St. Kitts and Nevis - Pensions and benefits
If you have lived or worked in St. Kitts and Nevis and in Canada, or you are the survivor of someone who has lived or worked in St. Kitts and Nevis and in Canada, you may be eligible for pensions or benefits from St. Kitts and Nevis or Canada, or both.
The Agreement on Social Security between Canada and St. Kitts and Nevis came into force on January 1, 1994.
Available benefits
If you contributed to both the Canada Pension Plan and the St. Kitts and Nevis pension program, or if you lived in Canada and St. Kitts and Nevis, this agreement may help you qualify for:
- Canadian old age and disability benefits
- St. Kitts and Nevis 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
- St. Kitts and Nevis survivor benefits
You may qualify for a Canadian or a St. Kitts and Nevis 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 St. Kitts and Nevis will pay a benefit amount reflecting the portion of your creditable periods under St. Kitts and Nevis'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, Canada will consider periods credited under the pension program of St. Kitts and Nevis as periods of contribution to the Canada Pension Plan.
If you do not qualify for an Old Age Security pension because you have not lived in Canada for the minimum number of years, Canada will consider periods during which you resided in St. Kitts and Nevis after the age of 18 and since February 1, 1978, or periods credited under the pension program of St. Kitts and Nevis 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.
St. Kitts and Nevis benefits
The pension program of St. Kitts and Nevis is similar to the Canada Pension Plan and covers most employed and self-employed persons in St. Kitts and Nevis.
To qualify for a benefit under the St. Kitts and Nevis pension program, you normally must have contributed to the program for a minimum number of weeks.
If you have not contributed to the program for the minimum period, under the Agreement, St. Kitts and Nevis will consider periods of contribution to the Canada Pension Plan since 1978 and periods of residence in Canada after the age of 18 since February 1, 1978 as credited periods under the pension program of St. Kitts and Nevis.
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 St. Kitts and Nevis 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 St. Kitts and Nevis:
If you live in St. Kitts and Nevis and want to apply for Canadian benefits:
- St. Kitts and Nevis/Canada Agreement - Application for Canadian Old Age, Retirement and Survivor Benefits (ISP5054-KNA)
- St. Kitts and Nevis/Canada Agreement - Application for CPP Child's Benefits (ISP5055-KNA)
- St. Kitts and Nevis/Canada Agreement - Application for CPP Disability Benefits (ISP5053-KNA)
Attach any necessary supporting documents, and return the application form to a social security office in St. Kitts and Nevis, or mail it to:
International Operations
Service Canada
PO Box 2710 Station Main
Edmonton AB T5J 2G4
Canada
St. Kitts and Nevis' social security
Resources
- Agreement on Social Security between Canada and and the Federation of St. Kitts and Nevis
- General overview of St. Kitts and Nevis 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 Canada and the Federation of St. Kitts and Nevis 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
- Date modified: