CPP's Benefits For Survivors

Question 1

What are the three main benefits available for survivors of a deceased CPP contributor?

Answer 1

1. Death benefit
2. Survivor’s pension
3. Children’s benefit

Question 2

What are the basic eligibility requirements for benefits for survivor’s?

Answer 2

If contributory period is less than 9 years, then the contributions must have been made for at least 3 years during that period.

If contributory period is greater than 9 years, then the contributions must have been made for (the lesser of the two):

1/3rd of the calendar years in the contributory period or 10 calendar years

Question 3

If there is no estate to receive CPP death benefit, who else can receive it?

Answer 3

In the following order:

Person handling the deceased contributor’s funeral

Surviving spouse or common law partner

Next of kin

Question 4

What is the death benefit amount?

Answer 4

It is the lesser of the following:

6 times the normal age 65
monthly retirement/calculated pension

10% of the contributors maximum pensionable earnings

$2500

Question 5

How long is the survivor’s pension benefit payable if the survivor is under 35?

Answer 5

Termination of benefit will occur on the death of the survivor or will tie in with specific changes in the original qualifying circumstances that include survivor’s disability or responsibility for raising deceased contributor’s dependent children.

Question 6

How long is the survivor’s pension payable if the survivor is over 35?

Answer 6

Benefits continue until the month of survivor’s death.

Question 7

Are survivor benefits terminated if survivor remarries or establishes a new common law relationship?

Answer 7

No. Benefits are payable.

If survivor remarries and is subsequently widowed a second or third time, only one survivor’s pension is payable but the payment is based on the relationship that generates the highest payment.

Question 8

When are survivor benefits terminated?

Answer 8

Benefits cease the month after the survivor’s death.

Question 9

What CPP benefit is not indexed for inflation?

Answer 9

The death benefit

Question 10

What is the maximum death benefit under CPP?

Answer 10

$2500

Question 11

What are the maximum CPP survivor’s benefit for the ages

• 65 and older
• 45 to 64
• under 45 and disabled or raising deceased contributor’s child
• under age 45 and not disabled and not raising deceased’s contributor’s child
• under age 35 and not disabled and not raising deceased contributor’s child

Answer 11

• 65 and older: 60% of deceased’s CPP up to the max of $1204/month for both pensioner’s CPP
• 45 to 64 or under age 45 and disabled or raising dependent child: a flat rate + 37.5% of deceased’s CPP
• under 45 and not disabled and not raising child: a flat rate + 37.5% of deceased contributor’s calculated retirement pension less 1/120th for each month survivor is under age 45 at time of contributor’s death
• under age 35 and not disabled and not raising deceased’s child: $0 until survivor is 65 or becomes disabled