How to Cancel CPP and Alberta Benefits After a Death

After a death, government payments do not stop on their own in every case. Some programs need to be told, and money paid after the death may have to be paid back. It helps to know who to call and in what order.

This article walks through reporting a death for CPP, OAS and Alberta programs, what happens with overpayments, and the two CPP benefits that may be payable to the family: the death benefit and the survivor's pension.

This article covers the law of Alberta.

Reporting the death to Service Canada

Report the death of a CPP or OAS recipient to Service Canada as soon as possible. You can phone 1-800-277-9914 (have the SIN ready) or mail a Service Canada office.

Have the deceased's full name, date of birth, date and place of death, marital status, SIN if known, and address on hand. Proof of death is only needed if Service Canada asks for it. Accepted documents include an official death certificate, a funeral home certificate, or a letter from an estate administrator or court-appointed trustee.

For an Alberta death, the SIN is cancelled automatically as provincial vital statistics reports the death. The family needs to report the SIN only for deaths in a territory or outside Canada.

Overpayments and what the estate keeps

The estate keeps CPP and OAS payments for the month of death. Payments issued after that month must be returned, and any that were cashed must be repaid. You can ask the bank to return direct deposits, or send a cheque payable to the Receiver General for Canada.

The same idea applies to the Canada Revenue Agency: money received after a death may need to be returned, so contact the CRA as soon as possible. For AISH or ADAP overpayments, the person is notified and has 30 days to request a waiver or appeal. Collection starts after a repayment agreement is signed or 30 calendar days pass without an appeal or request for more time.

Alberta programs to contact

• Alberta Seniors Benefit stops the month after the recipient's death. Contact the Alberta Supports Contact Centre at 1-877-644-9992, Monday to Friday, 7:30 am to 8 pm.
• AISH and ADAP: call Alberta Supports at the same number to report the death and ask about any overpayment.
• AHCIP: for a death outside Alberta, notify AHCIP in person at a registry agent or the AHCIP office with the person's full name, date of birth and date of death, then securely destroy the health card.
• Employment Insurance: if the person received or may have been eligible for EI, call 1-800-206-7218.

The CPP death benefit and survivor's pension

The CPP death benefit is a basic $2,500. A further $2,500 top-up, for a $5,000 maximum, applies to deaths on or after January 1, 2025, only if the deceased never received a CPP or QPP disability benefit, post-retirement disability benefit or retirement pension, and has no eligible surviving spouse or common-law partner.

To qualify, the deceased must have contributed for at least one-third of the calendar years in their contributory period (minimum three years), or for at least 10 calendar years. If an estate exists, the executor should apply within 60 days of the date of death, online through My Service Canada Account or on paper with form ISP1200. Payment usually takes about 6 to 12 weeks.

If there is no estate or the executor has not applied, the benefit is paid in priority order to the person or institution that paid or is responsible for funeral expenses, then the surviving spouse or common-law partner, then next of kin. Registered trustees, guardians or legal representatives cannot apply online.

The CPP survivor's pension is payable to a legal spouse or common-law partner of a deceased contributor. Common-law means a conjugal relationship lived together for at least 1 year. At 65 or older it is 60% of the contributor's retirement pension; under 65 it is a flat-rate portion plus 37.5% of it. Apply online or with form ISP1300. Payments start the month after death at the earliest, and back payments cover up to 12 months.

A separated legal spouse may qualify if the deceased had no common-law partner. Remarriage does not stop the pension, and if you are widowed more than once only the largest survivor's pension is paid. A CPP credit split for the same contributor approved in January 2025 or later generally makes you ineligible, unless you reunited and lived together at least 12 months before the death.

Funeral benefits and what to do next

Funeral costs are paid by the estate. If funds are insufficient, the funeral home can apply for Alberta government funeral benefits. For Income Support clients and low-income Albertans, the CPP death benefit must be signed over to the Alberta government. For AISH clients it is not used for funeral expenses, and a personal representative or next of kin may apply for it.

• Phone Service Canada to report the death of a CPP or OAS recipient.
• Call Alberta Supports about Seniors Benefit, AISH or ADAP.
• Contact the CRA and ask about returning any money received after death.
• Ask the bank to return any payments issued after the month of death.
• Apply for the CPP death benefit and, if you are a spouse or partner, the survivor's pension.
• Keep copies of every call, letter and form.

Before distributing any estate money, remember that the CRA recommends applying for a clearance certificate so the representative knows whether tax is still owing. A lawyer or accountant can confirm how this applies to your situation.

Frequently asked questions