Canada CPP survivor's pension: 2026 maximums by age

The Canada CPP survivor's pension is a monthly payment for the spouse or common-law partner of a deceased CPP contributor, with separate amounts for those under 65 and 65 or older.

Survivor under 65, January 2026 maximum

$803.54 per month (flat-rate portion $238.17 plus earnings-related portion $565.37).ESDC, CPP maximum amounts January 2026

Survivor 65 and older, January 2026 maximum

$904.59 per month (earnings-related portion).ESDC, CPP maximum amounts January 2026

Survivor age 65 or older

Survivor receives 60% of the contributor's retirement pension, if not receiving other CPP benefits.ESDC, CPP survivor's pension

Survivor under 65

Survivor receives a flat rate plus 37.5% of the contributor's retirement pension, if not receiving other CPP benefits.ESDC, CPP survivor's pension

Maximum amounts for January 2026

ESDC's CPP maximum amounts table lists a survivor's pension under age 65 at $803.54 per month for January 2026, consisting of a flat-rate portion of $238.17 and an earnings-related portion of $565.37. For a survivor aged 65 or older, the maximum is $904.59 per month. ESDC, CPP maximum amounts January 2026 (opens in a new tab).

How the amount is determined

The survivor's pension amount depends on the age of the survivor at the contributor's death and the contributor's CPP contribution history. ESDC states that the CPP first calculates what the contributor's retirement pension is or would have been at age 65, then applies a further calculation based on the survivor's age at the time of death. ESDC, CPP survivor's pension (opens in a new tab).

For a survivor aged 65 or older, the pension is 60% of the contributor's retirement pension, if the survivor is not receiving another CPP benefit. For a survivor under 65, it is a flat rate plus 37.5% of the contributor's retirement pension, if the survivor is not receiving another CPP benefit. ESDC, CPP survivor's pension (opens in a new tab).

Combining with other CPP benefits

A survivor cannot receive a full survivor's pension while also receiving a full CPP retirement or disability pension. The combined benefit is adjusted based on the survivor's age and other benefits received. When benefits are combined, the CPP enhancement component is added to the base component and is not subject to those maximums. ESDC, CPP survivor's pension (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 survivor's payment, assess contribution history or cover the death benefit and children's benefits that may also be available. The government does not endorse this website.

Related guides