Do I lose my pension if I leave Canada?

Asked by: Genoveva Ortiz DVM  |  Last update: August 7, 2026
Score: 4.3/5 (32 votes)

You do not lose your CPP or OAS pension if you leave Canada, as payments are generally portable worldwide. However, to receive OAS abroad, you must be 65+ and have lived in Canada for at least 20 years after turning 18, or meet specific residency rules via social security agreements.

Do you lose your pension if you leave Canada?

Canadian Government Income Security Programs

As a non-resident of Canada, you may be entitled to apply for Canada Pension Plan (CPP) payments and Old Age Security Pension (OAS) payments. Canada also has agreements with a number of other countries that offer comparable pension programs.

Can I get my Canadian pension if I live in the US?

If you have Social Security credits in both the United States and Canada, you may be eligible for benefits from one or both countries. If you meet all the basic requirements under one country's system, you will get a regular benefit from that country.

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.

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.

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

31 related questions found

What is the 183 day rule in Canada?

Canada's 183-day rule is a key factor in determining tax residency: if you stay in Canada for 183 days or more in a calendar year, you're generally considered a resident for tax purposes for that entire year (a "deemed resident"), even if you don't have strong ties, subjecting your worldwide income to Canadian tax. However, this rule works alongside Canada's complex residency tests and tax treaties, meaning you might become a resident sooner with significant ties (like family or property) or avoid it if a treaty designates you a resident of another country. 

Do you lose your healthcare if you leave Canada?

Your provincial health plan must remain active for the entire duration of your trip. You will need to requalify for provincial health coverage if you leave and stay out of Canada beyond the maximum provincial time limits.

How long can I stay abroad without losing my pension?

Pension Credit

This may be extended up to eight weeks if you're away because of the death of a close relative. If you're going abroad for medical treatment, you may be able to receive Pension Credit for up to 26 weeks. You can't keep receiving Pension Credit if you move abroad permanently.

How long can you go overseas before you lose your pension?

If you receive New Zealand Superannuation (NZ Super) or Veteran's Pension and plan to go overseas for 26 weeks or less, you may also need to let Work and Income know. If you're planning to go overseas for more than 26 weeks, you must meet certain criteria and apply to keep receiving your payments.

What happens to my pension when I leave the country?

You'll need to contact the International Pension Centre to move your State Pension abroad. Also, if you're getting Pension Credit, it'll stop if you move abroad permanently. If you're moving abroad to receive medical treatment, you may still be able to receive this benefit for up to 26 weeks.

Do I have to declare my Canada-Canada pension on my U.S. taxes?

Canada will not withhold tax from your payments, and you won't need to file a Canadian tax return for these benefits. For U.S. tax purposes, your CPP and OAS are treated exactly like U.S. Social Security benefits. This means up to 85% of your payments may be taxable, depending on your total income and filing status.

How long can you collect Canadian pension if you live abroad?

If you decide to leave Canada to live elsewhere in the world your eligibility to receive the OAS pension is based on having lived in Canada for at least 20 years. If you lived in Canada for less than 20 years then you will receive your pension cheque for 6 months after you have left and then it will terminate.

Under what circumstances can you lose your pension?

Here are some situations that might affect your pension: Termination of employment before retirement: If you leave your employer before retirement age, you may forfeit some or all your pension benefits depending on your plan's vesting schedule.

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.

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.

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.

How long can I stay abroad without losing my retirement benefits?

If you leave the U.S., we will stop your benefits the month after the sixth calendar month in a row that you are outside the country. You can make visits to the United States for specific periods of time, depending on how long you've been outside, to continue receiving your benefits.

Will my pension be frozen if I move abroad?

Personal and workplace pensions

If you're in a personal or workplace pension scheme, moving abroad shouldn't have any effect: your pension should continue to be paid in full. you're normally entitled to any rises regardless of where you live in the world.

How long can I get the pension and live overseas?

If you get NZ Super or Veteran's Pension and plan to go overseas for 26 weeks or less, your payments may continue while you're away. If you're delayed and return to NZ after 26 weeks, we may still be able to help.

Can you still get your pension if you move to another country?

Age Pension can generally be paid even if you live in another country, what changes is the amount you receive. That amount is determined by how long you plan to be abroad and any International Social Security Agreements, which may apply.

What happens if I stay out of Canada for more than 6 months?

You may leave Canada for more than 6 months, as long you meet the residency requirements stated above. However, it is recommended that you wait to do so until you have your Permanent Resident (PR) Card. Your PR Card is your proof of residency in Canada.

Do Canadian citizens living abroad get free healthcare in Canada?

Prepare to Pay for Previously Free Services

As a Canadian expat living, working or traveling overseas, you will not have access to many government-funded healthcare services. Therefore, you need extra health care insurance to bridge the gap.

How long do benefits last after quitting Canada?

Ultimately when your coverage ends will vary depending by plan and provider, but in most cases, you're only covered when you're working for the employer. If you resign, your benefits normally end when your notice period is over.