Do I qualify for a CPP survivor's pension?
Last checked:
When someone who paid into the Canada Pension Plan (CPP) dies, their spouse or common-law partner may get a monthly survivor's pension. It does not start on its own, and back payments are limited, so apply soon after the death. This check takes a few minutes.
Your answers stay on your own device. We do not save or send them.
Choose an answer to go to the next question. Your browser's Back button takes you to the previous question.
What was your relationship to the person who died?
A spouse is a person you were legally married to. A common-law partner is a person you lived with in a marriage-like relationship.
Did the person who died pay into the CPP?
CPP contributions are taken from pay for work in Canada outside Quebec. Work only in Quebec counts for the Quebec Pension Plan (QPP), not CPP.
How old are you?
We cannot tell from your answers
Ask Service Canada about your situation.
Why
The survivor's pension is for the legal spouse or common-law partner of the person who died. Our guide does not cover how a separation or divorce affects this, so Service Canada needs to decide.
What to do next
- Call Service Canada at 1-800-277-9914 and explain when you separated or divorced.
- Have the date of death, your marriage or separation papers and both Social Insurance Numbers ready.
- If you divorced or separated while the person was alive, you may also have been able to split CPP credits. Ask about it on the same call.
Your answers
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.
Likely not eligible
The survivor's pension is only for a spouse or partner.
Why
The CPP survivor's pension is paid to the legal spouse or common-law partner of the person who died.
What to do next
- If you are the executor, or there is no executor and you paid for the funeral or are next of kin, check the CPP death benefit.
- Call Service Canada at 1-800-277-9914 to ask about other CPP benefits after a death.
Your answers
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.
We cannot tell from your answers
Ask Retraite Québec about a QPP surviving spouse's pension.
Why
Work in Quebec counts for the Quebec Pension Plan (QPP), not CPP. The QPP has its own surviving spouse's pension and death benefit, run by Retraite Québec.
What to do next
- Read our Quebec Pension Plan guide.
- Call Retraite Québec. The number is in our Quebec Pension Plan guide.
- If the person also worked in another province, even for a short time, run this check again and answer Yes.
Your answers
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.
Likely not eligible
You likely cannot get a CPP survivor's pension.
Why
The CPP survivor's pension is paid when the person who died paid into the CPP.
What to do next
- If you are 60 to 64 with low income, check the Allowance for the Survivor. It does not depend on work.
- If you are 65 or older, check OAS and the GIS.
Your answers
More help
- Do I qualify for the Allowance for the Survivor?
- Do I qualify for the Guaranteed Income Supplement (GIS)?
- Read our full guide: Canada Pension Plan (CPP)
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.
We cannot tell from your answers
Their contribution record decides this.
Why
The survivor's pension depends on the person who died having paid into the CPP. Almost everyone who worked for pay in Canada outside Quebec paid into it.
What to do next
- Call Service Canada at 1-800-277-9914. Have their Social Insurance Number and date of death ready.
- Apply anyway if you think they worked outside Quebec. Service Canada checks the record. Back payments are limited to 12 months, so do not wait.
Your answers
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.
Likely eligible
You are likely eligible for a CPP survivor's pension.
Why
You were the spouse or common-law partner of someone who paid into the CPP. In 2026, the survivor's pension is up to $803.54 a month for survivors under 65. Most people get less.
What to do next
- Apply soon. Back payments are limited to 12 months. Apply online in My Service Canada Account or with form ISP1300.
- Ask about the CPP death benefit too. It is a separate one-time payment.
- If you are 60 to 64 with low income, check the Allowance for the Survivor.
- If you live outside Canada, call 1-613-957-1954 (collect calls accepted).
Your answers
More help
- Can I get the CPP death benefit?
- Do I qualify for the Allowance for the Survivor?
- Read our full guide: Canada Pension Plan (CPP)
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.
Likely eligible
You are likely eligible for a CPP survivor's pension.
Why
You were the spouse or common-law partner of someone who paid into the CPP. In 2026, the survivor's pension is up to $904.59 a month for survivors 65 and older. If you also get your own CPP retirement pension, the combined maximum at 65 is $1,531.56 a month in 2026. Most people get less.
What to do next
- Apply soon. Back payments are limited to 12 months. Apply online in My Service Canada Account or with form ISP1300.
- Ask about the CPP death benefit too. It is a separate one-time payment.
- If your income is now lower, check the Guaranteed Income Supplement (GIS).
- If you live outside Canada, call 1-613-957-1954 (collect calls accepted).
Your answers
More help
- Can I get the CPP death benefit?
- Do I qualify for the Guaranteed Income Supplement (GIS)?
- Read our full guide: Canada Pension Plan (CPP)
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.
Where these rules come from
- CPP survivor's pension (Government of Canada)
- Canada Pension Plan: Pensions and benefits monthly amounts (Government of Canada)
- CPP death benefit (Government of Canada)
- Contact Canada Pension Plan (Government of Canada)