CPP Survivor Benefits

Long version

The Canada Pension Plan (CPP) pension is designed to provide a modest stream of income to Canadian retirees. For those who qualify, a CPP retirement pension is paid for life. When a CPP contributor passes away, there are three types of CPP benefits that may be available to their estate, surviving spouse or common-law partner, and dependent children.

CPP Death Benefit

The CPP Death Benefit is a one-time lump-sum payment of $2,500 made to your estate, or another eligible individual, upon death. To qualify, you must have made CPP contributions for at least 10 years or for at least one-third of the calendar years in your contributory period for the base CPP. In most cases, the CPP Death Benefit is included in your estate and taxed accordingly. If you have a will, your executor must apply within the first 60 days after death. If there is no will, other specified individuals may apply.

CPP Survivor's Pension

The CPP Survivor's Pension is a monthly payment made to the legal spouse or common-law partner of a deceased CPP contributor. To qualify, your legally married spouse or common-law partner must also have been a CPP contributor.

The amount of the CPP Survivor's Pension depends on the surviving spouse or partner's age and how much the deceased contributed to CPP during their working years. It's important to note that the combined CPP retirement benefit and survivor benefit cannot exceed the maximum CPP retirement pension amount, which was $1,364.60 per month at age 65 in 2024.

CPP Children's Benefit

The CPP Children's Benefit is a regular monthly payment to the dependent child or children of a deceased CPP contributor. To qualify, the child must be under age 18, or under age 25 and attending a recognized school or university on a full-time basis. At age 25, the benefit is no longer payable. The child must also be either the natural or legally adopted child of the deceased CPP contributor.

The CPP Children's Benefit is a monthly flat-rate amount of $294.12 (2024), adjusted annually.

How to apply

Applicants can apply for CPP survivor benefits online by signing into the My Service Canada Account and completing the appropriate online CPP application form. Alternatively, you can apply with a paper application by completing either an Application for a CPP Death Benefit or the CPP Survivor's Pension and Children's Benefits application form.

Understanding what benefits may be available to your family following a death can help ease the administrative burden during a difficult time. If you have questions about how CPP survivor benefits fit into your broader financial plan, speak with your financial advisor.

Edward Jones, its associates and financial advisors cannot provide tax or legal advice. You should consult your lawyer or qualified tax professional regarding your situation.

This content was provided by Edward Jones for use by (FA's NAME), your Edward Jones financial advisor at (branch address or phone #).

Edward Jones, Member - Canadian Investor Protection Fund 

Number of words: 464

Radio version

30-second version

If your spouse or common-law partner passes away, do you know what support CPP may provide? There are three survivor benefits.

• The CPP Death Benefit is a one-time lump-sum payment to the estate.
• The Survivor's Pension is a monthly payment to you as the surviving spouse or common-law partner.
• And dependent children may qualify for a monthly Children's Benefit.

Speak with your financial advisor about how these benefits fit your plan.

Edward Jones, its associates and financial advisors cannot provide tax or legal advice. You should consult your lawyer or qualified tax professional regarding your situation.

This content was provided by Edward Jones for use by (FA's NAME), your Edward Jones financial advisor at (branch address or phone #).

Edward Jones, Member - Canadian Investor Protection Fund

Number of words: 96

15-second version

If your spouse passes away, CPP may provide financial support to you through three survivor benefits: a one-time Death Benefit, a monthly Survivor's Pension and a monthly Children's Benefit for dependent children.

Speak with your financial advisor to learn more.

Edward Jones, its associates and financial advisors cannot provide tax or legal advice. You should consult your lawyer or qualified tax professional regarding your situation.

This content was provided by Edward Jones for use by (FA's NAME), your Edward Jones financial advisor at (branch address or phone #).

Edward Jones, Member - Canadian Investor Protection Fund

Number of words: 65