Survivor Benefits (Canada Pension Plan)

Responsibility: Service Canada

When you die, if you have contributed to the Canada Pension Plan, amounts may be paid to your surviving spouse or common-law partner and dependent children.

Note: In this text, all expressions referring to persons include the feminine and masculine.

CANADA PENSION PLAN SURVIVOR BENEFITS

1. What are Canada Pension Plan Survivor benefits?
Canada Pension Plan survivor benefits are amounts paid to the estate of a deceased contributor, the surviving spouse or common-law partner and dependent children. There are three types of benefits:

• Death benefit is a one-time amount payable to or on behalf of the estate of a deceased Canada Pension Plan contributor;
• Survivor's pension is a monthly pension paid to the surviving spouse or common-law partner of a deceased contributor;
• A child's benefit is a monthly benefit paid to the dependent children of a deceased contributor.
• It is important to apply for Canada Pension Plan benefits. If you do not apply, you may lose benefits to which you are entitled.

2. How long do I have to contribute for my survivors to receive benefits?
If your "contributory period" under the Canada Pension Plan exceeds nine years, you must have made Contributions for the lesser of

• one-third of the calendar years in your Contributory Period;
• 10 calendar years.
• You must have contributed for a minimum of three years.

CONTRIBUTORY PERIOD
The total period of your life during which you can contribute to the Canada Pension Plan is called the Contributory Period. It is used to calculate the amount of any Canada Pension Plan benefits you are entitled to receive. Your Contributory Period begins when you turn 18 or in January 1966 (when the CPP began) and continues until you begin receiving your Retirement Pension, turn 70 or die (whichever comes first).

3. Who is eligible for survivor benefits?
The Canada Pension Plan Death Benefit is a one-time lump sum payment made to the estate of the deceased contributor. If there is no estate, the person responsible for the funeral expenses, the surviving spouse or common-law partner, or the next-of-kin may be eligible, in that order.

The Canada Pension Plan survivor's pension is paid to the person who, at the time of death, is the spouse or common-law partner of the deceased contributor. If you are the legally separated spouse and there is no common-law partner, you may be eligible for this benefit.

If your deceased same-sex common-law partner contributed to the Canada Pension Plan, you may be eligible for survivor benefits.

The Canada Pension Plan Child's benefit is paid to a natural or adopted dependent child of the deceased contributor or to a child in the contributor's care and control at the time of death. The child must be under the age of 18 or between the ages of 18 and 25 and in full-time attendance at a school or university. (See Child's benefits for students age 18 to 25)

4. How much is the death benefit?
As with most Canada Pension Plan benefits, the amount of the death benefit depends on the length of time and the amount of contributions you have made to the Canada Pension Plan.

The Canada Pension Plan first calculates the amount of the Canada Pension Plan Retirement Pension or the amount you would have received if you had been 65 at the time of death. The death benefit is equal to six months of this "calculated" retirement pension, up to a maximum of $2,500.

5. How much will a spouse or common-law partner receive?
The amount a spouse or common-law partner will receive depends on :

• whether the spouse or common-law partner is receiving a retirement or disability pension from the Canada Pension Plan
• the amount of contributions to the Plan and the number of years the contributions are made
• the age of the spouse or common-law partner at the time of the contributor's death.

First, the Canada Pension Plan calculates the amount of the Canada Pension Plan retirement pension or what the contributor would have received had he or she been 65 years of age at the time of death. Then, depending on the age of the survivor at the time of the contributor's death, another calculation is made. See the following table:

CANADA PENSION PLAN SURVIVOR BENEFITS

In 2002-2003, the average survivor pension paid was $280.49 per month. In 2004, the maximum amount for those 65 and older is $488.50 per month and $454.42 per month for those under 65.

6. Who is eligible for the Child's benefit, and how much is it?
A Child who has lost at least one parent who was a Canada Pension Plan contributor may be eligible. In order for the benefit to be paid, the deceased parent had to meet the contribution requirements.

The monthly Child's benefit is paid at a flat rate that is adjusted annually. In 2004, the Child's benefit is $192.65 per month.

A Child may receive up to two benefits if:

• both parents have made Canada Pension Plan contributions for the minimum number of years
• each parent is either disabled (according to Canada Pension Plan rules) or deceased.

Our disability benefits site can provide you with information on this subject.

Note: If the child is under 18, the benefit is usually paid to the person with whom the child lives. However, in a few cases, the benefit may be paid to the child who applies for it. If the child is 18 years of age or older, and is eligible for the benefit because he or she is in full-time attendance at a school or university, the benefit is paid directly to the child when he or she applies for it.

APPLICATION FOR SURVIVOR BENEFITS

7. Are survivor benefits still paid?
No. The person who dies must have contributed to the Canada Pension Plan for a sufficient number of years. In addition, survivors must meet the eligibility requirements and apply for benefits.

8. If I am the survivor, when should I apply for these benefits?
You should apply as soon as possible after the death of the Contributor. Otherwise, you may lose benefits. The Canada Pension Plan can only make retroactive payments for 12 months.

Note: If you are widowed more than once, only one survivor's pension will be paid, the highest.

9. Who should complete the Application?
As a survivor, you are responsible for applying for your monthly pension. If you are unable to apply, your representative (such as a guardian) may apply on your behalf.

If you are caring for a Dependent Child of the deceased Contributor and that Child is under the age of 18, you should also apply for a Child's benefit on that Child's behalf. However, Children under age 18 who are no longer living at home may complete their own Application.

Dependent children between the ages of 18 and 25 who are attending school or university full time must apply for the Child's benefit themselves.

The executor, administrator or representative of the estate should apply for the death benefit. If there is no estate, the person responsible for funeral expenses, the survivor or next of kin may make the application, in that order.

10. How do I apply?
You must complete an application form. Application kits are available at all Human Resource Centres of Canada and many funeral homes. The kit contains information and instructions as well as a list of documents you will need to apply.

You can request a kit and assistance at any time by calling 1-800-277-9915. If you have a hearing or speech impairment and use a TTY/TDD, please call 1-800-255-4786.

RECEIVING SURVIVOR BENEFITS

11. When is the death benefit paid?
The death benefit is a one-time payment generally made within six to twelve weeks of filing the application if we have the required supporting documentation.

12. When will monthly benefits begin to be paid?
Survivor's pension and child's benefit payments may begin in the month following the death of the contributor. Once the Canada Pension Plan has received all the necessary information and supporting documentation, it will review your application.

It may take six to twelve weeks to receive your first payment. If you are late in applying, the Canada Pension Plan may pay retroactive benefits for up to 12 months.

13. When will my payment arrive each month?
You will receive your benefit during the last three business days of the month, either by direct deposit or by check, depending on the method you choose. If you do not receive your payment within one week or if you lose it, please contact Income Security Programs.

14. Can my payments be deposited directly into my bank account?
Yes, direct deposit is a system we use to automatically deposit your monthly Canada Pension Plan payments into your bank account in Canada or the United States. Contact us for more information on how to sign up for direct deposit, change your banking information or cancel the direct deposit service.

Please refer to the section entitled Remittance Dates for direct deposit dates.

15. What happens if I change my address?
You must notify us of your new address immediately, even if your payments are direct deposited to your bank account. This will allow us to send you important information such as your tax slip.

You can report a change of address 24 hours a day, 7 days a week by calling our toll-free voice mail service at 1-800-277-9915. If you have a hearing or speech impairment and use a TTY/TDD, please call 1-800-255-4786.

We will ask for your social insurance number, new address, postal code and telephone number, including area code. Please note that if you are calling on behalf of a third party, you are not permitted to make such changes unless you have written authorization from that person.

16. Will I lose my survivor's pension if I remarry?
Not necessarily. You will continue to receive your pension even if you remarry.

Note: A change was made to the rules in 1987. If you have already lost a Canada Pension Plan Survivor's benefit because you have remarried, please contact Income Security Programs to see if you are now eligible.

17. If a surviving Child marries, will he or she lose the Child's benefit?
Not necessarily. Benefits are not changed if the child marries, as long as they still meet all other eligibility requirements.

18. What happens when a Child turns 18?
When a Child turns 18, he or she may continue to receive the benefit if he or she is in full-time attendance at a school or university. The Child must complete the application form and a "Declaration of Attendance at School or University". These forms should be completed as soon as possible as retroactive payments can only be made for a 12-month period.

The monthly benefit will be paid directly to the child. The Child's benefit is paid during the regular school vacations, but will cease if the Child has not submitted a signed School Attendance Form to the Canada Pension Plan when the Child returns to school after the school vacations. This form must be completed annually or semiannually and signed by the Child and a member of the school administration.

If the child leaves school and returns later on a full-time basis, the child's benefits may be reinstated. They will be paid starting with the month in which the child returns to school. The child's benefit will not be reinstated unless the child requests it.

19. When will my survivor's pension end?
If you, the survivor, are over age 35 (at the time of the contributor's death), your pension will end :

• the month following your death.
  

If you are under age 35 (at the time of the contributor's death), your survivor's pension will end when :

• you are no longer disabled (according to the Canada Pension Plan Act)
• you are no longer raising the deceased contributor's dependent child;
• the month following your death.

The Child's benefit stops when :

• a Child between the ages of 18 and 25 is no longer in full-time attendance at a school or university
• the Child reaches age 25; or
• the Child dies.

You must notify the Canada Pension Plan of changes that affect your eligibility. If you don't, and you receive payments that you are not entitled to, you will have to repay them.

COMBINED CANADA PENSION PLAN PENSIONS

20. Can I receive another Canada Pension Plan pension at the same time I receive a Canada Pension Plan Survivor's pension?
If you are already receiving a CPP retirement pension or disability benefit, the survivor pension and the other benefit will be combined into one monthly payment.

Please note the following restrictions on benefit amounts:

• The maximum that can be paid to a person who qualifies for the CPP disability benefit and survivor pension is the maximum disability benefit (which is greater than the maximum survivor pension);
  
• The maximum that can be paid to a person who is eligible for both the CPP retirement pension and the CPP survivor pension is the maximum retirement pension (which is greater than the maximum survivor pension);
  
• The total combined CPP benefit paid is adjusted for the age of the survivor and other benefits received.
  

In other words, you cannot receive a full survivor's pension while also receiving a full CPP retirement pension or disability benefit.

When a disability benefit is combined with a survivor pension, the amount of the disability benefit is reduced and the amount of the survivor pension does not change.

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