Canada Pension Plan: frequently asked questions

You can start CPP at any age from 60 to 70. Starting before 65 reduces the pension by 0.6% for each month early, or 36% at 60; starting after 65 increases it by 0.7% for each month late, or 42% at 70. There is no increase for waiting past 70. The CPP start-age tool compares the options side by side.

The maximum monthly retirement pension for someone starting at 65 in January 2026 is $1,507.65. Few people receive the maximum, because it requires high contributions over most of a working life; the average for new beneficiaries was $858.34 a month in July 2026. Your own estimate is in your My Service Canada Account.

No. CPP retirement payments start only after you apply to Service Canada, and you choose the start date within the 60 to 70 window. You can apply ahead of your chosen start date; Service Canada explains how far in advance. The retirement timeline lists the key dates.

CPP is based on how much you earned and contributed, and for how many years, between 18 and the start of your pension. Earnings count only up to the yearly maximum pensionable earnings, which is $74,600 in 2026. Some periods of low or no earnings can be left out of the calculation under specific rules, so confirm your record with Service Canada. How CPP is calculated explains the pieces.

The enhancement is a gradual increase in CPP contributions and future benefits. In 2026 employees contribute 5.95% on earnings between the $3,500 basic exemption and the YMPE of $74,600 (4.95% base plus a 1% first additional rate), and a second additional contribution, CPP2, of 4% on earnings between $74,600 and the YAMPE of $85,000. See CPP enhancement explained.

As an illustration, with a pension of $1,000 a month at 65, amounts in today's dollars and no discounting, the calculator finds that starting at 65 rather than 60 catches up in total payments at about age 74, and starting at 70 rather than 65 catches up at about age 82. Your own break-even depends on your amount, health, other income and how you value money received sooner. CPP at 60, 65 or 70 walks through the trade-off.

Yes. If you are under 70 and keep working while receiving CPP, your new contributions can earn a post-retirement benefit, with a 2026 maximum of $54.69 a month. Whether contributions are required or optional depends on your age, so check the current rules with Service Canada.

A surviving spouse or common-law partner may receive a survivor's pension, with a 2026 maximum of $803.54 a month if under 65 and $904.59 if 65 or older. A one-time death benefit of up to $2,500 may also be paid to the estate. CPP survivor benefits covers how these combine with your own pension.

Yes. Spouses or common-law partners who both receive CPP can apply to Service Canada to share their pensions, which divides the portion earned during the relationship. This is a different mechanism from pension income splitting on the tax return. See CPP sharing between spouses.

Yes. CPP is taxable income and also counts toward net income for the OAS recovery tax, which applies above $95,323 in 2026. The retirement tax calculator estimates federal and provincial tax at your income.

Work in Quebec is covered by the Québec Pension Plan, administered by Retraite Québec, instead of CPP. The two plans are similar but not identical, and people who worked both inside and outside Quebec may have credits in both. See retiring in Quebec.

Self-employed people pay both the employee and employer portions of CPP contributions on their net self-employment earnings. That makes contributions a bigger cost, but the pension is calculated the same way. Our self-employed retirement page covers the trade-offs.

CPP payments are adjusted each year for changes in the cost of living, so the planner treats CPP as indexed and shows amounts in today's dollars. Confirm the adjustment details with Service Canada.