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Are you ready to apply

You need to apply to receive the Canada Pension Plan (CPP) retirement pension. Check that you qualify and choose your start date before you begin your application.

  • 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.

Gather your information

Before you begin your application, please ensure you have the following:

  • Social Insurance Number (SIN)
  • Direct Deposit information
    • Name of your financial institution
    • Branch (transit) number
    • Account number
  • If you have lived or worked in a country other than Canada
    • Country name
    • Insurance number
    • Start and end date
  • If applying for Child Rearing Provision
    • Child's full name
    • Child's Social Insurance Number
    • Child's date of birth
    • Documentation showing the child's date of entry into Canada (if born outside Canada)
      • Canadian immigration records (IMM 1000)
      • Complete passport
      • Customs declaration
      • Airline ticket
      • Bus ticket
      • Ship ticket
    • Dates when you did not receive Family Allowance or were not eligible for the Canada Child Benefit
    • Dates that you were not the primary caregiver for the child(ren)

If you are receiving a CPP disability benefit

When you turn 65, your CPP disability benefit will automatically change to a CPP retirement pension.

If you lived or are living outside of Canada

If you are applying from outside of Canada, you must use a paper application. Send your application to the Service Canada office in your last province or territory of residence. Learn more about pensions and benefits if you have lived or are living outside Canada.

Apply

To start, you can either Apply online or Apply with a paper form.

Apply online

Before proceeding, check if you’re eligible to use the online option to apply

You need to fill out a paper application instead of applying online if any of the following apply to you:

  • You live outside of Canada
  • You have a third party (like a power of attorney or a trustee) managing your CPP account
  • Your CPP disability benefit ended before you turned 65
  • You were 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

If you cannot apply online, you will need to apply with a paper form.

  1. 1. Register or sign into your My Service Canada Account (MSCA) to:
    Apply
  2. 2. Complete this option (if required):

    If someone is helping you communicate with Service Canada

    You can authorize someone to communicate with Service Canada on your behalf by signing in to your My Service Canada Account and selecting the "Give consent to communicate on my behalf" link.

    This does not give someone consent to:

    • apply for benefits on your behalf
    • change your payment address
    • request or change the withholding of tax
  3. 3. Start your application:
    • Select "Apply for Canada Pension Plan retirement pension" link from the Canada Pension Plan section

How long will it take to process your application

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

Apply with a paper form

  1. 1. Complete the form:
  2. 2. Choose and complete an option (if required):

    If someone is helping you communicate with Service Canada

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

    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. Choose and complete the form that applies to you:
  3. 3. Submit the form(s)

How long will it take to process your application

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

Check your application status

Use one of the following methods to check your application status:

Updating and correcting your application

To update your direct deposit, mailing address or telephone number use one of the following methods:

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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