Canada CPP death benefit: basic amount and top-up
The Canada CPP death benefit is a one-time payment made to the estate or eligible individuals on behalf of a deceased CPP contributor, with a basic amount of $2,500 and a possible top-up.
On this page
- Basic amount
- $2,500 for deaths on or after January 1, 2025.ESDC, CPP death benefit
- Top-up amount
- $2,500 additional for deaths on or after January 1, 2025, when conditions are met.ESDC, CPP death benefit
- Maximum benefit
- $5,000 for deaths on or after January 1, 2025, when the top-up applies.ESDC, CPP death benefit
- Top-up conditions
- The deceased must never have received a disability benefit, post-retirement disability benefit or retirement pension under the CPP or Quebec Pension Plan, and must not have a surviving spouse or common-law partner eligible for a survivor's pension.ESDC, CPP death benefit
A one-time payment for a deceased contributor
The CPP death benefit is a one-time payment made to the estate or to other eligible individuals, on behalf of a deceased CPP contributor. ESDC states the amount consists of a basic amount of $2,500 plus a possible top-up of $2,500 for deaths occurring on or after January 1, 2025, making the maximum $5,000. ESDC, CPP death benefit (opens in a new tab).
Eligibility conditions
To qualify for the death benefit, the deceased must have made CPP contributions for at least one-third of the calendar years in their contributory period, with a minimum of three years, or for 10 calendar years. The top-up of an additional $2,500 requires that the deceased never received a disability benefit, post-retirement disability benefit or retirement pension under the CPP or Quebec Pension Plan (QPP), and had no surviving spouse or common-law partner eligible for a survivor's pension. ESDC, CPP death benefit (opens in a new tab).
Who receives the payment
The executor of the estate applies first. If no estate exists or the executor has not applied, payment may be made to the person or institution that paid for the funeral expenses, then the surviving spouse or common-law partner, then the next-of-kin. ESDC, CPP death benefit (opens in a new tab).
Scope of this explanation
This is general information about Canada, not personal tax or financial advice. This page does not calculate an individual estate's payment, assess contribution history or cover the Quebec Pension Plan equivalent. The government does not endorse this website.