CPP Death Benefit
The Canada Pension Plan (CPP) death benefit is a one-time, lump-sum payment to the estate on behalf of a deceased CPP contributor.
If an estate exists, the executor named in the will or the administrator named by the Court to administer the estate applies for the death benefit. The executor should apply for the benefit within 60 days of the date of death.
If no estate exists or if the executor has not applied for the death benefit, payment may be made to other persons who apply for the benefit in the following order of priority:
- the person or institution that has paid for or that is responsible for paying for the funeral expenses of the deceased;
- the surviving spouse or common-law partner of the deceased; or
- the next-of-kin of the deceased.
Eligibility
For us to pay the death benefit, the deceased must have made contributions to the Canada Pension Plan (CPP) for at least:
- one-third of the calendar years in their contributory period for the base CPP, but no less than 3 calendar years; or
- 10 calendar years.
The international social security agreements that Canada has with other countries may be used to satisfy these requirements. See lived or living outside Canada.
How much could you receive?
As of January 1, 2019, the amount of the death benefit for all eligible contributors is a flat rate of $2,500.
What if the deceased worked or lived in Quebec?
The CPP operates throughout Canada except in Quebec, where Retraite Québec provides similar benefits under the Quebec Pension Plan (QPP). A person may contribute to both the CPP and the QPP, which work together to ensure that all contributors are protected no matter where they live.
To calculate the amount of the benefits, we combine the contributions made under both plans.
Contact Retraite Québec if at the time of death, one of these conditions also applies:
- the deceased lived outside Canada and the last province of residence was Quebec; or
- the deceased lived in Quebec at the time of death.
Apply
To apply, you must complete the Application for a Canada Pension Plan Death Benefit (ISP1200), include certified true copies of the required documentation, and mail it to the closest Service Canada Centre to you. Addresses are provided on the form.
After you have applied
Payment from Service Canada takes approximately 6 to 12 weeks from the date we receive your completed application.
If more than 12 weeks have passed and you have not received payment from Service Canada, please contact us at 1-800-277-9914 (TTY: 1-800-255-4786). Agents are available to assist you from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. local time. (9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. for Newfoundland and Labrador).
