Apply

To complete your application you need to do the following:

If you are already familiar with the program:

Apply now

Step 1: Make sure you qualify

To qualify for your Canada Pension Plan (CPP) retirement pension, you must:

  • be at least 60 years old
  • have made at least one valid contribution to the CPP

Valid contributions can be either from work you did in Canada, or as the result of receiving credits from a former spouse or former common-law partner at the end of the relationship.

If you live in Quebec and you have made contributions to both the CPP and the QPP, you must apply to the QPP to request your retirement pension.

Step 2: Decide when you want your pension to start

You’ll be asked to choose one of the following:

  • start receiving your pension as soon as you qualify
  • start receiving your pension at age 65 (your pension will start the month after your 65th birthday)
  • start receiving your pension at a specific date that you choose

You’ll need to understand when is the best time for you to start receiving your pension.

Step 3: Decide how to apply

You must complete and send a paper application if:

  • you have previously received a CPP disability benefit that stopped prior to your 65th birthday, or you have been denied a CPP disability benefit
  • at any time between the ages of 18 to 25 you received a CPP children's benefit that was not paid directly to you
  • at any time when you were under age 18 you received or were denied a CPP children's benefit and you did not receive a CPP children's benefit after age 18
  • you're receiving a CPP survivor's pension that you qualified for through an International Social Security Agreement
  • you live outside Canada
  • you have an authorized third party such as a power of attorney or trustee that manages your CPP account

 
Apply Online

To apply online you’ll need a My Service Canada Account (MSCA).

If you don’t have a MSCA, you can register for one. You’ll receive a personal access code to complete your registration.

Through MSCA, you can see an estimate of what you’ll receive. After you submit your application, you’ll be immediately notified that your application has been received and will be assessed.

Apply using a paper application

To apply by paper, download the application.

Remember to apply in advance to ensure that you start to receive your pension by the date you choose.

How long will it take to process your application

We begin to process your application once we receive your completed application form. You should receive a notice of our decision by mail within 120 days.

It could take longer to process your application if Service Canada does not have a complete application.

Step 4: Submit your application

Submit online

Apply through My Service Canada account Register for My Service Canada Account

Submit using a paper application

To apply by paper, complete the Application for a Canada Pension Plan Retirement Pension (ISP-1000) form and mail it to us, or drop it off at a Service Canada office.

  • If someone is helping you apply

    You can give permission to a person to contact Service Canada on your behalf by signing in to your My Service Canada Account or by completing the Consent to Communicate Information to an Authorized Person form (ISP-1603).

    This form does not give the person helping you authority to:

    • apply for benefits on your behalf
    • change your payment address
    • request or change the withholding of tax

Step 5: Review your application status

You can view your application status using your My Service Canada Account (MSCA), and selecting the "Application Status" link.

You can also contact Service Canada.

Note: You could be fined if there is false, misleading, or omitted information on your CPP retirement pension application. Interest is also charged on penalties and overpayments that are subject to a penalty.

You can also come forward to correct wrong or incomplete information or to give important information that you haven’t already shared with Service Canada. Learn about Penalties, Interest and Disclosure Policy.

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