3. Learn about the death benefit

When someone who paid enough into the Canada Pension Plan (CPP) dies, CPP pays a death benefit.

Usually, the death benefit is paid to the person's estate. But there may not be an estate or the estate may not apply within 60 days of the person's death. If either of those things happen, the following people can apply in the order below:

1. whoever pays for the funeral expenses
2. the person's spouse or common-law partner
3. the person's closest relative

The CPP pays the benefit all at once. In 2025, the amount is $2,500.

Benefit top-up

You may get an extra $2,500 as part of the death benefit if the person:

• died before they got any of their retirement or disability pension, and
• does not have a spouse or common-law partner who's alive.

When you get the death benefit

The CPP will pay a death benefit after someone dies if they made CPP contributions for:

1. 10 calendar years, or
2. at least one out of every 3 calendar years during the time they paid into the CPP. This must add up to at least 3 years. For example, if they paid into the CPP on and off for 24 years, they would have had to make contributions for at least 8 of those years. That's because 24 years divided by 3 is 8 years.

A calendar year goes from January to December.

If the person lived in a country that has a social security agreement with Canada, contributions that they made in that country may count.

Applying for the death benefit

You must apply to get the death benefit. The application form and instructions for filling it out are on the Government of Canada website.