Saint Lucia - Pensions and benefits
If you have lived or worked in Saint Lucia and in Canada, or you are the survivor of someone who has lived or worked in Saint Lucia and in Canada, you may be eligible for pensions or benefits from Saint Lucia or Canada, or both.
The Agreement on Social Security between Canada and Saint Lucia came into force on January 1, 1988.
What benefits are available
If you contributed to both the Canada Pension Plan and the Saint Lucia pension program, or if you lived in Canada and Saint Lucia, this agreement may help you qualify for:
- Canadian old age and disability benefits
- Saint Lucian 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
- Saint Lucian survivor benefits.
You may qualify for a Canadian or a Saint Lucian 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 Saint Lucia will pay a benefit amount reflecting the portion of your creditable periods under Saint Lucia's pension program.
Am I eligible to receive a benefit
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 of contribution to the pension program of Saint Lucia 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 Saint Lucia since April 2, 1979, and 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.
Saint Lucian benefits
To qualify for a benefit under Saint Lucia's pension program, you normally must have contributed to the program for a minimum period of time. If you have not contributed to Saint Lucia's pension program for the minimum period, under the Agreement, Saint Lucia will consider periods of contribution to the Canada Pension Plan since April 2, 1979, and periods of residence in Canada since that same date as credited periods under its pension program.
If you are a Canadian citizen, under the Agreement you can receive a Saint Lucian benefit while residing in Canada.
How do I 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, see Pensions in Canada.
If you live in Canada and want to apply for Saint Lucian benefits:
- Saint Lucia/Canada Agreement – Application for Saint Lucian Retirement Benefit (RB-1)
- Saint Lucia/Canada Agreement – Application for Saint Lucian Invalidity Benefit (INV-B1)
- Saint Lucia/Canada Agreement – Application for Saint Lucian Funeral Grant (FB-1)
- Saint Lucia/Canada Agreement - Application for Saint Lucian Survivor benefit (SUR-B1)
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 Saint Lucia
If you live in Saint Lucia and want to apply for Canadian benefits:
- Saint Lucia/Canada Agreement - Application for Canadian Old Age, Retirement and Survivor Benefits (ISP5054-LCA)
- Saint Lucia/Canada Agreement - Application for CPP Child's Benefits (ISP5-55-LCA)
- Saint Lucia/Canada Agreement - Application for CPP Disability Benefits (ISP5053-LCA)
Attach any necessary supporting documents, and return the application form to a social security office in Saint Lucia, or mail it to:
International Operations
Service Canada
PO Box 2710 Station Main
Edmonton AB T5J 2G4
Canada
Saint Lucia's social security website
Resources
- Agreement on Social Security between Canada and Saint Lucia
- A general overview of Saint Lucia's social security system is available on the United States Social Security Administration website
- The Living abroad website provides information and access to programs and services for Canadians living abroad
- For more information on contributing to the Canada Pension Plan while working abroad, contact the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) or visit the CRA website
Note: The Agreement
This page contains general information on the Agreement on Social Security between Canada and Saint Lucia 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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