CPP Death Benefit in Ontario: How Much It Pays and Who Can Apply

After a death, money questions arrive quickly. Funeral costs come due while accounts may be frozen, and many families wonder whether the Canada Pension Plan (CPP) will help.

This article explains how much the CPP death benefit is, who qualifies, who can apply, and which related notices to send to Service Canada and the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA). For deaths on or after January 1, 2025, the benefit can be up to $5,000 in total.

How much the CPP death benefit pays

For deaths on or after January 1, 2025, the benefit is a basic amount of $2,500 plus a possible $2,500 top-up, for up to $5,000 in total. If the death happened before that date, the amount may be different, so it is worth confirming with Service Canada or a lawyer.

Who qualifies and when the top-up is not paid

The deceased must have contributed to CPP for at least one-third of the calendar years in their contributory period, with a minimum of three years, or for 10 calendar years.

The $2,500 top-up has its own limits. It is not paid in either of these cases:

• The deceased had ever received a CPP or QPP disability benefit, a post-retirement disability benefit or a retirement pension.
• A surviving spouse or common-law partner is eligible for a survivor's pension.

Applying for the survivor's pension is a separate process and is not covered here.

Who can apply: the executor first, then others

The executor should apply within 60 days of the date of death. In Ontario the estate trustee is the person with legal authority to manage the estate, so this application usually sits with them.

If there is no estate, or the executor does not apply, the benefit may be paid in this order: first to the person or institution paying the funeral expenses, then to the surviving spouse or common-law partner, then to the next of kin.

• Estate trustee or executor: applies within 60 days of the death.
• Funeral payer: first in line if there is no estate or the executor does not apply.
• Surviving spouse or common-law partner: next in order.
• Next of kin: last in order.

Related steps: CPP, OAS and the CRA

CPP and OAS benefits must be cancelled when the person dies. They are payable for the month in which the death occurs. Payments issued after that month must be returned, and any already cashed must be repaid. Service Canada can be reached at 1-800-277-9914.

Notify the CRA as soon as possible, by phone or by mailing Form RC4111, Notify the Canada Revenue Agency of a Death, to avoid benefit repayments. Any CRA payment received after the death should be returned to the tax centre.

Relatives who are not the estate trustee have no authority to withdraw money from the deceased's sole accounts. Keep that in mind if a benefit or refund arrives in the deceased's name. Ask the estate trustee or a lawyer how to handle it before using the money.

What to do next

• Find out the date of death and whether the estate trustee has been named or confirmed.
• Gather the deceased's Social Insurance Number, proof of death and funeral invoices.
• Check whether the deceased ever received a CPP or QPP disability benefit or retirement pension, since that affects the top-up.
• Apply within 60 days of the death if you are the executor.
• Call Service Canada to cancel CPP and OAS, and notify the CRA.
• Keep records of every payment received after the death so any repayment is accurate.

If the estate is unclear, if family members disagree about who should apply, or if you are unsure who has authority, a lawyer can confirm your position.

Frequently asked questions