10.2.2 Canada Pension Plan

The Canada Pension Plan (CPP) is an earnings-related social insurance program that provides basic benefits when a contributor to the plan retires or becomes disabled. It provides three kinds of benefits:

This section focuses on the retirement pension. To learn more about the other benefits, visit Service Canada. For information on the Quebec Pension Plan, see the section titled Quebec Pension Plan.

The CPP retirement pension

A CPP retirement pension is a monthly benefit paid to people who have contributed to the Canada Pension Plan. The pension is designed to replace about 25 percent of a person's earnings from employment. In October 2023, the average monthly payment at age 65 is $758.32, and the maximum monthly payment you can receive in 2024 is $1,364.60.

Contributions to the CPP

With very few exceptions, every person in Canada over 18 who earns more than $3,500 per year must pay into the CPP or Québec Pension Plan (QPP). You and your employer each pay half of the contributions. If you are self-employed, you pay both portions.

The amount you pay is based on your employment earnings. If you are self-employed, it is based on your net business income (after expenses). You pay contributions only on your annual earnings between a minimum and a maximum level (these are called your "pensionable" earnings). The minimum level is frozen at $3,500. The maximum level is adjusted each January, based on increases in the average wage. In 2024, the maximum level is $68,500.

Retirement pension amounts

Your CPP retirement pension is based on how much, and for how long, you contributed to the CPP, or to both the CPP and the QPP. The age at which you choose to retire also affects the amount you receive. Every year, the CPP retirement pension is adjusted to rise with inflation.

You can apply for and receive a full CPP retirement pension at age 65 or receive it as early as age 60 with a reduction, or as late as age 70 with an increase.

The amount of your pension will depend on how much and for how long you have contributed to the CPP and on your age when you want your pension to start. If you take it before age 65, your pension will be reduced, by up to 36% at age 60. If you take it after age 65, your pension may be larger, by up to 42% at age 70.​

The chart shows the average and maximum monthly benefits paid under the CPP for 2024.

Canada Pension Plan pensions and benefits – Monthly and maximum payment amounts January to December 2024
Type of pension or benefit Average amount for new beneficiaries (October 2023) Maximum payment  amount (2024)
Retirement pension (at age 65) $758.32 $1,364.60
Post-retirement benefit (at age 65) $11.41 $44.46
Disability benefit $1,127.30 $1,606.78
Post-retirement disability benefit
$583.32 $583.32
Survivor's pension—younger than 65 $498.66 $739.31
Survivor's pension—65 and older $315.77 $818.76
Children of disabled CPP contributors $294.12 $294.12
Children of deceased CPP contributors $281.72 $294.12 
Death benefit (one-time payment) $2,499.73 $2,500.00
Combined benefits
Combined survivors and retirement pension (at age 65) $944.53 $1,375.41
Combined survivor's and disability benefit $1,230.33 $1,613.54

To find out what CPP retirement pension benefits you will qualify for, and how much you can expect to receive, visit your local Service Canada office, call 1-800-277-9914 or visit Service Canada.

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