How to Apply for the Canada Pension Plan Retirement Pension in 2026
Learn who qualifies for the Canada Pension Plan retirement pension, when to apply, how starting CPP between ages 60 and 70 changes your payment, what information you need, and how to apply online or by mail in 2026.
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To receive a Canada Pension Plan retirement pension, you generally need to apply. You qualify if you are at least 60 years old and have made at least one valid CPP contribution. You can start CPP as early as age 60, at the standard age of 65, or delay it until age 70. Applications can be submitted up to 12 months before your chosen start date. Most eligible applicants in Canada can apply online through My Service Canada Account, while applicants who live outside Canada and certain other applicants must use a paper application.
What you need
- Your Social Insurance Number.
- Your chosen CPP retirement pension start date.
- Direct deposit information if you want payments deposited into a bank account, including the financial institution name, branch or transit number and account number.
- If you lived or worked outside Canada, the country name, foreign insurance number and relevant start and end dates.
- If you are requesting the Child Rearing Provision, information about the child, including the child's full name, Social Insurance Number and date of birth, plus documentation showing the child's date of entry into Canada if the child was born outside Canada, where required.
- Additional forms or information if another person is authorized to communicate with Service Canada or must administer benefits on your behalf.
Eligibility
You can qualify for the Canada Pension Plan retirement pension if you are at least 60 years old and have made at least one valid contribution to the CPP. A valid contribution can come from work in Canada or from CPP credits received from a spouse or common-law partner after a divorce or separation. You do not have to stop working to receive CPP. If you work while receiving your pension, your retirement pension is not reduced and you may also qualify for the CPP Post-Retirement Benefit if the applicable contribution conditions are met.
How to do it
- Confirm that you qualify. You must be at least 60 years old and have made at least one valid CPP contribution.
- Choose when you want your pension to start. The standard start age is 65, but you can start as early as 60 or delay until as late as 70.
- Understand the effect of your start age. Starting before 65 permanently reduces the monthly amount, while starting after 65 permanently increases it.
- Apply in advance. Service Canada allows you to apply up to 12 months before your chosen pension start date.
- Gather your information. Prepare your Social Insurance Number, banking information for direct deposit, and details about foreign residence or employment if applicable. Prepare Child Rearing Provision information and supporting documents if you are requesting that provision.
- Check whether you can apply online. Most eligible applicants living in Canada can apply through My Service Canada Account. You must use a paper application in situations identified by Service Canada, including if you live outside Canada or have a third party managing your CPP account.
- Apply online if eligible. Register for or sign in to My Service Canada Account and select the link to apply for the Canada Pension Plan retirement pension in the CPP section.
- Apply by paper if required or preferred. Complete the Application for a Canada Pension Plan Retirement Pension, form ISP-1000, and submit it according to Service Canada instructions. If you apply from outside Canada, send the paper application to the Service Canada office for the province or territory where you last lived in Canada.
- Wait for the decision. Service Canada says online applicants should expect a decision by mail within 28 days of receipt of the application, while paper applicants should expect a decision within 120 days.
- Check your status if needed. You can check CPP application status through My Service Canada Account using the View my status updates option or contact Service Canada.
- Review the decision. If you disagree with Service Canada's decision, you can request reconsideration within 90 days after receiving the decision letter.
Who can apply for the Canada Pension Plan retirement pension?
You are eligible for a CPP retirement pension if you are at least 60 years old and have made at least one valid CPP contribution. Valid contributions can come from employment or self-employment covered by the CPP, or from credits received from a spouse or common-law partner after a divorce or separation.
You do not need to retire or stop working before receiving CPP. Your CPP retirement pension is not reduced because you continue working. Depending on your age and CPP contributions after starting your pension, you may also earn a CPP Post-Retirement Benefit.
Do you have to apply for CPP?
In general, you must apply to receive the CPP retirement pension. It does not automatically begin when you turn 60 or 65.
One important exception applies to people receiving a CPP disability benefit. Service Canada states that when a CPP disability beneficiary turns 65, the disability benefit automatically changes to a CPP retirement pension.
When should you apply for CPP?
You can apply for your CPP retirement pension up to 12 months before the date you want payments to begin. Applying in advance can help ensure that the pension begins on your chosen date.
The standard age to start CPP is 65. However, you may choose a start date between age 60 and age 70. There is no financial advantage under the CPP age adjustment rules to waiting beyond age 70.
What happens if you start CPP before age 65?
If you start receiving your CPP retirement pension before age 65, the pension is reduced by 0.6 percent for each month before your 65th birthday. This equals 7.2 percent per year and a maximum reduction of 36 percent if you begin at age 60.
The reduction affects your monthly CPP retirement pension for the rest of your life, so the choice of start date should take account of your financial situation and retirement plans.
What happens if you start CPP after age 65?
If you delay CPP after age 65, the pension increases by 0.7 percent for each month of delay. This equals 8.4 percent per year and a maximum increase of 42 percent if you start at age 70.
There is no additional increase for waiting beyond age 70.
Can CPP be paid retroactively?
If you apply after age 65, you can request a retroactive start date. Service Canada states that the start date may be as early as 11 months before the month it receives your application, but it cannot be earlier than the month after your 65th birthday.
If you apply during the month of your 65th birthday or earlier, there is no retroactivity. CPP retirement pensions started before age 65 are not paid retroactively.
What information do you need to apply for CPP?
Service Canada asks applicants to have their Social Insurance Number available. If you want direct deposit, prepare the name of your financial institution, branch or transit number and account number.
If you have lived or worked outside Canada, prepare the name of the country, your insurance number for that country and the relevant start and end dates.
If you are requesting the Child Rearing Provision, additional information is required about your child. This can include the child's full name, Social Insurance Number, date of birth and, if the child was born outside Canada, documentation showing the child's date of entry into Canada. Service Canada lists documents such as Canadian immigration records, a complete passport, customs declarations and certain travel documents as possible evidence.
How to apply for CPP online
Most eligible applicants living in Canada can apply online through My Service Canada Account. After registering or signing in, go to the Canada Pension Plan section and select the option to apply for the Canada Pension Plan retirement pension.
Service Canada says to expect a decision by mail within 28 days after it receives an online application.
When can you not apply for CPP online?
Service Canada requires a paper application in several situations. These include when you live outside Canada, when a third party such as a power of attorney or trustee manages your CPP account, when your CPP disability benefit ended before age 65, when you were previously denied CPP disability benefits, and certain situations involving CPP children's benefits or a survivor's pension paid under an international social security agreement.
How to apply for CPP by mail
If you cannot apply online, complete the Application for a Canada Pension Plan Retirement Pension, form ISP-1000. Follow the instructions provided with the current Service Canada form and submit it by mail.
Service Canada says to expect a decision by mail within 120 days after it receives a paper application.
How to apply for CPP if you live outside Canada
If you are applying from outside Canada, you must use a paper application rather than the standard online process. Service Canada instructs applicants living abroad to send the application to the Service Canada office in the province or territory where they last lived in Canada.
If you have lived or worked in another country, provide the country's name, your foreign insurance number and the relevant dates when requested. International social security agreements may also be relevant to some pension situations.
How much CPP can you receive in 2026?
Your CPP retirement pension depends on the age when you start receiving it, how much and how long you contributed to the CPP, and your average earnings during your working life.
For a CPP retirement pension beginning at age 65, the maximum monthly pension for January 2026 is $1,507.65. Service Canada reports an average monthly CPP retirement pension of $877.01 for new beneficiaries at age 65 for the July to September 2026 period. These figures do not mean every applicant will receive these amounts. Your personal contribution history and start age determine your actual pension.
Can you work while receiving CPP?
Yes. Your CPP retirement pension is not reduced simply because you continue working. If you are under age 70, work while receiving CPP and continue making CPP contributions, you may qualify for the CPP Post-Retirement Benefit. CPP contributions stop once you reach age 70.
How long does a CPP retirement pension application take?
For an online application, Service Canada says to expect a decision by mail within 28 days from the date it receives the application. For a paper application, Service Canada says to expect a decision within 120 days from receipt.
You can check your application status by signing in to My Service Canada Account and selecting View my status updates, or by contacting Service Canada.
What happens after your CPP application?
After submitting your application, you can monitor its status through My Service Canada Account. If you discover incorrect information or need to update your direct deposit details, mailing address or telephone number, Service Canada provides options through its eServiceCanada form or by telephone.
If your application is approved and payments begin, the CPP retirement pension is a monthly taxable benefit paid for the rest of your life. Direct deposit can be used for monthly payments. If direct deposit is not selected, Service Canada mails a cheque during the last 3 business days of each month.
Is CPP taxable?
Yes. The CPP retirement pension is taxable income. Service Canada states that income tax is not automatically deducted from CPP payments. You can request monthly federal tax deductions. If you do not request deductions, you may have income tax to pay when you file your tax return.
Can you cancel CPP after it starts?
You can cancel your CPP retirement pension within 12 months after you start receiving it. The cancellation request must be made in writing and you must repay all CPP retirement pension income already received.
What if you disagree with the CPP decision?
If you disagree with a decision about your CPP retirement pension application, you can ask Service Canada to reconsider it. The reconsideration request must be made within 90 days after you receive your decision letter.
A Service Canada employee who was not responsible for the original decision will review the case. A reconsideration request can be submitted through My Service Canada Account, by using the applicable CPP reconsideration form, or by sending a written request containing the information required by Service Canada.
Frequently asked questions
Who is eligible for the Canada Pension Plan retirement pension?
You must be at least 60 years old and have made at least one valid CPP contribution. A valid contribution may come from work covered by CPP or from credits received from a spouse or common-law partner after divorce or separation.
Do I have to apply for CPP when I turn 65?
Yes, in most cases you must apply to receive the CPP retirement pension. CPP does not normally start automatically at age 65. One exception is a CPP disability benefit, which automatically changes to a CPP retirement pension at age 65.
How early can I apply for CPP?
You can submit your application up to 12 months before the date you want your CPP retirement pension to start.
What is the earliest age to receive CPP?
The earliest age to start the CPP retirement pension is 60. Starting before age 65 permanently reduces your monthly pension.
How much is CPP reduced if I start at age 60?
CPP is reduced by 0.6 percent for every month you start before age 65. Starting at age 60 produces the maximum age-related reduction of 36 percent.
How much does CPP increase if I wait until age 70?
After age 65, CPP increases by 0.7 percent for every month you delay starting it, up to a maximum increase of 42 percent at age 70.
Can I apply for CPP online?
Yes. Most eligible applicants living in Canada can apply through My Service Canada Account. Service Canada requires a paper application in certain situations, including when you live outside Canada or have a third party managing your CPP account.
What form is used to apply for CPP by mail?
The paper form is the Application for a Canada Pension Plan Retirement Pension, form ISP-1000.
How long does an online CPP application take?
Service Canada says to expect a decision by mail within 28 days after it receives an online CPP retirement pension application.
How long does a paper CPP application take?
Service Canada says to expect a decision by mail within 120 days after it receives a paper CPP retirement pension application.
Can I apply for CPP if I live outside Canada?
Yes, but Service Canada requires you to use a paper application. The application should be sent to the Service Canada office for the province or territory where you last lived in Canada.
Can I get retroactive CPP payments?
If you apply after age 65, you can request a retroactive start date as early as 11 months before the month Service Canada receives your application, but not earlier than the month after your 65th birthday. There are no retroactive retirement pension payments for a pension started before age 65.
Can I work while receiving CPP?
Yes. Working does not reduce your CPP retirement pension. If you are under age 70 and continue making CPP contributions while receiving CPP, you may also qualify for the CPP Post-Retirement Benefit.
Is the CPP retirement pension taxable?
Yes. CPP retirement pension payments are taxable. Income tax is not automatically deducted, but you can ask Service Canada to deduct federal income tax from your monthly payments.
Can I cancel my CPP pension after payments begin?
Yes. You can cancel your CPP retirement pension within 12 months after it starts. You must make the request in writing and repay all CPP retirement pension income you have received.
What can I do if my CPP application is denied or the amount is wrong?
You can request reconsideration of a CPP decision within 90 days after receiving your decision letter. Service Canada will have a different employee review the decision.