What happens to your Canada Pension Plan when you die?

Your Canada Pension Plan (CPP) itself does not keep paying to your estate after you die, but your contributions can generate three types of benefits: a one-time CPP death benefit, a monthly survivor’s pension for an eligible spouse/partner or children, and the final Canada Pension Plan payment for the month of death only. What actually gets paid depends on your contribution history and your family situation at death, not the fact that you lived in Ontario (CPP is federal and works the same across provinces).
 

What stops and what continues

• Your own CPP retirement or disability pension stops the month after you die; CPP is only payable for the month of death, and any later payments must be repaid to Service Canada.
• After death, Canada Pension Plan may pay:
  • a lump-sum death benefit to your estate or another eligible person,
  • an ongoing survivor’s pension to an eligible spouse or common-law partner, and
  • children’s benefits for eligible dependent children.

Candad Pension Plan death benefit (lump sum)

• The CPP death benefit is a one-time payment normally made to the estate of the deceased contributor.
• For deaths on or after 1 January 2025, the benefit has:
  • a basic amount of 2,500 dollars, plus
  • a potential top-up of 2,500 dollars, for a maximum of 5,000 dollars if specific conditions are met.
• The top-up applies where the deceased qualified for the death benefit, had never received CPP/QPP retirement or disability benefits, and has no survivor’s pension payable to a spouse or partner; if those conditions are not met, the benefit remains 2,500 dollars.

Who actually receives the death benefit

• If there is an estate, the executor or estate trustee applies for the death benefit, and the payment is made to the estate.
• If there is no estate or the executor does not apply within 60 days, the benefit can be paid to:
  • the person or institution that paid the funeral expenses,
  • the surviving spouse or common-law partner, or
  • the next of kin, in that order of priority.

Survivor’s pension for spouse or partner

• If you have an eligible surviving spouse or common-law partner, they may receive a monthly CPP survivor’s pension based on your CPP contribution record.
• The amount depends on factors such as both spouses’ CPP entitlements and integration rules; if the survivor is already receiving their own CPP, the combined amount is subject to maximums and may be adjusted.

Children’s benefits

• Dependent children (under a certain age and/or in full-time education) may qualify for CPP children’s benefits if a CPP contributor dies and contribution requirements are met.
• These are monthly payments to each eligible child, separate from the survivor’s pension and death benefit.

Final month’s payment and estate issues

• CPP and Old Age Security payments already issued for the month of death are generally kept by the estate; any payments for months after death must be returned or repaid.
• Practically, the executor should:
  • notify Service Canada of the death to stop CPP/OAS,
  • apply for the death benefit on behalf of the estate, and
  • ensure any overpayments after the month of death are repaid from estate funds.

Ontario-specific context

• Canada Pension Plan is a federal plan, so the benefit structure is the same whether you die in Ontario or another province.
• Ontario law matters mainly for:
  • who becomes the estate trustee (with or without a will),
  • how the CPP death benefit and final CPP month are administered and distributed within the estate, and
  • interaction with any Ontario-based workplace pension plans, which have their own separate death/survivor benefit rules.

Ontario Survivor Benefits Checklist

A practical, Ontario-specific guide for surviving spouses, common-law partners, and executors handling federal survivor benefits after a death. Verify all figures and forms at canada.ca before filing — quarterly indexing changes amounts.
 

 Master Action Checklist

Within 30 days

• Obtain multiple original/certified copies of the death certificate (order 5–10 — banks, registered plans, and insurers each require one).
• Call Service Canada at 1-800-277-9914 to stop CPP/OAS (or confirm funeral director filed ISP1201).
• Notify CRA via 1-800-959-8281 or mail Form RC4111.
• Confirm what CPP/OAS deposits (if any) must be returned.
• Apply for CPP Death Benefit (ISP1200) — target within 60 days.

Within 60–90 days

• Apply for CPP Survivor’s Pension (ISP1300) — file ASAP to avoid losing retroactive months.
• If survivor is 60–64 and widowed: apply for Allowance for the Survivor (ISP-3008).
• If survivor is 65+: apply for or confirm OAS and GIS (ISP-3025); request current-year income assessment if income has dropped.
• If dependent children: include in ISP1300 or file ISP1402 for students aged 18–25.
• Register as legal representative with CRA (Represent a Client + RC552 if no will).
• Apply for an Ontario Certificate of Appointment of Estate Trustee (probate) if needed; file Estate Information Return within 180 days of issuance.

Tax year of death and following

• File the final T1 return by April 30 (or 6 months after death, whichever is later).
• Consider optional returns (rights or things, partner/proprietor, testamentary trust).
• Open a T3 estate trust account and file annual T3 returns.
• Confirm spousal rollovers on RRSPs/RRIFs/TFSAs and capital property.
• Update CRA marital status for the surviving spouse.

Before distributing the estate

• Pay all balances on the deceased’s and the estate’s accounts.
• File Form TX19 (Clearance Certificate) with the Sudbury Tax Services Office.
• Receive clearance certificate before final distribution.

Ongoing for the surviving spouse

• File a personal T1 every year — required to maintain GIS, Allowance, and provincial top-ups.
• Re-evaluate benefit eligibility at ages 60, 65, 70, and 75 (OAS amount increases at 75).
• If remarrying or entering a common-law relationship, immediately notify Service Canada — affects Allowance for the Survivor but not CPP Survivor’s Pension.

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