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Disruption of Canada Post services

Due to the labour disruption at Canada Post, mail correspondence from some programs and services may be impacted.

Consult the list of impacted programs for updates.

Are you ready to apply

Check that you qualify and choose your start date before you apply for the Canada Pension Plan (CPP) retirement pension.

  • I qualify
  • I've chosen my pension start date

What to know before you apply

Plan to apply early

Apply in advance to ensure your CPP retirement pension starts on your chosen date. You can apply up to 12 months before your chosen start date.

If someone is helping you communicate with Service Canada

You can authorize someone to communicate with Service Canada on your behalf by:

  1. signing in to your My Service Canada Account and selecting the "Give consent to communicate on my behalf" link
    or
  2. completing the Consent to Communicate Information to an Authorized Person form (ISP-1603)

This form does not give permission to:

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

If you are applying on someone's behalf

To act as an administrator for someone who cannot manage their own pension and benefits, you must:

  1. have a medical professional complete the Certificate of Incapability form (ISP-3505)
  2. complete the appropriate form based on your situation:

Decide if and when you want federal income tax deducted from your CPP payments

Your CPP retirement pension counts as income and is taxable.

Taxes are not automatically deducted. You can ask that federal income tax be deducted from your monthly payments when you submit your application. This can also be done after you apply.

Decide how to apply and submit your application

You have 2 options to apply for CPP.

How to apply online

Apply for CPP online

Situations where you cannot apply online

If any of the following apply to you, you cannot choose the option to apply online. A paper application is required if:

  • you live outside Canada
  • you have a third party (for example, power of attorney or trustee) managing a CPP account
  • your CPP disability benefit stopped before the age of 65
  • you have been denied a CPP disability benefit in the past
  • you received a CPP children's benefit between the ages of 18 to 25, but it was not paid directly to you
  • you either received or were denied a CPP children's benefit before the age of 18, and you did not receive it after the age of 25
  • you are receiving a CPP survivor's pension under an International Social Security Agreement

Before you apply online, make sure none of these situations relate to you.

  • Register or sign into your My Service Canada Account (MSCA):
    Register or Sign in to MSCA
  • Select "Apply for Canada Pension Plan retirement pension" link from the Canada Pension Plan section of your dashboard to begin your application

How long will it take to process your application

Expect a decision by mail within 28 days from when we receive the application

How to apply with a paper form

Apply for CPP by paper

How long will it take to process your application

Expect a decision by mail within 120 days from when we receive the application

View your application status

To view your application status:

  1. sign into your MSCA, and select the "View my status updates" link
    or
  2. contact Service Canada

Updating and correcting your application

How to update your direct deposit, mailing address or telephone number

Make sure your application is accurate

Make sure your application is accurate. If you notice any errors or missing information, contact us immediately to correct them.

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.

Learn about Penalties, Interest and Disclosure Policy

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