Can I collect CPP if I move to another country?

Asked by: Silas Lakin  |  Last update: July 18, 2026
Score: 4.3/5 (17 votes)

Yes, you can collect your Canada Pension Plan (CPP) if you move to another country, as it is a contributory plan based on your work history in Canada, not your residency. Payments can be directly deposited into a Canadian or foreign bank account, although they are generally subject to a 25% non-resident withholding tax unless a tax treaty reduces this rate.

What happens to my CPP contributions if I leave Canada?

Any income between $3500 - $68,500 will have a deduction of 5.95% paid by you, as an employee, and 5.95% paid by your employer. Because CPP is a "member-contributed plan" it will always be yours, regardless of where you live in the world. If you paid in at least 1 CPP contribution, you are entitled to a benefit.

Will I lose my pension if I move to another country?

If you have a final salary or defined benefit pension, it's best to speak to a regulated financial adviser about your pension options if you're planning to move to another country. Transferring one of these pensions to another country may result in you losing out on the guaranteed income that it offers.

How long can I stay overseas without losing my pension?

Services Australia outlines the following: If you're overseas for up to 6 weeks — Generally, your pension payments will continue as normal if you're travelling for less than 6 weeks. If you're overseas for more than 6 weeks — Once you reach 6 weeks, your pension supplement will drop to the basic rate.

How long can you be out of Canada without losing your pension?

Leaving or returning to Canada

Your Old Age Security (and Guaranteed Income Supplement) may stop if you're away for more than 6 months and don't qualify for receiving your payments while outside Canada.

Retiring Abroad | What Happens to CPP, OAS & GIS?

40 related questions found

Can I live abroad and still get my pension?

If you live part of the year abroad

You must choose which country you want your pension to be paid in. You cannot be paid in one country for part of the year and another for the rest of the year.

Can you live in another country and collect Social Security?

Yes, you can generally collect U.S. Social Security benefits while living in most other countries, especially if you're a U.S. citizen, though restrictions apply for non-citizens and some countries have sanctions (like Cuba, North Korea) or specific rules, requiring you to use the SSA's Payments Abroad Screening Tool to check your eligibility and report your foreign residence to avoid benefit suspension. U.S. citizens can usually receive payments indefinitely, but non-citizens might need to be physically in the U.S. for certain periods, and you'll still need to meet eligibility credits and potentially handle foreign taxes. 

What is the $1000 a month rule for retirement?

The $1,000 a month rule is a retirement guideline suggesting you need about $240,000 saved for every $1,000 per month in desired income, based on a 5% annual withdrawal rate (5% of $240k is $12k/year, or $1k/month). It's a simple way to set savings goals, but it doesn't account for inflation, taxes, or other income like Social Security, so it's best used as a starting point, not a complete plan. 

Can I get the pension and live overseas?

Going to live overseas

If you get NZ Super or Veteran's Pension and plan to live overseas, you must apply to keep these payments going. You need to meet certain criteria and how much you get depends on which country you're going to live in.

Do I have to live in Canada to collect my pension?

You are likely eligible for a FULL pension if you have lived in Canada all your life. You may be eligible for a PARTIAL pension if you have lived outside of Canada for any period after the age of 18.

Can I keep my Canadian bank account if I leave Canada?

Therefore, provided you have severed primary residential ties to Canada, it is possible to maintain certain secondary ties to Canada such as maintaining a bank account, investment account or credit card. The date you become a resident of the new country you are immigrating to.

What happens if a Canadian stays out of Canada for more than 6 months?

In actual fact, you can be absent from Canada as long as you want. The Canadian government recognizes that citizens may travel extensively, work or study abroad. You will always maintain your Canadian citizenship. What absentia may affect is your Canadian health care coverage and income tax.

Can a retired Canadian live outside Canada?

For Canadians retiring overseas, knowing how to access their Canada Pension Plan payments while living abroad is crucial. The CPP allows eligible retirees to receive payments in foreign countries, but you still need to ensure proper arrangements are made before leaving Canada.

How long will $500,000 last in retirement in Canada?

Can you retire on $500,000 in Canada? Based on some of these rules, let's calculate what the retirement income would be. The average retirement age in Canada is 65. Estimating that the $500,000 is to last you 25 years, your yearly retirement income would be $20,000.

What is the 5 year rule for Social Security?

The Social Security "5-year rule" generally means you need to have worked and paid Social Security taxes for 5 out of the last 10 years to qualify for disability benefits (SSDI), ensuring you have a recent work history, though there are exceptions for younger workers. It also refers to a rule allowing those who previously received SSDI to get benefits reinstated if they become disabled again within five years, potentially skipping the usual waiting period. 

Do you lose your Social Security if you become a citizen of another country?

If you are a resident of a country that has a U.S. social security agreement, (other than Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Germany, Sweden, or Switzerland), we will continue your U.S. Social Security payments.

What happens to my retirement if I move abroad?

Can my 401k be transferred to a pension in another country? The simple answer is no. This can't happen because of the tax-qualified status in the United States. While every country has a similar program, there's no reciprocity and you cannot transfer your US pension to anywhere else.

Can I live overseas and still get my pension?

You may be able to get Age Pension for the whole time you're outside Australia, even if you're leaving to live in another country. If you leave within 2 years of returning to Australia to live, your payment may stop if you: came back to Australia to live. started getting Age Pension after you returned.

Do you lose social security benefits if you move to another country?

If you earned Social Security benefits, you can visit or live in most foreign countries and still receive payments. Look up the country on the Payments Abroad Screening Tool to find out if you can collect your Social Security payments or survivor benefits.

What happens to my pension if I move out of the country?

Yes, you can receive your Canada Pension Plan (CPP) payments while living outside Canada, as long as you meet the eligibility requirements. The CPP is a contributory plan, meaning you must have made sufficient contributions during your working years in Canada to qualify for benefits.