CPP (Canada Pension Plan) retirement benefits are paid monthly, deposited on the third-to-last business day of each month. If you have direct deposit set up through My Service Canada Account, the money typically clears on the deposit date. Cheques by mail can take several additional business days.

2026 CPP Payment Schedule

Month CPP Payment Date
January 2026 January 27, 2026
February 2026 February 26, 2026
March 2026 March 27, 2026
April 2026 April 28, 2026
May 2026 May 27, 2026
June 2026 June 26, 2026
July 2026 July 29, 2026
August 2026 August 27, 2026
September 2026 September 29, 2026
October 2026 October 28, 2026
November 2026 November 26, 2026
December 2026 December 22, 2026

Note: December payment is issued earlier to avoid the holiday period.

How Much Is the CPP Payment in 2026?

CPP benefit amounts depend on your contribution history — how long you contributed and how much you earned. The 2026 figures are:

Benefit Type Maximum Monthly Amount Average Monthly Amount
CPP retirement (age 65) $1,433.00 ~$808
CPP retirement (age 60, maximum reduction) $1,002.10 ~$565
CPP retirement (age 70, maximum increase) $2,034.86 ~$1,147
CPP post-retirement benefit Up to $40.50/month additional Varies
CPP disability benefit $1,673.24 maximum ~$1,100
CPP survivor benefit (under 65) $739.31 maximum Varies
CPP survivor benefit (65 and over) $859.80 maximum Varies
CPP death benefit (lump sum) $2,500 $2,500
CPP children’s benefit $294.12/month per child Fixed

CPP2 enhancement: If you also contributed under the CPP2 second additional plan (introduced in 2024 for high earners), a separate monthly CPP2 retirement benefit will be paid in addition to the above.

How to Find Your Specific CPP Estimate

The CPP amounts above are maximums and averages. Your actual payment depends on your individual contribution history. To find your personalized estimate:

  1. Log in to My Service Canada Account at canada.ca/my-service-canada-account
  2. Go to “Canada Pension Plan / Old Age Security”
  3. View your Statement of Contributions — this shows every year you contributed and the amounts
  4. Your estimated monthly CPP benefit at ages 60, 65, and 70 is displayed in this section

If you do not have a My Service Canada Account, you can request a mailed Statement of Contributions by calling Service Canada at 1-800-277-9914.

How CPP Payments Are Made

Direct deposit is the fastest and most reliable way to receive CPP. To set up or update direct deposit:

  1. Log in to My Service Canada Account
  2. Go to “Banking information”
  3. Enter your bank’s transit number, institution number, and account number
  4. Changes take effect within 1–2 payment cycles

Cheque by Mail

If you have not set up direct deposit, Service Canada mails a cheque to your address on file. Allow 5–10 business days from the payment date for delivery. Cheques are issued in CAD unless you have arrangements for foreign currency (for recipients living abroad).

Living Outside Canada

CPP recipients living outside Canada can receive payments by direct deposit to a foreign bank account in many countries. Some countries have tax treaties with Canada that affect how CPP is taxed locally — check with your country’s tax authority.

What Happens to CPP Payments When You Die?

CPP payments stop the month after death. The estate or spouse may be entitled to:

  • CPP death benefit: A lump sum of $2,500 paid to the estate (claim using Form ISP1200)
  • CPP survivor benefit: A monthly benefit paid to the surviving spouse or common-law partner (reduced if they already receive their own CPP retirement benefit)
  • CPP children’s benefit: Paid to dependent children under 18 (or under 25 if in full-time education)

Notify Service Canada promptly after a death to avoid overpayments that must be repaid.

OAS Payment Dates 2026

Old Age Security (OAS) and CPP are paid on the same monthly schedule. If you receive both, both arrive on the same deposit date. See OAS Payment Amounts and Dates 2026 for OAS-specific amounts and eligibility.

WealthVieu
Written by WealthVieu

WealthVieu researches and writes data-driven personal finance guides using primary sources including the IRS, Bureau of Labor Statistics, Federal Reserve, and Census Bureau.

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