Should I apply for an early retirement pension or disability benefit?

If at the time of applying for an early retirement pension, you have a significant health issue or a disability, you may be eligible to receive a disability benefit if:

• you are under the age of 65;
• you have been receiving your CPP retirement pension for less than 15 months; and
• you have been found disabled, as defined by the CPP legislation, before the effective date of your retirement pension.

If you meet the above criteria and are granted a disability benefit, you must make a written request to cancel your retirement pension in favour of the disability benefit. Any retirement benefits you received must be paid back.