What Happens to a Deceased Person's CPP and OAS Payments in BC?

After a death, government pension payments often keep arriving for a while. Families sometimes assume the money is theirs to keep or are unsure what to do with it. This article explains the general steps for Canada Pension Plan (CPP) and Old Age Security (OAS) payments for someone who lived in British Columbia.

It also covers two payments the family may be able to claim: the CPP death benefit and the survivor's pension. Details vary with each person's contribution record and family situation, so confirm your own facts with Service Canada or a lawyer.

This article covers the law of British Columbia.

Who to notify and when

Service Canada must be notified of a death as soon as possible. The number from Canada and the US is 1-800-277-9914. Separately, the Canada Revenue Agency should be told of the death so benefit payments it handles are stopped.

Payments received after the month of death

CPP and OAS benefits are payable for the month of death. All payments issued after the month of death must be returned. A direct deposit is returned through the bank, and otherwise you send a cheque payable to the Receiver General for Canada.

• Do not spend a payment that arrives after the month of death; set it aside until it is returned.
• Tell the bank that the payment is to be returned if it was a direct deposit.
• If you pay by cheque, make it payable to the Receiver General for Canada.
• Keep a copy of any letters and the date you reported the death.

The CPP death benefit

For deaths on or after January 1, 2025, the death benefit is a basic $2,500, with a possible $2,500 top-up for a maximum of $5,000. The executor named in the will, or a court-appointed administrator, applies, ideally within 60 days of the death.

To be eligible, the deceased must have contributed to CPP for at least one-third of the calendar years in the contributory period (and no less than 3 years), or for 10 calendar years. The top-up requires that the deceased never received a disability benefit and has no surviving spouse or common-law partner eligible for a survivor's pension.

If there is no estate or the executor has not applied, the benefit may be paid to the person or institution paying the funeral expenses, then to the surviving spouse or common-law partner, then to the next of kin.

The CPP survivor's pension

The survivor's pension is payable to the legally married spouse or a common-law partner who lived with the contributor in a conjugal relationship for at least 1 year. Apply as soon as possible, because back payments are limited to 12 months.

The amount is a flat-rate portion plus 37.5% of the retirement pension if the survivor is under 65, or 60% if 65 or older.

A separated legal spouse may qualify if the deceased had no common-law partner. That does not apply if a CPP credit split request for the same contributor was received and approved in January 2025 or later, unless they reunited and lived together for 12 months or more immediately before the death.

What to do next

• Call Service Canada at 1-800-277-9914 to report the death.
• Identify any CPP or OAS deposits made after the month of death and arrange their return.
• Have the executor or administrator apply for the CPP death benefit, ideally within 60 days.
• If there is a surviving spouse or common-law partner, apply for the survivor's pension promptly.
• Notify the CRA of the death as well.
• If the family is unsure who is the executor or administrator, speak with a lawyer.

Frequently asked questions