CPP Survivor's Pension — Monthly Income for the Surviving Spouse of a CPP Contributor
What you will learn: Whether you or a family member qualifies for the CPP Survivor's Pension, how much it is worth, how to apply, and what happens if you are already receiving your own CPP.
The CPP Survivor's Pension is not paid automatically after a spouse's death. The surviving spouse or common-law partner must apply. There is no hard deadline, but applying promptly means payments start sooner. The earliest a payment can start is the month after the contributor's death.
Helen's story. After her husband Robert's death, Helen, 71, from Hamilton, focused on the funeral, the estate paperwork, and looking after her own health. Six months passed. A friend mentioned that Helen might be entitled to a monthly CPP payment as Robert's surviving spouse.
Helen called Service Canada (1-800-277-9914) and applied. Because Robert had contributed to CPP for over 30 years and Helen was 71, the calculation put her Survivor's Pension at approximately $485/month. Combined with her own smaller CPP and OAS, this changed her monthly income meaningfully.
Service Canada backdated the payment to six months after Robert's death — the earliest start date in her case. Helen received several months of retroactive payments in a lump sum.
What Helen tells others: "I was so focused on everything else that I forgot there were financial things to sort out. Do it as soon as you can — but it is not too late even if months have passed."
Who Qualifies
To receive the CPP Survivor's Pension, you must be the surviving spouse or common-law partner of a person who:
- Made CPP contributions for a sufficient number of years (generally at least 3 years or one-third of their contributory period)
- Was a Canadian resident or resident of a country with a Canada social security agreement
You qualify as a survivor if, at the time of the contributor's death:
- You were legally married to the contributor, or
- You were in a common-law relationship for at least one continuous year
If you were legally separated but not divorced, you may still qualify. If you were divorced, you generally do not qualify as a survivor — unless there are dependant children of the relationship, in which case the Children's Benefit (a separate payment) may apply. Contact Service Canada to discuss your specific situation.
How Much Is the Pension?
The amount depends on two things: how much the deceased contributed to CPP, and whether the survivor is under or over age 65.
| Survivor's age | Formula |
|---|---|
| 65 or older | 60% of the deceased's calculated CPP retirement pension |
| Under 65 | Flat-rate component (~$230/month in 2025) + 37.5% of the deceased's calculated CPP retirement pension |
Amounts are approximate and indexed annually. Your exact amount will depend on the contributor's full CPP earnings history. Service Canada will calculate it when you apply. Verify current rates at canada.ca or call 1-800-277-9914.
If you receive your own CPP retirement pension, you can still receive the Survivor's Pension — but the two amounts are combined, not simply added together. The combined pension is capped at the maximum CPP retirement pension for that year. Service Canada will calculate your combined amount when you apply. You will receive more than your own CPP alone, but not the full Survivor's Pension on top of it.
How to Apply
Applying for the CPP Survivor's Pension:
- Your Social Insurance Number (SIN) and the deceased's SIN
- A death certificate or Proof of Death from the funeral home
- Proof of your relationship: marriage certificate, or for common-law, a statutory declaration and supporting documents (shared lease, bank statements)
- Your banking information for direct deposit
- Online: Through My Service Canada Account at canada.ca/my-service-canada-account
- By phone: Call Service Canada at 1-800-277-9914
- Combined form ISP1300: Apply for the Death Benefit and Survivor's Pension at the same time with one form
GIS Warning: Survivor's Pension May Reduce GIS
If you currently receive the Guaranteed Income Supplement (GIS), the additional income from the CPP Survivor's Pension will be counted as income for GIS purposes. This may reduce your GIS amount. The net result is almost always positive — you will receive more total income overall — but your GIS will be partially offset.
This is a known interaction and worth understanding. See our GIS guide for how GIS interacts with other income sources.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much is the CPP Survivor's Pension?
It depends on the deceased's CPP contribution history and your age. At 65 and older, you receive 60% of the deceased's calculated CPP retirement pension. Under 65, the amount is a flat-rate component plus 37.5% of their pension. Exact amounts are calculated by Service Canada when you apply.
If the deceased was receiving a large CPP pension, the Survivor's Pension can be several hundred dollars per month. If contributions were modest, the amount will be less. Call 1-800-277-9914 for an estimate.
Do I need to be legally married to qualify?
No. Common-law partners who lived together continuously for at least one year at the time of death also qualify. You will need to provide documentation of the common-law relationship (shared lease, statutory declaration, joint bank accounts). Contact Service Canada for the exact documentation requirements.
Can I receive the Survivor's Pension if I am already getting my own CPP?
Yes. The two pensions are combined, but the total is capped at the maximum CPP retirement pension for that year. You will receive more than your own CPP alone, but not the full Survivor's Pension added on top of it. Service Canada calculates the combined amount when you apply.
Is the CPP Survivor's Pension taxable?
Yes. The pension is taxable income and is included on your personal income tax return. You will receive a T4A(P) slip each year. If you and your spouse both received CPP, pension income splitting may reduce the combined tax impact. See our pension income splitting guide for details.
If your spouse or common-law partner contributed to CPP during their working years, you are likely entitled to a monthly Survivor's Pension. Apply as soon as you can — it is not too late even if months have passed.
Service Canada: 1-800-277-9914. Online through My Service Canada Account. Combined form ISP1300 applies for both the Death Benefit ($2,500 lump sum) and the Survivor's Pension (monthly) at the same time.
Sources & References
- Service Canada — CPP Survivor's Pension
- Service Canada — CPP Death Benefit
- My Service Canada Account
Note: Survivor's Pension amounts are calculated based on the deceased's earnings history and are adjusted annually. Contact Service Canada for an estimate of your specific entitlement.