CA Tax Tools

CPP Survivor & Death Benefits

Use the right 2026 tool for a monthly survivor pension, a combined CPP payment, or the one-time estate benefit.

What to have ready

  • The deceased contributor's Social Insurance Number and contribution record.
  • The survivor's age and current CPP retirement or disability payment.
  • Estate documents and proof of death for a death-benefit application.

Frequently asked questions

How much is the CPP death benefit?

The standard CPP death benefit is a one-time payment of $2,500 paid to the estate (or, if there is no estate, to the person or institution that paid the funeral expenses, the surviving spouse/common-law partner, or the next of kin, in that order).

Can I receive both a CPP retirement pension and a survivor pension?

Yes, but the combined benefit is capped. In 2026 the maximum combined retirement-plus-survivor payment is $1531.56/month; the maximum combined disability-plus-survivor payment is $1756.14/month. Service Canada combines the two into a single monthly payment rather than paying both in full.

How much is the survivor pension before vs after age 65?

The calculation differs by age. Under 65, the pension is a flat amount plus a share of the deceased's retirement pension (2026 maximum $803.54/month). At 65 or older, it is a percentage of the deceased's retirement pension with no flat amount (2026 maximum $904.59/month).

Do dependent children get a CPP benefit too?

Yes. A dependent child of a deceased CPP contributor can receive a flat-rate monthly children's benefit — $307.81/month for a full-time student or child under 18, or $153.91/month for a part-time student, for 2026. This is separate from and paid on top of the survivor's own pension.

Official sources

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