Frequently Asked Questions for the Canada Pension Plan (CPP) Retirement Application

  1. What CPP related services are available online?
  2. What is the CPP Retirement Application?
  3. Can I complete my CPP Retirement Application online?
  4. Do I have to print my application?
  5. What if I do not have a printer?
  6. Is the CPP Retirement Application easy to use?
  7. Is it secure for me to apply online for my CPP Retirement pension?
  8. How will I know if my online application has been received?
  9. Can I go back to previous steps that I have completed?
  10. How do I submit my Signature Page or any other applicable documents when I apply online?
  11. Why is this a two-part application process?
  12. What can I do if I am experiencing technical problems while using the CPP Retirement Application?
  13. Can I apply for my Old Age Security pension online?

A.1. The following services are available online:

My Service Canada Account
My Service Canada Account provides a single point of access to view and update your information with Employment Insurance (EI), Canada Pension Plan (CPP) and Old Age Security (OAS). If you have made contributions to CPP, or currently receive payments from either CPP or OAS, you can use My Service Canada Account to:

Note: To use this service, you must have a Personal Access Code (PAC). If you do not have a PAC, you can apply for one online. It may take 5 to 10 business days to receive your PAC by mail.

Once you have your PAC, you can register for My Service Canada Account. You will need to create a User ID and Password during the registration process. Go to My Service Canada Account to learn more.

If you wish, you may also use the Canadian Retirement Income Calculator. It will give you information on Canada's public pensions and help you estimate how much income you may need for your retirement, according to your personal financial situation.

Return to Canada Pension Plan Retirement Application

2. What is the CPP Retirement Application?

A.2. The CPP Retirement Application is an online service available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week that allows you to apply for your CPP Retirement pension online.

Return to Canada Pension Plan Retirement Application

3. Can I complete my CPP Retirement Application online?

A.3. To use this online service, you must:

  • be at least one day passed the month following your 59th birthday;
  • have contributed to the CPP;
  • want your retirement pension payments to begin within 11 months from today;
  • have access to a printer; and,
  • use a computer that meets our minimum computer requirements.

Note: This service is not available for individuals presently receiving a CPP (or Quebec Pension Plan) disability benefit. Also, if you fit into any of the following situations you will not be able to use this service and must apply to the Régie des rentes du Québec :

  • You have worked only in the province of Quebec;
  • You currently live in Quebec and have worked both in the province of Quebec and in another province or territory; or
  • You have worked in Quebec, currently live outside of Canada and your last province of residence was Quebec.

Return to Canada Pension Plan Retirement Application

4. Do I have to print my application?

A.4. You only need to print the 'Signature Page' (that appears in Step 7 of 8 of the application), sign it and mail it with any other required documents (if applicable) to Service Canada. You may also want to print a copy of Step 6 "Confirm & Submit" for your own records.

Return to Canada Pension Plan Retirement Application

What if I do not have a printer?

A.5. You cannot apply for your CPP Retirement Pension online if you do not have access to a printer. You can request that a paper copy of the application be mailed to you by contacting us.

Return to Canada Pension Plan Retirement Application

5. Is the CPP Retirement Application easy to use?

A.6. Yes, just follow the step-by-step instructions. Our online "Help" feature offers you additional information.

Return to Canada Pension Plan Retirement Application

6. Is it secure for me to apply online for my CPP Retirement pension?

A.7. Yes. There are two main ways that we ensure the security of your transactions:

  • The first level of security begins with our firewalls. Firewalls are a combination of hardware and software designed to securely separate the outside world from our internal computer systems.
  • The second level of security is encryption. Encryption electronically scrambles the exchange of information between your computer and our computer. This minimizes the risk that outside parties will view or alter information being transmitted.

We also protect your information by not sharing it with third parties.

Return to Canada Pension Plan Retirement Application

7. How will I know if my online application has been received?

A.8. When you confirm and submit your information in "Step 6 of 8 - Confirm & Submit" of the application process, a new page will appear titled "Step 7 of 8 - Signature Page". On this page, you will be told that your electronic application has been received. Near the bottom of this page, above the place where you sign, you will see a confirmation number as well as the date and time that you submitted the online part of your application.

Return to Canada Pension Plan Retirement Application

8. Can I go back to previous steps that I have completed?

A.9. Using the browser's back button to return to a previously viewed screen will cause application errors. You will have a chance to correct any information entered once you reach Step 6 of 8.

Return to Canada Pension Plan Retirement Application

9. How do I submit my Signature Page or any other applicable documents when I apply online?

A.10. Mail your Signature Page and any other applicable documents to the address that is printed in Step 7 "Complete your application".

Return to Canada Pension Plan Retirement Application

10 .Why is this a two-part application process?

A.11. The two-part process is a requirement of CPP legislation. It helps ensure that benefits are only paid to the rightful beneficiary. The two-part online application offers a number of advantages:

  1. You can access the online application 24 hours a day, 7 days a week from anywhere in the world. This saves you the trouble of getting an application from an office or asking to have one mailed to you.
  2. The online application is easy to fill out. Just follow the steps. If you have a question at any time, there is an online "Help" feature in the top toolbar that lets you go back to the information sheet.

Once we have confirmed your identity and your pension application has been approved, you will be able to access several online services designed to help you manage your pension affairs (e.g. change your address; view and print your pension tax slips, etc).

Return to Canada Pension Plan Retirement Application

11.What can I do if I am experiencing problems while using the CPP Retirement Application?

A.12. If you have any questions or problems related to our CPP Retirement application, just select the "Contact Us" button at the top of the page (on the top browser toolbar).

Please note that you will be presented with the choice to either terminate your session or to continue with your application, if you choose to terminate your session close before you have completed the online part of your application, all the information you had entered will be lost.

Return to Canada Pension Plan Retirement Application

12. Can I apply for my Old Age Security pension online?

A.13. No, for the time being only the CPP Retirement Application can be filled out and submitted online. However, our long term plan is to make all Canada Pension Plan and Old Age Security applications available in a format that clients will be able to submit online.

Return to Canada Pension Plan Retirement Application