You can collect CPP and OAS while living outside Canada during your golden years. However, there are a few conditions.
To receive your Canada Pension Plan while living abroad, you must be at least 60 years of age, have worked in Canada, and have contributed to CPP during that time.
To collect your Old Age Security while living outside the country, you must be at least 65 years of age, a Canadian citizen or resident, and have worked at least 20 years in Canada since the age of 18.
Key Takeaways
- Canadians living abroad are able to collect CPP and OAS payments as long as they meet the program requirements.
- Both CPP and OAS are considered income, so they are taxable.
- Even if you are out of Canada for more than six months, you'll continue to receive your CPP payments if you qualify.
- Depending on the country you reside in, your OAS payments may cease after six months, but you can restart them once you return to Canada.
Can you receive CPP and OAS outside of Canada?
So long as you qualify, you're able to collect CPP and OAS payments wherever you live.
You're subject to the same requirements for receiving CPP, whether you're living within Canada or abroad.
If you live outside the country and want to collect OAS payments, you'll have to meet more stringent requirements than recipients living in Canada.
Conditions for receiving CPP outside of Canada
To receive CPP payments while living abroad, you're still subject to the same conditions as those who choose to remain in Canada. You must:
- Be at least 60 years old
- You must have worked in Canada and contributed to CPP during your time here
Remember, CPP is a "member contributed plan," which means that any Canada Pension Plan contribution you make remains yours, no matter where you choose to live in the world.
If the country you choose to live in has signed a social security agreement with Canada, you may also qualify for the pension benefits of that country.
For more information, see: Lived or living outside Canada - Pension and benefits.
How to collect CPP outside of Canada
To collect CPP payments while living outside Canada, you must take the following steps:
- Fill out a paper CPP application
- Mail the completed form back to Service Canada.
Your payments will be sent to you via direct deposit. If you choose to receive your payments via cheque, they will be mailed out during the last three business days of each month.
Conditions for receiving OAS outside of Canada
To receive OAS payments while living abroad, there are a few conditions you need to meet that are slightly more restrictive than normal.
You must:
- Be at least 65 years old
- Be a Canadian citizen or legal resident (at least on the day before you left)
- Have lived in Canada for at least 20 years since you were 18 years old.
Like with CPP, you could also qualify if you live in a country that has a social security agreement with Canada. Even if you live in a country without a social security agreement with Canada, you can still receive your OAS payment for 6 months after you leave Canada before it terminates.
If you return to Canada, contact Service Canada to start receiving OAS again.
How to collect OAS outside of Canada
If you'd like to collect OAS payments while living outside Canada, follow these steps:
- Complete a paper OAS application
- Mail it back to Service Canada
You'll receive your OAS payments by either direct deposit or by cheque.
What happens to OAS and CPP if you leave Canada for more than six months?
If you're qualified to receive OAS while outside Canada, your payments will most likely continue as normal even after you hit the six-month mark. However, this depends on the country where you choose to live – Service Canada provides a list of countries that Canada has social security agreements with.
Assuming you reside in such an agreement-compliant country, you'll continue to receive CPP payments even if you're outside Canada for more than six months.
If you're not qualified to receive OAS payments while living outside Canada, your payments will stop six months after the month you left.
When you return to Canada, contact Service Canada to restart your OAS payments.
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$25 GeniusCash + Delicious meal choices with fresh ingredients + Front-door delivery.Are CPP and OAS taxed?
Both CPP and OAS payments count as taxable income. The CRA doesn't automatically deduct tax from CPP and OAS payments, so you may need to pay income tax each quarter.
You can get the CRA to automatically deduct income tax from your CPP and OAS payments by:
- Signing into your My Service Canada Account, OR
- Completing a request for voluntary tax deductions form and mailing it back to Service Canada or delivering it to a Service Canada branch
If you live outside of Canada, the CRA will deduct a non-resident tax from your CPP and OAS payment at a rate of 25% or less.
FAQ
Can I receive CPP disability outside of Canada?
Yes, you can receive CPP disability if you live outside of the country. Once you turn 65, your CPP disability benefit is automatically changed to a CPP retirement pension and this isn't affected by your location.
Can I receive CPP if I live outside of Canada?
Yes, collecting CPP while outside of Canada is absolutely possible. The requirements are the same as for Canadian-based recipients, which include having worked in Canada and contributed to CPP during the years you were working here.
Can I receive OAS if I live outside of Canada?
You can still receive OAS payments for up to 6 months after you move outside of Canada. Aside from a few other requirements, it's easiest if you live in a country that has a social security agreement with Canada.
How do I apply for CPP and OAS while living outside Canada?
If you're already living outside of Canada, you'll need to apply for CPP and OAS with a paper application that should be sent to a Service Canada office based in your most recent province of residence.
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