CANADA PENSION CHILDREN’S BENEFIT
A child who has lost at least one parent who was a CPP contributor may qualify for the CPP Children’s Benefit.
A child is defined as being under the age of 18 or being between the ages or 18 and 25 and in full-time attendance at school or university. The monthly children’s benefit is a flat rate that is adjusted annually. A child may get up to 2 benefits if both parents paid into the CPP for the minimum number of years (3) and each parent is either disabled or deceased.
The Application for this Benefit is the same as the Application for Survivor’s Benefit and can be found at: https://www.canada.ca/en/services/benefits/publicpensions/cpp/cpp-childrens-benefit.html
CANADA PENSION PLAN DEATH BENEFIT
The Canada Pension Plan Death Benefit is calculated using the amount that the Deceased contributor’s Canada Pension Plan Retirement Pension is, or would have been if he or she had been 65 when death occurred. The Death Benefit is equal to six months’ worth of this calculated Retirement Pension, up to a maximum of $2,500.00.
An Application for the CPP Death Benefit should be submitted. The Application can be downloaded from: https://www.canada.ca/en/services/benefits/publicpensions/cpp/cpp-death-benefit.html
The Application requires that original documentation in relation to the Deceased be provided. If you are uncomfortable in sending that documentation by mail, you can arrange to have it personally delivered to a local Services Canada Office in which case they will make certified copies for you.
CANADA PENSION PLAN SURVIVOR’S PENSION
The CPP Survivor’s Pension is paid to the person who, at the time of death, is the legal spouse or common-law partner of the Deceased contributor). If you are a separated legal spouse and there is no cohabitating common-law partner, you may qualify for this benefit. Also, if your Deceased same-sex common-law partner contributed to the Canada Pension Plan, you could be eligible for survivor benefits.
You should apply as soon as possible after the Deceased’s death. Any delay may result in a loss of benefits. CPP will only make back payments for up to 12 months. An Application can be found at: https://www.canada.ca/en/services/benefits/publicpensions/cpp/cpp-survivor-pension.html
or at any Human Resources Canada Centre and many funeral homes.
CPP calculates how much the Deceased’s CPP Retirement Pension is, or would have been, if they had been 65 at the time of their death. Then a further calculation is done based on the survivor’s age at the time of the Deceased’s death:
- If you are 65 or older, and you qualify for the CPP Survivor’s Pension, you will get 60% of the Deceased contributor’s requirement pension, if you are not receiving other CPP benefits.
- If you are between the age of 45 and 64 or under the age of 45 and disabled or raising a dependent child, you will get a flat rate portion as well as 37.5% of the Deceased contributor’s retirement pension, if you are not receiving other CPP benefits.
- If you are under the age of 45 and not disabled or raising a dependent child, you will get a flat rate portion as well as 37.5% of the Deceased contributor’s retirement pension less 1/120 for each month you are under the age of 45 at the time of the Deceased’s death.
- If you are under the age of 35 and not disabled or raising a dependent child, you will not get paid until you reach the age of 65 or become disabled.
CONTACT US
Feel free to contact us at any point for assistance or advice with respect to Estate Law, Estate Planning, Estate Administration or Estate Litigation. We may be reached at 705-435-4339 / 1-877-85LEGAL (1-877-855-3425) or contact us via email.
