What is the CPP Death Benefit? Amount, Eligibility and FAQs

Dealing with the death of a loved one can be difficult and overwhelming, but we’re here to support you in navigating the process.

One helpful financial resource that Canadians can claim after someone dies is the CPP (Canada Pension Plan) death benefit.

This article explains what the CPP death benefit is and answers some common questions about it, including the amount of the benefit, eligibility, and how to apply for it.

What is the CPP Death Benefit?
Who is Eligible for the CPP Death Benefit?
Who Can Apply for the CPP Death Benefit?
How to Apply for the CPP Death Benefit
Other Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about the CPP Death Benefit

What is the CPP Death Benefit?

The CPP death benefit is a one-time, lump-sum payment provided by the Canadian government. It is either paid to the estate of someone who has contributed to the Canada Pension Plan (CPP), or to other eligible individuals. The purpose of the payment is to provide financial assistance with funeral or end-of-life arrangement expenses.

As of January 1, 2025, the amount of the death benefit is up to $2,500, with a possible top-up of up to $2,500.To qualify for the top-up, the deceased person must qualify for the death benefit and meet both of the following criteria:

Have never received a disability benefit or retirement pension from the CPP or Quebec Pension Plan (QPP)
Not have a surviving spouse or common-law partner who is eligible for a survivor’s pension

Who is Eligible for the CPP Death Benefit?

To be eligible for the death benefit, the deceased person must have contributed to the Canada Pension Plan (CPP) for at least:

One-third of the calendar years during their contributory period for the base CPP, but not less than 3 calendar years, or
A total of 10 calendar years

If the deceased person lived in a country other than Canada for a period of time, they may still be eligible for the benefit. This is because Canada has social security agreements with a number of other countries. You can find more information on CPP eligibility in those situations here.

If the deceased person worked or lived in Quebec and contributed to both the CPP and the QPP, their contributions under both plans are combined when calculating the death benefit. However, there are some additional factors to consider if the deceased person only contributed to the QPP or lived in Quebec at the time of death. For more information, visit the Retraite Québec website.

Who Can Apply for the CPP Death Benefit?

The person applying for the CPP death benefit will depend on the situation:

If there is an estate, the person applying should be either the executor named in the will or the administrator named by the Court to administer the estate.
If there is no estate, or the executor has not applied for the death benefit, the benefit can be applied for and paid to another person. This is the order of priority for determining who this person is:
- The person or institution who is responsible for paying for the funeral expenses or end-of-life arrangements
- The deceased person’s surviving spouse or common-law partner
- The deceased person’s next of kin

Applicants can have a registered trustee, guardian, or other legal representative act on their behalf when filling out the application, but only if it is done in person, by mail or by phone. If filling it out online, the applicant must be submitted by one of the people mentioned above.

How to Apply for the CPP Death Benefit

There are a few steps to follow when completing the CPP death benefit application. Below is a high-level overview; for more detailed information on each step, read this article.

Pay for the funeral or end-of-life arrangements and get an invoice for the expenses.
Gather other required documents (including proof of death) and any other necessary information about the deceased and the person applying for the benefit.
Fill out the application form online or as a paper copy.
Mail the accompanying documents to Service Canada or drop them off to a Service Canada office.
Wait 6 to 12 weeks to receive the benefit payment.
If it’s been more than 12 weeks, check the status of your application by contacting the Canada Pension Plan.