CPP Survivor Benefits Explained (2022)

Working Canadians who have contributed to Canada Pension Plan (CPP) are provided basic benefits when they retire or are disabled.

However, if a CPP contributor dies, CPP offers benefits to their surviving spouse or common-law partner and dependent children under 25. These benefits are called CPP survivor benefits.

If the deceased contributed enough amount to the CPP or Quebec Pension Plan (QPP), their survivors are entitled to the CPP Death benefit, Survivor’s pension, or the Children’s benefits.

This article covers all you need to know about the types of CPP survivor benefits, their eligibility criteria, how to apply, and how much you can receive.

Without skipping a beat, let’s get right into it.

What are CPP Survivor Benefits?

CPP survivor benefits are benefits paid to eligible surviving family members of a deceased CPP contibutior.

These benefits may also be paid to a deceased contributor’s estate who has made enough contributions to the Canada Pension Plan (CPP). In Quebec, there is the Quebec Pension Plan (QPP).

When a CPP contributor dies, their eligible surviving dependents like spouse or common-law and children may be qualified to collect the following CPP Survivor benefits:

1. CPP Death Benefit

The CPP Death benefit is a lump-sum, one-time payment payable to eligible individuals or the estate of a deceased CPP contributor on behalf of a deceased CPP contributor. If there is an estate, the will executor or administrator can apply for the death benefit.

However, in the absence of an estate, CPP can make death benefit payments directly to the next-of-kin of the deceased, the surviving spouse or common-law partner, or the person responsible for the deceased’s funeral expenses.

2. Survivor’s Pension or Widow’s Pension

The CPP survivor’s pension or widow’s pension is a monthly benefit paid to the legal spouse or the common-law partner of the deceased CPP contributor.

As a spouse or common-law partner of a deceased CPP contributor, you must apply for the survivor’s pension. You will not receive the benefits if you do not apply.

3. CPP Children’s Benefits

The CPP Children’s benefit is a monthly benefit paid to the dependent children of a deceased CPP contributor.

If you are a dependent child of a deceased CPP contributor, either a natural child or legally adopted, you can receive CPP Children’s benefit if you apply.

CPP Survivor Benefits Contributory Requirements

How long must I contribute for my survivors to receive benefits?

For a survivor to be eligible for the CPP survivor benefits, the CPP contributor must have contributed one-third of the whole calendar years in your contributory period, or ten calendar years (whichever is lesser). Still, your contributions must not be less than three years.

If the deceased CPP contributor lived outside Canada, Canada’s international social security agreements with other countries might satisfy these requirements.

If the deceased CPP contributor lived or worked in Quebec, the individual might have to contribute to both the CPP and the QPP. CPP will combine the contributions under both plans during the CPP survivor benefit calculation.

Who is Eligible for the CPP Survivor Benefits?

Each of the CPP survivor benefits has its eligibility criteria. You must meet these criteria to receive the money the deceased has contributed to the CPP.

CPP Death Benefit Eligibility Requirement

The CPP Death benefit is a lump-sum payment made to the estate of the deceased CPP contributor. In the absence of an estate, the person financially responsible for the funeral, the surviving spouse or common-law partner, or their next-of-kin might be eligible to receive the CPP death benefit.

Who is Eligible for the Survivor's Pension or Widow's Pension Eligibility Requirement

The deceased CPP contributor’s legal spouse or common-law partner at the time of death is eligible for the CPP survivor’s pension.

If you are separated from your spouse, your spouse may be eligible for the widow’s pension if there is no cohabitating common-law partner at the time of the death.

CPP Children's Benefits Eligibility Requirement

The natural or adopted children of a deceased CPP contributor under the age of 25 or any child in their care and control at the time of death may be eligible to receive the CPP children’s benefit.

For the child to be eligible, they must be either under the age of 18 or between 18 and 25. The child must also be in full-time attendance at a recognized institution.

However, if the child is under 18, the benefit is paid to the person responsible for their day-to-day care. But an eligible child receives the benefits directly on the application.

How Much in CPP Survivor Benefits Could You Receive?

As a survivor, how much you could receive depends on your age and how much the deceased contributed to the CPP.

The CPP calculates the amount the deceased contributor would have received as a retirement pension and then does some further calculations based on the survivor’s age at the contributor’s death.

The amount payable as a CPP Death benefit is the six months’ worth of the estimated retirement pension. You could receive up to a maximum of $2,500.

The CPP survivor benefit amount your surviving spouse or common-law partner could receive as a monthly pension depends on how long and how much you paid into the CPP and your spouse’s age when you die.

If the spouse is already receiving a CPP disability benefit or retirement, has a dependent child, and has a disability, CPP will consider these things.

The CPP children’s benefit is a monthly children’s benefit, and its flat rate is adjusted annually. If a Canadian has contributed to CPP, their surviving dependent children will qualify for a benefit from CPP of $264.53 per month (2022).  

How To Apply for the CPP Survivor Benefit

You need to apply for the CPP survivor benefit as soon as possible after the contributor’s death. You may lose benefits if you delay your application. CPP only makes back payments for 12 months.

As the survivor, it is your duty to apply for your monthly pension, but if you are incapable of applying, a representative or a trustee can apply on your behalf. A registered trustee, legal representative, or a guardian may act on your behalf in person, phone, or by mail.

To Apply for the CPP Survivor Benefit Online,

• Log into your MSCA and fill out the CPP Survivor’s Pension form online.
• Mail or drop off true certified copies of the relevant papers at a Service Canada office.
• Before sending any documentation to Service Canada, include both the deceased contributor’s and your own Social Insurance Number on all the documents.

To Submit a Paper Application for The CPP Survivor Benefits,

• Fill out the survivor’s pension and children’s benefits application under the Canada Pension Plan (ISP1300).
• Include certified true copies of all relevant documents.
• Drop the form off at a Service Canada office or mail it.
• Before sending any documentation to Service Canada, include both the deceased contributor’s and your own Social Insurance Number on all the documents.

Things To Consider After Applying for the CPP Survivor Benefits

The survivor’s pension begins the month following the contributor’s death. From the date Service Canada receives your application, it takes around 6 to 12 weeks to receive your first payment.

However, if your application has been pending for over 12 weeks, you can contact the Canada Pension Plan to inquire about its progress and find out the status of your application.

What Can You Do If You Disagree With a CPP Decision?

Suppose you disagree with any decision from the CPP that affects you, maybe your eligibility or the amount of the CPP benefit. In that case, you have the right to request consideration.

If you do not understand any CPP decision, you can ask the CPP for explanations. If the answers do not satisfy you, you can ask the CPP for reconsideration.

You can appeal to a review tribunal if you are not satisfied with the reconsiderations. You must apply within 90 days of receiving the decision.

Can You Combine CPP Survivor Benefits with Other CPP Benefits?

Yes. If you are already receiving a CPP retirement or disability pension, the CPP may combine the survivor pension into a single monthly payment.

However, you may not receive a full survivor’s pension while also receiving full retirement or disability pension. The combined benefit is not the sum of two benefits.

The maximum amount payable to a person eligible for disability and survivor’s pension is the maximum disability pension. This is more than the maximum survivor’s pension.

The maximum amount payable to an individual eligible for retirement and survivor’s pension is the maximum retirement pension. This is also more than the maximum survivor’s pension.

When combining benefits, the CPP adjusts the total amount paid based on the survivor’s age and other benefits they receive.

Are CPP Survivor Benefits Taxable?

Yes. CPP benefits are seen as taxable income. CPP can deduct taxes from your monthly benefits if you request it. However, you might have to pay income tax in quarterly installments if you do not request tax deductions.

If the CPP death benefit is paid to the deceased’s estate, You should declare the benefits on line 19 of the trust’s T3 income tax and information return on the estate’s taxable income in the year it is received.

If a survivor receives CPP payments, they must declare it on line 130 of their tax and benefit return.

Final Thoughts on CPP Survivor Benefits

Although we only associate the Canada Pension Plan (CPP) with income in retirement, the CPP Survivor Benefit is also available for the family of a deceased contributor.

Sadly, it’s never worth as much as the deceased was receiving; if you are a spouse or dependent child of a CPP contributor, take advantage of this benefit and apply for it.

It can go a long way in assisting your family with some financial burdens.

FAQS on CPP Survivor Benefits

Are CPP Survivor benefits always paid?

No. Not always. If the deceased did not make sufficient contributions to the CPP in the required years, CPP might not pay the benefits.

When do monthly payments begin?

The month after the CPP contributor’s death, the CPP survivor’s pension and children’s benefits begin. THE APPLICATION WILL BE PROCESSED when CPP has all the information and documentation.

When should I expect payments to arrive each month?

Your payments will arrive on the third last banking day of the month if you receive payment directly to your bank account. However, if you accept payment by mail, it will arrive during each month’s last three banking days.

Will I lose my survivor's/widow's pension if I remarry?

No. Even when you remarry, your pension will continue.

How long does CPP survivor benefit last?

At the time of the CPP contributor’s death, if you are over 35, the pension stops after your death. However, if you are under 35, your pension stops when you do not have a disability, no longer raise the deceased’s child, or after your death.

Can I get children's benefits if I'm married?

Yes. As long as you meet the eligibility criteria, the children’s benefits will not be affected if you marry.

What happens to my children's benefits when I turn 18?

At age 18, you are still eligible for the children’s benefits. You must be in full-time attendance at an institution and complete an application and a “Declaration of Attendance at School or University” form.

What happens to my children's benefits if I leave school?

The children’s benefits will stop if you leave school. You will have to reapply if you return to school before it is reinstated.

When do children's benefits stop?

Your children’s benefits stop when you are between 18 and 25 and no longer go to school, when you reach 25, or when you die.

Can I receive my CPP Survivor benefits outside Canada?

Yes. If you can meet all the CPP eligibility criteria, CPP can make your payments anywhere.

Do I get cost-of-living increases on my CPP Survivor benefits?

Yes. Your CPP payments are adjusted in January and indexed to the cost of living.

Do my CPP Survivor benefits affect the amount I receive from other programs?

Yes. It’s possible. Other programs such as War veterans Allowances, Allowance for the Survivor, and GIS take your CPP income into account. CPP might also affect your employer pension amount or your private-sector disability insurance.