by as much as $5,000 per year “per couple”, and yet they share the same dwelling. Is it legal to share the same dwelling after doing this?

  79. Caroline Davis

    I worked in Canada in 1981-3 and paid contributions into the Canada Pension. Would there be any money due to me? Thank you.

  80. Glenn M Fraser

    I turned 60 May 2018 and received my first cpp chequer in July
    I am working full time and still paying maximum into cpp
    Will I receive an increase in cpp earnings each year until I turn 65?

  81. Paul

    I’m 61.5 years of age and I haven’t applied yet for my CPP. If I do decide to take it now, will I be paid retroactively from the age of 60?

  82. Gregory

    It’s funny how the author twists the words in this article. She keeps writing, Beth “made 37000” by the age of 65. Made? It’s her own money we are talking about that the government withheld each year. She was taxed each year. Now, she wants to take back some of her money (that the government had a chance to make more money on while investing at high percentage) and she “makes” money?

  83. Penelope Urquhart

    I hope you can give me an answer. I have applied for the child-rearing provision for 2 children born in 1979 and 1980. I also applied for credit splitting married from 1976 to 1992. I was granted credit split for 1976-1992 which includes years I stayed home and earned no income. Would the 7 years for child-rearing with a credit for credit splitting be dropped out? Unfortunately CPP does not give you this information in your statement … they do not tell you which years are dropped out only the years for credit split (CS).

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