Do you qualify
Who can receive the Allowance for the Survivor
To qualify for the Allowance for the Survivor benefit, you need to meet the following conditions:
- Your spouse or common-law partner has died and you have not remarried or entered into a new common-law relationship
- You are 60 to 64 years old
- You live in Canada
- You have lived in Canada for at least 10 years since the age of 18
- You are not currently under a sponsorship agreement
- Your annual income is less than $30,336
Income thresholds
| Your situation | Your annual net income must be |
|---|---|
| I am a surviving spouse or common-law partner | less than $30,336 |
If you do not have 10 years of residence in Canada
If you have not resided in Canada for at least 10 years since you turned 18, but you have resided or worked in a country that has a social security agreement with Canada, you may still be eligible for a partial benefit.
If you moved to Canada as an immigrant
Immigrants who are sponsored
You cannot receive the Allowance for the Survivor while sponsored, unless your sponsor:
- Has died
- Is imprisoned for more than 6 months
- Has been convicted of an offence against you
- Declares personal bankruptcy
Sponsorship rules (effective October 1, 2025)
- If you are under a sponsorship agreement, you cannot receive the Guaranteed Income Supplement, the Allowance, or Allowance for the Survivor for the entire length of your sponsorship agreement
- Parent and grandparent sponsorship agreements have been extended from 10 to 20 years in all provinces except Quebec
Immigrants who are not sponsored
Immigrants who are not sponsored may receive the Allowance for the Survivor if they qualify.
Learn and plan for your retirement
Explore our new retirement planning site to find out about public pensions, when to collect them and tips to consider for your retirement income.
Contact us
If you have general questions about the Allowance for the Survivor or specific questions about your application, contact us.