CPP & EI Maximums 2026
The official CRA contribution ceilings for Canada Pension Plan (CPP), the CPP2 second tier, and Employment Insurance (EI) premiums in 2026 — the most an employee, employer, or self-employed worker will pay for the year. To calculate your own deduction rather than the annual maximum, use the CPP & EI Calculator.
2026 key numbers at a glance
Max CPP1
$4,230.45
Max CPP2
$416.00
Max CPP total
$4,646.45
Max EI
$1,123.07
Max EI (Quebec)
$895.70
CPP (base / CPP1) maximums 2026
CPP1 applies at 5.95% on earnings between the basic exemption and the YMPE. Your employer matches your contribution dollar-for-dollar; if you are self-employed, you pay both shares.
| Parameter | 2026 |
|---|---|
| Employee contribution rate | 5.95% |
| Employer contribution rate | 5.95% (matched) |
| Year's Maximum Pensionable Earnings (YMPE) | $74,600 |
| Basic exemption | $3,500 |
| Maximum employee CPP1 contribution | $4,230.45 |
| Maximum employer CPP1 contribution | $4,230.45 |
| Maximum self-employed CPP1 contribution (both shares) | $8,460.90 |
Formula: 5.95% × ($74,600 − $3,500) = $4,230.45.
CPP2 (second-tier) maximums 2026
CPP2 has applied since 2024 at 4.00% on earnings between the YMPE and the YAMPE (Year's Additional Maximum Pensionable Earnings) — a second, higher ceiling. See the CPP2 Calculator for a full walkthrough.
| Parameter | 2026 |
|---|---|
| CPP2 contribution rate | 4.00% |
| Additional ceiling (YAMPE) | $85,000 |
| Maximum employee CPP2 contribution | $416.00 |
| Maximum self-employed CPP2 contribution (both shares) | $832.00 |
| Combined CPP1 + CPP2 ceiling (max total employee CPP) | $4,646.45 |
Formula: 4.00% × ($85,000 − $74,600) = $416.00.
EI maximums 2026
EI premiums are capped at the Maximum Insurable Earnings (MIE). Employers pay 1.4× the employee premium. See the EI Benefits Calculator for what EI pays out, not just what you contribute.
| Parameter | 2026 |
|---|---|
| Employee premium rate (rest of Canada) | 1.63% |
| Employee premium rate (Quebec) | 1.30% |
| Maximum Insurable Earnings (MIE) | $68,900 |
| Maximum employee EI premium (rest of Canada) | $1,123.07 |
| Maximum employee EI premium (Quebec) | $895.70 |
| Employer premium multiple | 1.4× |
| Maximum employer EI premium (rest of Canada) | $1,572.30 |
| Maximum employer EI premium (Quebec) | $1,253.98 |
Formula: 1.63% × $68,900 = $1,123.07. Self-employed workers do not pay EI premiums unless they opt in to the special benefits program.
Quebec: QPP & QPIP maximums 2026
Quebec runs its own retirement plan (QPP, Quebec Pension Plan) instead of CPP, uses the same YMPE/YAMPE ceilings, and adds a separate QPIP (Quebec Parental Insurance Plan) premium alongside a reduced EI rate.
| Parameter | 2026 |
|---|---|
| QPP employee contribution rate (QPP1) | 6.30% |
| Maximum employee QPP1 contribution | $4,479.30 |
| QPP2 rate (same second tier as CPP2) | 4.00% |
| Combined QPP1 + QPP2 ceiling | $4,895.30 |
| QPIP employee premium rate | 0.43% |
| QPIP Maximum Insurable Earnings | $103,000 |
| Maximum employee QPIP premium | $442.90 |
| Maximum employer QPIP premium (0.60%) | $620.06 |
| Maximum self-employed QPIP premium (0.76%) | $786.92 |
A Quebec employee at or above every ceiling pays roughly $6,233.90 total in 2026 across QPP ($4,895.30), QPIP ($442.90), and the reduced Quebec EI rate ($895.70).
2025 vs 2026 comparison
All figures are official CRA / RQAP contribution rates and ceilings; maximums are computed from the rate × band so they always reconcile with the calculators above.
| Parameter | 2025 | 2026 |
|---|---|---|
| YMPE | $71,300 | $74,600 |
| YAMPE | $81,200 | $85,000 |
| Max CPP1 | $4,034.10 | $4,230.45 |
| Max CPP2 | $396.00 | $416.00 |
| Max CPP total (CPP1+CPP2) | $4,430.10 | $4,646.45 |
| EI Maximum Insurable Earnings | $65,700 | $68,900 |
| Max EI premium (rest of Canada) | $1,077.48 | $1,123.07 |
| Max EI premium (Quebec) | $860.67 | $895.70 |
| Max QPP1 (Quebec) | $4,339.20 | $4,479.30 |
| Max QPIP premium (Quebec) | $484.12 | $442.90 |
What happens when you hit the max mid-year
Deductions stop: once your year-to-date pensionable (for CPP/CPP2) or insurable (for EI) earnings reach the relevant ceiling, your employer's payroll system stops deducting that contribution for the rest of the calendar year. Your take-home pay rises for every remaining pay period, since the 5.95% (CPP1), 4.00% (CPP2), and 1.63% (EI) deductions disappear from your paycheque.
Multiple employers can over-contribute: each employer tracks the maximum independently, so if you changed jobs mid-year or worked more than one job at once, your combined CPP and/or EI deductions across employers can exceed the annual maximum even though no single employer over-withheld.
The excess comes back through your tax return: the CRA calculates any CPP or EI over-contribution automatically from your T4 slips when you file your T1 and adds it to your refund (or reduces your balance owing) — there is no separate form to submit.
Frequently asked questions
What is the maximum CPP contribution for 2026?
The maximum employee CPP contribution for 2026 is $4,646.45 — $4,230.45 of CPP1 (5.95% on earnings between the $3,500 basic exemption and the $74,600 YMPE) plus $416.00 of CPP2 (4.00% on earnings between the YMPE and the $85,000 YAMPE). Your employer matches this dollar-for-dollar; self-employed workers pay both shares, up to $9,292.90.
What is YMPE?
YMPE stands for Year's Maximum Pensionable Earnings — the CRA/CPP ceiling on which base CPP (CPP1) contributions are calculated. For 2026 the YMPE is $74,600, up from $71,300 in 2025. A second, higher ceiling — the YAMPE (Year's Additional Maximum Pensionable Earnings, $85,000 in 2026) — governs the CPP2 second-tier contribution introduced in 2024.
When do CPP contributions stop for the year?
Once your year-to-date pensionable earnings reach the YAMPE ($85,000 in 2026), both CPP1 and CPP2 deductions stop for the rest of the calendar year and your take-home pay rises. If you have only one employer, payroll software tracks this automatically. Separately, CPP contributions become optional between age 65 and 70 for anyone still working and collecting a CPP retirement pension, by filing Form CPT30.
Do I get CPP or EI over-contributions back?
Yes. If you worked for more than one employer in the year and your combined CPP and/or EI deductions exceeded the annual maximum, the excess is refunded automatically when you file your T1 tax return (CRA calculates it from your T4 slips — no separate application needed). This is common for people who changed jobs mid-year or held multiple jobs at once.
What is the maximum EI contribution for 2026?
The maximum employee EI premium for 2026 is $1,123.07 (1.63% on insurable earnings up to the $68,900 Maximum Insurable Earnings), or $895.70 for Quebec residents (1.30%, reduced because QPIP covers parental benefits). Employers pay 1.4× the employee premium — up to $1,572.30 per employee outside Quebec.
How does Quebec differ — QPP and QPIP instead of CPP and full EI?
Quebec residents contribute to the Quebec Pension Plan (QPP) instead of CPP — 6.30% in 2026 on the same $3,500–$74,600 band, for a maximum QPP1 contribution of $4,479.30 — plus the same 4.00% QPP2 second tier. They also pay a reduced EI rate (1.30%) and a separate QPIP (Quebec Parental Insurance Plan) premium of 0.43% up to $103,000 of insurable earnings, maxing at $442.90.
Related calculators
CPP & EI Calculator
Calculate your own CPP and EI deductions for any income.
CPP2 Calculator
Second-tier CPP contributions between the YMPE and YAMPE.
Payroll Deductions Calculator
Full per-pay breakdown of CPP, EI, and income tax with YTD tracking.
Income Tax Calculator
Federal and provincial income tax on top of your CPP/EI deductions.
EI Benefits Calculator
What EI pays out weekly if you become unemployed, sick, or take parental leave.
Sources
Last updated July 2026. CPP/CPP2/EI/QPP/QPIP figures verified against CRA and RQAP for 2025 and 2026.