When a CPP contributor dies, their surviving spouse or common-law partner may be entitled to a monthly CPP Survivor's Pension. Understanding how this benefit works — and how much your spouse will actually receive — is an important part of retirement income planning for couples.
To receive the CPP Survivor's Pension, the surviving spouse must:
There is no age requirement for the survivor. A widow or widower of any age can receive the benefit, though the amount varies significantly by age.
The survivor's pension amount depends on the surviving spouse's age:
| Surviving Spouse Age | Survivor Pension Amount |
|---|---|
| 65 or older | 60% of the deceased's calculated CPP retirement pension |
| Under 65 (no disability) | Flat rate (~$283/mo) + 37.5% of deceased's retirement pension |
| Under 65 (with disability) | Flat rate (~$583/mo) + 37.5% of deceased's retirement pension |
If the surviving spouse also receives their own CPP retirement or disability pension, the combined amount is capped at the maximum CPP retirement pension (~$1,433/month in 2025). You cannot receive more than the maximum by combining your own CPP with a survivor's pension.
In practice, this cap affects many survivors who have their own full or near-full CPP. If you already receive maximum CPP, you'll receive little or no additional survivor benefit.
In addition to the ongoing survivor's pension, the estate of a CPP contributor may receive the CPP Death Benefit — a one-time lump sum of up to $2,500. The death benefit is paid to the estate or the person who paid for the funeral expenses. It is taxable income in the year received.
Dependent children (under 18, or under 25 if in full-time school) of a deceased CPP contributor are eligible for a flat monthly benefit of approximately $294/month per child. This is paid directly to the child (or custodial parent) and is separate from the survivor's pension.
One compelling reason to defer CPP to age 70 is the enhanced survivor benefit. Because the survivor's pension is 60% of the deceased's calculated CPP pension, a higher CPP at 70 means a larger survivor benefit for your spouse:
Couples where one partner is in significantly better health may benefit from that partner deferring to 70, especially if the survivor would have low income of their own.
Quebec residents contribute to the QPP (Quebec Pension Plan) rather than CPP. QPP has similar survivor benefit provisions, but the amounts and eligibility criteria differ slightly. Contact Retraite Québec for QPP survivor benefit details.
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Get KOHO Free — Use Code 45ET55JSYAYes. The CPP Survivor's Pension is a lifetime monthly benefit. It does not expire and is indexed to inflation annually.
Common-law partners qualify for the survivor benefit if you lived together in a conjugal relationship for at least 12 continuous months, or less time if you have a child together. You'll need to provide documentation of your relationship to Service Canada.
Yes. OAS is a separate program — receiving a CPP survivor pension does not affect your OAS eligibility or amount.
The survivor benefit is still available. Service Canada calculates what the deceased's CPP retirement pension would have been at 65 and bases the 60% survivor amount on that figure.