Do you lose your CPP if you move to another country?

Asked by: Myra Terry  |  Last update: July 23, 2026
Score: 4.2/5 (25 votes)

No, you do not lose your Canada Pension Plan (CPP) if you move to another country. Because CPP is a contributory plan based on your work history in Canada, you are entitled to receive your payments anywhere in the world, regardless of your citizenship or residency. You must, however, inform Service Canada of your move to ensure continued, uninterrupted payments.

What happens to CPP if I leave Canada?

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. OAS, on the other hand, comes out of the general tax revenues.

Can I still get my Canadian pension if I live abroad?

If you have lived or worked in Canada and in another country, or you are the survivor of someone who has lived or worked in Canada and in another country, you may be eligible for pensions and benefits from Canada and/or from the other country because of a social security agreement.

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.

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.

Retiring Abroad? Do You Lose Your CPP and OAS if You Move Out of Canada?

28 related questions found

What happens if I stay more than 6 months outside Canada?

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.

How long can I live abroad and still get my pension?

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.

What is the easiest country for Canadians to retire in?

What's the best place for Canadians to retire?

  1. Panama. Panama is often considered one of the best places for Canadians to retire abroad, thanks to its warm climate, affordable cost of living, and retiree-friendly policies. ...
  2. Mexico. ...
  3. Costa Rica. ...
  4. Portugal. ...
  5. Spain. ...
  6. Italy. ...
  7. Greece.

Can you have dual citizenship and still collect Social Security?

Yes, dual citizens can receive U.S. Social Security benefits if they qualify, as citizenship isn't the main factor; meeting work credit requirements and living in a country with a Social Security agreement (totalization agreement) or being eligible under U.S. law are key, allowing benefits to be paid abroad or combined with foreign credits. The key is earning sufficient U.S. work credits, and totalization agreements help by counting work from both countries, preventing double taxation, and helping people qualify for benefits they might otherwise miss.

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.

Do you lose your CPP?

The Canada Pension Plan (CPP) retirement pension is a monthly, taxable benefit that replaces part of your income when you retire. If you qualify, you'll receive the CPP retirement pension for the rest of your life.

Should I take a $44,000 lump sum or keep a $423 monthly pension?

Deciding between a $44k lump sum and a $423/month pension depends on your health, longevity expectations, risk tolerance, and financial goals; the monthly check offers guaranteed income for life (great if you live long or need certainty) while the lump sum provides control and investment potential but risks misspending or market loss, though you can use it to pay off high-interest debt or invest for growth, but be mindful of immediate taxes and a potential loss of future guaranteed income for heirs.

Can I lose my Canadian pension if I live abroad?

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.

Can I collect CPP if I live in the USA?

You can apply for Canadian benefits (OAS, CPP or QPP) at any U.S. Social Security office by completing application form CDN-USA 1 (for OAS and CPP benefits) or QUE/USA-1 (for QPP benefits).

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.

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 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.

How long can you live outside Canada without losing benefits?

To remain eligible for your Canadian provincial/territorial government health insurance, you cannot travel outside your province/territory of residence for a total of more than 7 months (212 days) within a year, or 6 months (183 days) if you live in Quebec, PEI or Nunavut. This includes travel within Canada.

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 Canadian citizens living abroad get free healthcare?

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. A comprehensive global health plan can help you get access to these medical services.