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When a CPP contributor dies, their surviving spouse and children may be eligible to collect the following benefits:
I discuss what they mean in more detail below. For background information about the Canada Pension Plan, read this article.
Table of Contents ShowThe CPP death benefit is a one-time lump-sum payment of $2,500 to the estate of a deceased CPP contributor.
The estate’s executor may apply for the funds (within 60 days), or it can also go to the surviving spouse or next of kin if there’s no estate.
For a deceased CPP contributor to qualify for the death benefit, they must have contributed to the Canada Pension Plan for the lesser of:
Service Canada should be notified shortly after the death of a CPP contributor so that CPP payments can stop. Payments made to the deceased after the month of death must be repaid.
To apply for the death benefit, complete Form ISP1200 and mail it to Service Canada.
You will also need to provide a certified copy of a document showing proof of death, such as a death certificate, notarial copy of letters of probate, registration of death, or statement of a medical doctor, funeral director, or coroner.
Benefit payments may take up to 3 months to process. If you have questions, contact Service Canada at 1-800-277-9914.
The legal spouse or common-law partner of a deceased CPP contributor may be eligible for a survivor’s pension – also referred to as a widow’s (or widower’s) pension.
How much the survivor receives is dependent on:
Eligible survivors who are 65 years or older and do not receive other CPP benefits are paid 60% of the deceased contributor’s retirement pension.
i.e. Survivor (65 years or older) = 60% of CPP contributor’s pension at 65 years.
For 2024, the maximum survivor’s pension for survivors who are 65 and over is 60% x $1,364.60 = $818.76.
Eligible survivors who are under 65 years and who are not receiving other CPP benefits are paid 37.5% of the deceased contributor’s pension plus a flat rate portion (i.e. $217.99 for 2023).
Using 2023 as an example, the maximum survivor’s benefit for survivors who are younger than 65 is: ($1,364.60 x 37.5%) + ($227.58 flat-rate component) = $739.31.
If the survivor receives other CPP benefits, e.g. CPP retirement pension or disability benefit, these benefits are combined into one monthly payment.
A surviving spouse eligible for the CPP disability and survivor’s pension can only receive a combined amount equal to the maximum disability pension.
Also, a survivor eligible for both the CPP retirement pension and survivor’s pension can only receive a combined benefit not exceeding the maximum retirement pension paid out for that year.
To apply for the survivor’s pension, complete Form ISP1300 and mail it to Service Canada. You can start receiving the survivor’s pension the month after the contributor died.
Also referred to as orphan benefits, the CPP children’s benefit is a monthly payment made to the dependent children of a deceased or disabled CPP contributor.
For a child to be eligible, they must be the natural or adopted child of the deceased or be in their custody or control at the time of death.
Also, the child must be 18 years or younger or up to age 25 if they are attending school full-time.
The average children’s benefit paid out in 2024 is $281.72 ($294.12 maximum in 2024).
For children under 18, you must complete Form ISP1300.
For children aged 18 to 25, Form ISP1400 and ISP1401 must be completed. Children in this age group must complete the declaration form (ISP 1401) every school year to show they are still enrolled in full-time education.
CPP benefits are generally considered to be taxable income.
CPP Death Benefit: If paid to the deceased’s estate, the benefit should be reported on the estate’s taxable income on line 11 of the trust’s T3 Return in the year it is received. The estate will pay tax on this amount as applicable.
If paid to a beneficiary (or someone else), they must report on line 13000 of their income tax and benefit return.
Taxes may not be due on the death benefit if the recipient is not a beneficiary of the estate and all the following apply:
The Death Benefit is not reported as part of the final return of the deceased.
Survivor’s Pension and Children’s Benefits: The benefits are taxable in the hands of the survivor or child. If you reside in Canada, tax is not automatically withheld; however, you can voluntarily request that taxes are deducted through your My Service Canada Account or by completing Form ISP3520CPP.
If you reside abroad, a non-resident tax rate of 25% is withheld. If you live in a country with a tax treaty with Canada (e.g. the U.S.), you may be subject to a lower tax rate or exempted altogether.
Enoch Omololu, personal finance expert, author, and founder of Savvy New Canadians, has written about money matters for over 10 years. Enoch has an MSc (Econ) degree in Finance and Investment Management from the University of Aberdeen Business School and has completed the Canadian Securities Course. His expertise has been highlighted in major publications like Forbes, Globe and Mail, Business Insider, CBC News, Toronto Star, Financial Post, CTV News, TD Direct Investing, Canadian Securities Exchange, and many others. Enoch is passionate about helping others win with their finances and recently created a practical investing course for beginners. You can read his full author bio.