OAS Guides

Eligibility checks

Do I qualify for a Canada Pension Plan (CPP) retirement pension?

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The Canada Pension Plan (CPP) retirement pension is a monthly pension you earn by paying into CPP while you work. It does not start on its own: you must apply. This check tells you whether you are likely to qualify and when you can start.

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How old are you?

Do you already get a CPP retirement pension?

Where do you live now?

Have you ever had CPP contributions taken off your pay, or paid CPP as a self-employed person?

CPP contributions show on your T4 slips and pay stubs as "CPP". Work only in Quebec counts for the Quebec Pension Plan (QPP), not CPP.

After a divorce or separation, were your former spouse's or partner's CPP credits split with you?

This is called credit splitting. It gives you CPP credits for the years you lived together, even if you did not work.

Likely not eligible

Not yet. CPP can start at 60.

Why

The earliest you can start a CPP retirement pension is 60. You can apply up to 12 months before the date you want it to start.

What to do next

  1. Sign in to My Service Canada Account and look at your CPP Statement of Contributions to see an estimate.
  2. Come back to this check when you are 59.

More help

This check is general information, not legal or financial advice. OAS Guides is not part of, or connected to, the Government of Canada or Service Canada. Only the government office that runs the program can decide whether you qualify, and we cannot promise any result. Figures were last checked on 2026-10-04.

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Likely eligible

You already get CPP. Check these extras.

Why

Your pension has started, so eligibility is settled. There are other CPP payments people often miss.

What to do next

  1. If you work and are under 70, you may earn a post-retirement benefit that is added to your pension each year.
  2. If you live with a spouse or common-law partner, sharing your CPP pensions may lower your taxes.
  3. If your spouse or partner has died, apply for the CPP survivor's pension and death benefit.

More help

This check is general information, not legal or financial advice. OAS Guides is not part of, or connected to, the Government of Canada or Service Canada. Only the government office that runs the program can decide whether you qualify, and we cannot promise any result. Figures were last checked on 2026-10-04.

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We cannot tell from your answers

You likely apply to Retraite Québec, not CPP.

Why

If you live in Quebec, your pension is paid by the Quebec Pension Plan (QPP), run by Retraite Québec. Your CPP contributions from work in other provinces are taken into account.

What to do next

  1. Read our Quebec Pension Plan guide and apply to Retraite Québec.
  2. Tell Retraite Québec about any years you worked outside Quebec.

More help

This check is general information, not legal or financial advice. OAS Guides is not part of, or connected to, the Government of Canada or Service Canada. Only the government office that runs the program can decide whether you qualify, and we cannot promise any result. Figures were last checked on 2026-10-04.

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Likely not eligible

You likely get a QPP pension instead of CPP.

Why

If you worked only in Quebec, you paid into the Quebec Pension Plan (QPP), not the CPP. You apply to Retraite Québec.

What to do next

  1. Read our Quebec Pension Plan guide.
  2. If you also worked in another province, even for a short time, run this check again and answer Yes.

More help

This check is general information, not legal or financial advice. OAS Guides is not part of, or connected to, the Government of Canada or Service Canada. Only the government office that runs the program can decide whether you qualify, and we cannot promise any result. Figures were last checked on 2026-10-04.

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We cannot tell from your answers

Your contribution record decides this.

Why

You need at least one valid CPP contribution. Almost everyone who worked for pay in Canada outside Quebec since 1966 paid into CPP.

What to do next

  1. Sign in to My Service Canada Account and look at your CPP Statement of Contributions.
  2. Or call Service Canada at 1-800-277-9914 and ask for a copy of your Statement of Contributions.

More help

This check is general information, not legal or financial advice. OAS Guides is not part of, or connected to, the Government of Canada or Service Canada. Only the government office that runs the program can decide whether you qualify, and we cannot promise any result. Figures were last checked on 2026-10-04.

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Likely not eligible

You likely do not qualify for a CPP retirement pension.

Why

A CPP retirement pension needs at least one valid contribution, from your own work or from credits split with a former spouse or partner.

What to do next

  1. Check Old Age Security (OAS). It does not depend on work.
  2. If your spouse or partner paid into CPP and has died, you may qualify for a CPP survivor's pension.

More help

This check is general information, not legal or financial advice. OAS Guides is not part of, or connected to, the Government of Canada or Service Canada. Only the government office that runs the program can decide whether you qualify, and we cannot promise any result. Figures were last checked on 2026-10-04.

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We cannot tell from your answers

You may be able to get CPP through credit splitting.

Why

After a divorce or separation, the CPP credits you and your former spouse or partner earned while living together can be divided equally, even if you did not work. It is not automatic: one of you must apply.

What to do next

  1. Apply for credit splitting with form ISP1901. Separated spouses and partners must have lived apart for at least 12 months.
  2. Common-law partners must apply within 48 months of separating, unless the other person agrees to waive that limit.
  3. Call Service Canada at 1-800-277-9914 with questions.

More help

This check is general information, not legal or financial advice. OAS Guides is not part of, or connected to, the Government of Canada or Service Canada. Only the government office that runs the program can decide whether you qualify, and we cannot promise any result. Figures were last checked on 2026-10-04.

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Likely eligible

You are likely eligible for a CPP retirement pension.

Why

You are old enough and have paid into CPP. You can start your pension any time from 60 to 70. In 2026, the maximum at 65 is $1,507.65 a month; the average for new pensions at 65 was $858.34 (July 2026).

What to do next

  1. Apply. CPP does not start on its own. Apply online in My Service Canada Account (about 28 days) or with form ISP-1000 (about 120 days). You can apply up to 12 months before you want it to start.
  2. Starting before 65 lowers your pension by 0.6% for each month. Starting after 65 raises it by 0.7% for each month, up to 70.
  3. If you are over 65 and have not applied, apply now. Back pay is limited to 11 months.
  4. If you are 70 or older, there is nothing to gain from waiting. Apply now.
  5. If you stayed home to raise young children, ask that the child rearing provision be applied. It may raise your pension.

More help

This check is general information, not legal or financial advice. OAS Guides is not part of, or connected to, the Government of Canada or Service Canada. Only the government office that runs the program can decide whether you qualify, and we cannot promise any result. Figures were last checked on 2026-10-04.

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Where these rules come from

  1. CPP retirement pension: Eligibility (Government of Canada)
  2. CPP retirement pension: How much you could receive (Government of Canada)
  3. CPP retirement pension: When to start (Government of Canada)
  4. CPP retirement pension: Apply (Government of Canada)
  5. CPP credit split (Government of Canada)

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