Jamaica - Pensions and benefits
If you have lived or worked in Jamaica and in Canada, or you are the survivor of someone who has lived or worked in Jamaica and in Canada, you may be eligible for pensions or benefits from Jamaica or Canada, or both.
The Agreement on Social Security between Canada and Jamaica came into force on January 1, 1984.
Available benefits
If you contributed to both the Canada Pension Plan and the Jamaican pension program, or if you lived in Canada and Jamaica, this agreement may help you qualify for:
- Canadian old age and disability benefits
- Jamaican 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
- Jamaican survivor benefits
You may qualify for a Canadian or a Jamaican 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 Jamaica will pay a benefit amount reflecting the portion of your creditable periods under Jamaica's pension program.
Eligibility
Canadian benefits
The Canadian pension programs included in the Agreement are the Canada Pension Plan and the Old Age Security program.
If you do not qualify for a Canada Pension Plan benefit based on your contributions to the CPP, Canada will consider periods credited under the pension program of Jamaica 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 residence in Jamaica from January 1, 1966, and 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.
Jamaican benefits
The pension program of Jamaica is similar to the Canada Pension Plan and covers most employed and self-employed persons in Jamaica.
To qualify for a benefit under the pension program of Jamaica, you normally must have contributed to the program for a minimum number of weeks.
If you have not contributed to the program for the minimum period, to qualify for a Jamaican benefit under the Agreement, Jamaica will consider periods of contribution to the Canada Pension Plan and periods of residence in Canada from April 1, 1966 and after the age of 18 as periods credited under the pension program of Jamaica.
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 Public pensions.
If you live in Canada and want to apply for Jamaican benefits:
- Jamaica/Canada Agreement - Application for a Jamaican Old Age and/or Invalidity Benefit (CAN/JAM1 OA/I)
- Jamaica/Canada Agreement - Application for a Jamaican Survivors Benefit (CAN/JAM 1 SVR)
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 2710 Station Main
Edmonton AB T5J 2G4
Canada
If you live in Jamaica
If you live in Jamaica and want to apply for Canadian benefits:
- Jamaica/Canada Agreement - Application for Canadian Old Age, Retirement and Survivor Benefits (ISP5054)
- Jamaica/Canada Agreement - Application for CPP Child's Benefits (ISP5055-JAM)
- Jamaica/Canada Agreement - Application for CPP Disability Benefits (ISP5053-JAM)
Attach any necessary supporting documents, and return the application form to a social security office in Jamaica, or mail it to:
International Operations
Service Canada
P.O. Box 2710 Station Main
Edmonton AB T5J 2G4
Canada
Jamaica’s social security
Resources
- Agreement between the Government of Canada and the Government of Jamaica with Respect to Social Security
- General overview of Jamaica's social security system
- Information and access to 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 the Government of Canada and the Government of Jamaica 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.
Page details
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