Latvia - Pensions and benefits
If you have lived or worked in Latvia and in Canada, or you are the survivor of someone who has lived or worked in Latvia and in Canada, you may be eligible for pensions or benefits from Latvia or Canada, or both.
The Agreement on Social Security between Canada and the Republic of Latvia came into force on November 1, 2006.
Available benefits
If you contributed to both the Canada Pension Plan and the Latvian pension program, or if you lived in Canada and Latvia, this agreement may help you qualify for:
- Canadian old age and disability benefits
- Latvian 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
- Latvian survivor benefits
You may qualify for a Canadian or a Latvian 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 Latvia will pay a benefit amount reflecting the portion of your creditable periods under Latvia's pension program.
Eligibility
Canadian benefits
The Canadian pension programs included in the Agreement are the Canada Pension Plan (CPP) and the Old Age Security (OAS) program.
If you do not qualify for a Canada Pension Plan benefit based on your contributions to the CPP, Canada will consider your periods of contribution to the Latvian pension program 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 of contribution to the pension program of Latvia 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.
Latvian benefits
The pension program of Latvia is similar to the Canada Pension Plan and covers most employed and self-employed persons in Latvia.
To qualify for a benefit under the pension program of Latvia, you normally must have contributed to the program for a minimum number of years.
If you have not contributed to the program for the minimum period, to qualify for a Latvian old age pension under the Agreement, Latvia will consider periods of contribution to the Canada Pension Plan and periods of residence in Canada after the age of 18 as periods of contribution under the pension program of Latvia. To determine eligibility for Latvian disability and survivor benefits, Latvia will consider periods of contribution to the Canada Pension Plan as periods of contribution under the pension program of Latvia.
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 Latvian benefits:
- Latvia/Canada Agreement - Application for a Latvian Old Age Pension (CAN/LV 1A)
- Latvia/Canada Agreement - Application for a Latvian Disability Pension (CAN/LV 1B)
- Latvia/Canada Agreement - Application for a Latvian Survivor's Pension (CAN/LV 1C)
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 Latvia
If you live in Latvia and want to apply for Canadian benefits:
- Latvia/Canada Agreement - Application for Canadian Old Age, Retirement and Survivor Benefits (ISP5054-LVA)
- Latvia/Canada Agreement - Application for CPP Child's Benefits (ISP5055-LVA)
- Latvia/Canada Agreement - Application for CPP Disability Benefits (ISP5053-LVA)
Attach any necessary supporting documents, and return the application form to a social security office in Latvia, or mail it to:
International Operations
Service Canada
PO Box 2710 Station Main
Edmonton AB T5J 2G4
Canada
Latvia’s social security
Resources
- Agreement on Social Security between Canada and the Republic of Latvia
- General overview of Latvia’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 the Governement of Canada and the Republic of Latvia 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.
Page details
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