Belgium - Pensions and benefits
If you have lived or worked in Belgium and in Canada, or you are the survivor of someone who has lived or worked in Belgium and in Canada, you may be eligible for pensions or benefits from Belgium or Canada, or both.
The Agreement on Social Security between Canada and Belgium came into force on January 1, 1987.
Available benefits
If you contributed to both the Canada Pension Plan and the Belgian pension program, or if you lived in Canada and Belgium, this agreement may help you qualify for:
- Canadian old age and disability benefits
- Belgian old age and disability benefits
If you are the widow, widower or child of a person who contributed to the pension programs of both countries, this agreement may help you qualify for:
- Canadian survivor benefits
- Belgian survivor benefits
You may qualify for a Canadian or Belgian benefit, or both. However, under the Agreement, the benefit paid by each country will be based solely on your creditable periods under that country’s pension program. In other words, Canada will pay a benefit amount reflecting the portion of your periods that are creditable under Canada's pension program, and Belgium will pay a benefit amount reflecting the portion of your creditable periods under Belgium's pension program.
Eligibility
Canadian benefits
The Canadian pension programs included in the Agreement are the Canada Pension Plan (CPP) and the Old Age Security (OAS) program.
If you do not qualify for a Canada Pension Plan (CPP) benefit based on your contributions to the CPP, Canada will consider periods of insurance under to the pension program of Belgium as periods of contribution to the Canada Pension Plan.
If you do not qualify for an Old Age Security pension because you have not lived in Canada for the minimum number of years, Canada will consider periods of insurance under the pension program of Belgium and periods of residence in Belgium after the age of 18 as periods of residence in Canada.
Note: Quebec Pension Plan (QPP) contributors
The Government of Canada's international social security agreements cover Old Age Security and Canada Pension Plan benefits only. If you contribute or have contributed to the QPP but not to the CPP, please consult the Quebec Pension Plan.
Belgian benefits
The pension program of Belgium covers employed persons. There are special schemes for self-employed persons and public employees.
To qualify for a benefit under the pension program of Belgium, you normally must have contributed to the program for a minimum number of years.
If you have not contributed to the Belgian pension program for the minimum period and you are a Belgian or Canadian national, Belgium will consider periods of contribution to the Canada Pension Plan and periods of residence in Canada after the age of 18 as periods of insurance under the Belgian pension program.
If you are a Canadian citizen, under the Agreement you can receive a Belgian benefit while residing in Canada.
Apply
Print and complete one of the following application forms:
If you live in Canada
If you live in Canada and want to apply for Canadian benefits, consult the Pensions in Canada.
If you live in Canada and want to apply for Belgian benefits:
- Belgium/Canada Agreement - Application for a Belgian Retirement and/or Invalidity Pension (CAN/BEL 4 (RTR/I))
- Belgium/Canada Agreement - Application for a Belgian Survivor's Pension
Attach any necessary supporting documents, and return the application form to a Service Canada Centre, or mail it to:
International Operations
Service Canada
P.O. Box 250
Fredericton NB E3B 4Z6
Canada
If you live in Belgium
If you live in Belgium and want to apply for Canadian benefits:
- Belgium/Canada Agreement - Application for Canadian Old Age, Retirement and Survivor Benefits (ISP5054-BEL)
- Belgium/Canada Agreement - Application for CPP Child's Benefits (ISP5055-BEL)
- Belgium/Canada Agreement - Application for CPP Disability Benefits (ISP5053-BEL)
Attach any necessary supporting documents, and return the application form to a social security office in Belgium, or mail it to:
International Operations
Service Canada
P.O. Box 250
Fredericton NB E3B 4Z6
Canada
Belgium's social security
Resources
- Agreement on Social Security between Canada and Belgium
- Protocol amending the Agreement on Social Security between Canada and Belgium
- General overview of Belgium's social security system
- Information on programs and services for Canadians living abroad
- Information on contributing to the Canada Pension Plan while working abroad and contact information for the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA)
Note: The Agreement
This page contains general information on the Agreement on Social Security Between Canada and Belgium and may not describe all the provisions that apply to your situation. If you have any questions, please contact us. In the case of a discrepancy between this page and the Agreement, the wording and provisions of the Agreement will prevail.
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