Norway - Pensions and benefits
If you have lived or worked in Norway and in Canada, or you are the survivor of someone who has lived or worked in Norway and in Canada, you may be eligible for pensions or benefits from Norway or Canada, or both.
The Agreement on Social Security between Canada and Norway came into force on January 1, 1987. This agreement was replaced by a revised agreement that came into force on January 1, 2014.
Available benefits
If you contributed to both the Canada Pension Plan and the Norwegian pension program, or if you lived in Canada and Norway, this agreement may help you qualify for:
- Canadian old age and disability benefits
- Norwegian old age and disability benefits
If you are the widow, widower or child of a person who contributed to the Canada Pension Plan and lived in Norway or contributed to the Norwegian pension program, this agreement may help you qualify for:
- Canadian survivor benefits
- Norwegian survivor benefits
You may qualify for a Canadian or a Norwegian 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 Norway will pay a benefit amount reflecting the portion of your creditable periods under Norway'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 credited under the Norwegian 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 credited under the Norwegian pension program 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.
Norwegian benefits
The Norwegian pension program consists of the Basic Pension Scheme and the Supplementary Pension System. The Basic Pension Scheme provides benefits based on residence in Norway. The Supplementary Pension System, on the other hand, is similar to the Canada Pension Plan and covers most employed and self-employed persons in Norway.
To qualify for a benefit under the Basic Pension Scheme, you normally must have resided in Norway for a minimum number of years. As well, to qualify for a benefit under the Supplementary Pension Scheme, you normally must have contributed to the Scheme for a minimum number of years.
If you have not contributed to the Scheme or resided in Norway for the minimum period, you may not qualify for a Norwegian benefit. However, under the Agreement, Norway will consider periods of contribution to the Canada Pension Plan and periods of residence in Canada as credited periods under its pension program.
If you are a Canadian citizen, under the Agreement you can receive a Norwegian 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 Pensions in Canada.
If you live in Canada and want to apply for Norwegian benefits:
- Norway/Canada Agreement - Application for Norwegian old-age pension (NAV_10_01_05)
- Norway/Canada Agreement - Application for Norwegian disability benefit (NAV_12_06_05)
- Norway/Canada Agreement - Application for Norwegian survivor benefit (NAV_17_01_05)
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 Norway
If you live in Norway and want to apply for Canadian benefits:
- Norway/Canada Agreement - Application for Canadian Old Age, Retirement and Survivor Benefits (ISP5054-NOR)
- Norway/Canada Agreement - Application for CPP Child's Benefits (ISP5055-NOR)
- Norway/Canada Agreement - Application for CPP Disability Benefits (ISP5053-NOR)
Attach any necessary supporting documents, and return the application form to a social security office in Norway, or mail it to:
International Operations
Service Canada
PO Box 2710 Station Main
Edmonton AB T5J 2G4
Canada
Norway’s social security
Resources
- Agreement on Social Security between Canada the Kingdom of Norway
- General overview of Norway’s social security system
- Information on 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 Government of Canada and the Kingdom of Norway 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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