How do I apply for CPP retirement benefits?
The standard age to start getting is 65 years old.
But you can get:
- a reduced pension if you apply as early as age 60, or
- an increased pension if you apply as late as age 70.
You can apply up to 12 months before you want to start getting your retirement benefits. Service Canada suggests applying about 6 months before you want your CPP retirement benefits to start.
If you didn’t apply in time to get CPP retirement benefits at the standard age of 65, you can apply to get some or all the amount that you missed. To do this you have to be at least one month older than 65. The most you can get is 11 months’ worth of benefits. And you won’t get paid for any time earlier than the date you turned 65.
You can apply online or by using a paper application.
Applying online
To apply online, you need to use your My Service Canada Account. And you’ll need to create one if you don’t have one already.
When you sign in to your account, you’ll see your and get an estimate of how much your monthly retirement benefits will be. You’ll see other information like your tax slips and how to make your application online.
You can give your banking information so your benefits are deposited into your bank account. And you can say when you’d like your CPP retirement pension to start.
Using the paper application
You can’t apply online if you’ve already sent in a paper application or if you are or have received other benefits from CPP. For example, this might be or CPP children’s benefits.
And you can’t apply online if:
- you live outside of Canada, or
- you have someone officially taking care of your finances, such as a trustee, guardian, or other .
Instead, you’ll have to fill out a paper application and either take it to a Service Canada office or send it by mail.
