Looking for information on CPP Survivor Benefits? Discover how long you can receive these benefits, who qualifies, and how to apply. Since 1966, the Canada Pension Plan has been a crucial financial lifeline, supporting Canadians after retirement, disability, or in cases of a family member’s passing. Let’s explore CPP Survivor Benefits in detail to provide you with the essential financial assistance information you need.
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CPP Survivor Benefits
If you contribute to the CPP (Canada Pension Plan), you’ll receive monthly payments after you retire. This plan also provides benefits for children, a pension for survivors, and a death benefit. If a CPP contributor passes away, their survivor is eligible to receive these benefits.
To receive benefits, the contributor must have donated a substantial amount to the benefit account. This plan is especially beneficial for family members who rely solely on the contributor’s earnings. The survivor will receive monthly payments.
How Long Will I Receive Survivor Benefits?
To qualify for the plan’s survivor benefits, the contributor must have made eligible contributions for at least three years. Only then will the survivor be entitled to receive benefits from the plan.
Spouses or legal partners can receive payments for their lifetime. However, CPP Survivor Benefits for children end once they turn twenty-five. To check eligibility, let’s move on to the next section.
Who is Entitled to Receive CPP Survivor Benefits?
Only those who meet the specified standards set by the authorities will qualify for this scheme. An eligible survivor can be someone related to the contributor through marriage, as a legal partner, or as their child.
If the survivor is a spouse, they remain eligible even if they remarry. For children to qualify, they must be under twenty-five years old and currently enrolled as full-time students at a school or university. Their eligibility ends if they discontinue their education.
How Much Can I Get?
The amount of CPP Survivor Benefits you receive mainly depends on the contributions you’ve made. It’s calculated considering several factors:
- The amount and duration of your contributions.
- Your age at the time of the contributor’s death.
- If your children are financially dependent on you.
- Whether you’re receiving any other CPP benefits.
- If you have a disability.
The pension amount is also crucial, as officials consider your contributions before making these calculations.
| Age | Benefit Amount |
| More than 65 | 60 % of the pension |
| Between 45 and 64 | The base amount, along with 37.5 % of the pension |
| Less than 45 with a disability or a child dependent on them | |
| Below 45 without any disability or dependent child | Same as above, after deducting 1/120 part for each of the months survivor was below the age of 45 |
| Less than 35 without disability or dependent child | The benefit starts only after the survivor reaches the age of 65 or if they get disabled before that. |
If the eligible survivor qualifies for any other benefits, the amount they receive from CPP Survivor Benefits will be adjusted accordingly, following the regulations set by the authorities.
How to Apply for CPP Survivor Benefits?
To receive the benefits from this plan, the survivor needs to apply shortly after the contributor passes away. Additionally, payments are only made if contributions have been made for the specified period as outlined in the plan.
You can complete the application either online or by filling out a paper form and submitting it to the relevant department. Here’s how to submit the online application:
- Make sure your device is connected to the internet to avoid any delays.
- Open your web browser and go to the My Service Canada website.
- Log in using your registered credentials.
- Fill out the CPP Survivor Benefits form.
- You’ll need to upload certain supporting documents for your claim.
- Ensure the documents are uploaded in the correct format within the provided space, or you can mail them to the nearest Service Canada Centre.
- Include the Social Insurance Number (SIN) of both the deceased contributor and the survivor.
- Before submitting the form, read the instructions carefully.
Remember, you must apply for the benefit within one year of the contributor’s death. Payments typically start within 1.5 to 3 months after you submit your application.