Iceland - Pensions and benefits
If you have lived or worked in Iceland and in Canada, or you are the survivor of someone who has lived or worked in Iceland and in Canada, you may be eligible for pensions or benefits from Iceland or Canada, or both.
The Agreement on Social Security between Canada and Iceland came into force on October 1, 1989.
Available benefits
If you contributed to both the Canada Pension Plan and the Icelandic pension program, or if you lived in Canada and Iceland, this agreement may help you qualify for:
- Canadian old age and disability benefits
- Icelandic 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.
You may qualify for a Canadian or an Icelandic 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 Iceland will pay a benefit amount reflecting the portion of your creditable periods under Iceland'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 of residence in Iceland after the age of 18 as periods of contribution to the Canada Pension Plan.
If you do not qualify for an Old Age Security pension based on your years of residence in Canada, Canada will consider periods during which you resided in Iceland 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.
Icelandic benefits
The pension program of Iceland covers most persons who reside in Iceland.
To qualify for a benefit under the pension program of Iceland, you normally must have lived in Iceland for a minimum number of years.
If you have not lived in Iceland for the minimum period, to qualify for an Icelandic benefit under the Agreement, Iceland will consider periods of contribution to the Canada Pension Plan and periods of residence in Canada after the age of 18 as periods of residence in Iceland.
If you are a Canadian citizen, under the Agreement you can receive an Icelandic benefit while residing in Canada.
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 Icelandic benefits:
Attach any necessary supporting documents, and return the application form to a Service Canada Centre, or mail it to:
International Operations
Service Canada
PO Box 2710 Station Main
Edmonton, AB T5J 2G4
Canada
If you live in Iceland
If you live in Iceland and want to apply for Canadian benefits:
- Iceland/Canada Agreement - Application for Canadian Old Age, Retirement and Survivor Benefits (ISP5054-ISL)
- Iceland/Canada Agreement - Application for CPP Child's Benefits (ISP5055-ISL)
- Iceland/Canada Agreement - Application for CPP Disability Benefits (ISP5053-ISL)
Attach any necessary supporting documents, and return the application form to a social security office in Iceland, or mail it to:
International Operations
Service Canada
PO Box 2710 Station Main
Edmonton, AB T5J 2G4
Canada
Iceland's social security
Resources
- Agreement on Social Security between Canada and Iceland
- General overview of Iceland’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 Canada and Iceland 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.
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