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Can I apply for Canada Pension Plan (CPP) earlier than 65 Years Old?

If you are eligible, the Canada Pension Plan (CPP) provides you with an income when you retire or if you are disabled. You may also be eligible for CPP benefits in the case of a spouse or common-law partner’s death.

CPP Retirement Pension

In general, the full CPP Retirement Pension is available after you turn 65 years old.

You can claim your CPP retirement pension as early as 60 years old. If you choose to claim your CPP Retirement Pension early, however, your CPP income will be permanently reduced. This means you would receive less on a monthly basis than if you wait until you are 65 years old.

The amount your CPP Retirement Pension will be reduced by depends on when you claim your early benefits.

The amount of your benefits is permanently reduced by 0.6% for every month you receive CPP before the age of 65. This works out to be 7.2% per year. For example:

• If you claim CPP five years early, your benefit amount would be permanently reduced by 36% (7.2% x 5 years).

• If you claim CPP four years early, your benefit amount would be permanently reduced by 28.8% (7.2% x 4 years).

• If you claim CPP three years early, your benefit amount would be permanently reduced by 21.6% (7.2% x 3 years).

It is important to be aware of these reductions when deciding whether or not to claim your CPP Retirement Pension early.

CPP Disability Pension

If you are between 18 and 64 years old and cannot work because of a disability, CPP also offers a Disability Pension.

In order to qualify for a CPP Disability Pension, your disability must be considered by CPP to be “Severe” (your disability prevents you from working) and “Prolonged” (your disability is long-term or will continue for an unknown amount of time).

CPP Survivor’s Benefit

If you are younger than 65 years old when your spouse or common-law partner dies and you are not receiving other CPP payments, you may be eligible for a CPP Survivor’s Pension.

If you are younger than 65 years old, the CPP Survivor’s Pension includes a one-time payment and a monthly benefit that is equal to 37.5% of what your spouse or common-law partner would have received in retirement.

For More Information

• Canada Pension Plan Overview – Information on the CPP Retirement Pension, including who is eligible and how benefits are calculated. Applications for a CPP Retirement Pension can be made online.
• Canada Pension Plan Disability Benefits Overview – Information on the CPP Disability Pension, including who is eligible and how benefits are calculated. Applications for a CPP Disability Pension must be made by mail.
• Survivor’s Pension – Information on the CPP Survivor’s Pension, including who is eligible and how benefits are calculated. Applications for a CPP Survivor’s Pension must be made by mail.