2025 - 2026 CPP Payment Dates

CPP Payment Dates 2025-2026: Everything You Need to Know About Canada Pension Plan

When a person in Canada reaches retirement age, they'll qualify for the Canadian Pension Plan Retirement Pension, which is meant to be a source of income for them. But what exactly is the CPP, what are the payment dates, and how much can someone get if they qualify? This guide will answer all those questions and more!

Updated CPP Payment Dates for 2025

According to the Government of Canada website, the expected CPP payment schedule for 2025 is as follows:

• January 29, 2025

• February 26, 2025

• March 27, 2025

• April 28, 2025

• May 28, 2025

• June 26, 2025

• July 29, 2025

• August 27, 2025

• September 25, 2025

• October 29, 2025

• November 26, 2025

• December 22, 2025

CPP Payment Dates for 2026

Here's the confirmed CPP payment schedule for 2026:

• January 28, 2026

• February 25, 2026

• March 27, 2026

• April 28, 2026

• May 27, 2026

• June 26, 2026

• July 29, 2026

• August 27, 2026

• September 25, 2026

• October 28, 2026

• November 26, 2026

• December 22, 2026

Note: If a payment date falls on a weekend or statutory holiday, payments are processed on the previous business day. The December payment is typically issued earlier to accommodate the holiday season.

How Much Can You Receive from CPP in 2025?

Your eligible amount depends on your contributions during your working years and other factors. Whether you're nearing retirement or just planning ahead, knowing what to expect from your CPP payments helps you better prepare for your future.

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Maximum and Average Payment Amounts

In 2025, the maximum CPP monthly payment for new beneficiaries is projected to increase slightly to reflect inflation and economic adjustments.

For 2025, the approximate monthly amount you may be eligible to receive is up to $1,433. This is roughly a 2.6% increase from the previous year, where it was approximately $1,364. However, once again, it's important to remember that your individual life circumstances will be the ultimate deciding factor when it comes to how much you're eligible for.

Depending on your age, CPP amounts you could receive in 2025 are:

How Much Can You Receive from CPP in 2026?

The CPP continues to evolve with the ongoing CPP Enhancement. Understanding the 2026 benefit structure and contribution changes is important for your retirement planning.

Maximum Payment Amounts for 2026

For 2026, maximum CPP monthly payments are expected to increase based on annual Consumer Price Index (CPI) adjustments. While exact figures are subject to official confirmation, projections indicate:

Important Note: These amounts represent estimates based on expected CPI adjustments. Your actual benefit depends on your contribution history, earnings throughout your working years, and the age at which you begin receiving CPP.

What is the CPP Enhancement?

The CPP Enhancement was designed to increase retirement income for working Canadians and their families. On January 1, 2019, most Canadian employees, employers, and self-employed individuals started to make additional contributions to the CPP as part of this enhancement.

Anyone contributing to the CPP enhancement after January 1, 2019 will receive an increased amount of CPP retirement pension, post-retirement benefit, disability pension, and survivor's pension when they retire. This enhancement ensures that future generations of Canadian workers will have higher retirement income to maintain their standard of living.

Understanding the First and Second Earnings Ceilings

The CPP Enhancement introduced two important earnings thresholds that determine how much you contribute:

The First Earnings Ceiling (Year's Maximum Pensionable Earnings - YMPE)

The first earnings ceiling is the eligible income on which you make standard CPP contributions. It is formally known as the Year's Maximum Pensionable Earnings, or YMPE.

• 2025 YMPE: $71,300

• 2026 YMPE: $74,600

The Second Earnings Ceiling (Year's Additional Maximum Pensionable Earnings - YAMPE)

In 2024, the second earnings ceiling, known as the Year's Additional Maximum Pensionable Earnings, or YAMPE, was introduced. This is where Second Additional CPP contributions (CPP2) apply.

The amount of the second earnings ceiling is:

• Approximately 7% higher than the first earnings ceiling in 2024

• Approximately 14% higher than the first earnings ceiling in 2025 and following years

Second Earnings Ceiling by Year:

• 2024 YAMPE: $73,200

• 2025 YAMPE: $81,200

• 2026 YAMPE: $85,000

Second Additional CPP Contributions (CPP2)

Second additional CPP contributions (CPP2) began on January 1, 2024. They are additional CPP contributions for workers who earn higher wages. CPP2 contributions are made in addition to base CPP and first additional CPP contributions.

How CPP2 Contributions Are Calculated

CPP2 contributions are made by anyone who earns wages above the first earnings ceiling. CPP2 are calculated as a percentage of wages above the first earnings ceiling up to the amount of the second earnings ceiling.

CPP2 Contribution Rates:

• Employees contribute 4% of the amount they earn between the first earnings ceiling and the second earnings ceiling

• Employers also contribute 4% on behalf of their employees

• Self-employed individuals contribute 8% of the amount they earn between the first earnings ceiling and the second earnings ceiling

2026 Contribution Structure Explained

If you earn less than $74,600 (the first earnings ceiling in 2026):

You will not make CPP2 contributions. You will continue to make base and first additional CPP contributions of 5.95% if you are an employee (with your employer matching 5.95%), or 11.9% if you are self-employed.

If you earn more than $74,600 but less than $85,000 in 2026:

You will make both standard CPP contributions AND CPP2 contributions:

• On earnings up to $74,600: You contribute 5.95% (employee) or 11.9% (self-employed)

• On earnings between $74,600 and $85,000: You contribute an additional 4% (employee with employer matching 4%) or 8% (self-employed)

If you earn more than $85,000 in 2026:

You will make CPP contributions up to both ceilings:

• On earnings up to $74,600: Standard contributions of 5.95% (employee) or 11.9% (self-employed)

• On earnings between $74,600 and $85,000: Additional CPP2 contributions of 4% (employee with employer matching 4%) or 8% (self-employed)

• On earnings above $85,000: No CPP contributions required

Complete 2026 Contribution Rate Table

How Are CPP Payments Calculated?

CPP payments are not a fixed amount for everyone—they're calculated based on your contributions during your working years. The amount depends on these three main factors:

How Much You Contributed: The more you contributed through payroll deductions, the higher your monthly payment will be.

How Long You Contributed: Contributions over many years result in a larger payout.

When You Start Receiving CPP: You can start as early as age 60, but this reduces your payment. If you wait until after age 65, your payment will be higher.

Factors That Affect Your CPP Payment

Several factors influence the amount you'll receive from CPP in 2025 and 2026:

Contribution History: The more years you've worked and contributed, the higher your potential payout will be. The CPP Enhancement means that contributions made after January 1, 2019, including CPP2 contributions on higher earnings (between the first and second earnings ceilings) will increase your retirement benefit.

Earnings: CPP contributions are based on your income, meaning higher earnings would typically result in larger contributions and higher payments.

Retirement Age: Your payment will be reduced if you start taking CPP early (before age 65). On the opposite end, delaying it past 65 can increase your monthly benefit.

Child-Rearing Provisions: If you took time off work to raise children under 7, you may qualify for a provision that excludes low-earning years from your CPP calculation.

Disability Contributions: Contributions made while receiving CPP disability benefits can also factor into your retirement payment.

What If You Don't Receive Your CPP Payment on Time?

It can definitely feel a bit stressful if your CPP payment doesn't arrive on the expected date. But don't worry, it's usually easy to fix. First, if you check your bank account and the deposit is not there, give it one extra business day to account for any banking delays.

If the payment is still missing, contact Service Canada immediately. They should be able to investigate the issue further and make sure you get your money ASAP.

If you get your payments by mail, confirm that your mailing address is correct and updated. Sometimes, there may be issues with the mail carrier that result in a delay (for example, the Canada Post strike in 2024), and in that case, you would need to get in touch with them. This is why switching to direct deposit is always a better idea and can help prevent future delays.

What is the Canada Pension Plan (CPP)?

The Canada Pension Plan (CPP) is a government program that provides financial support to Canadians during their retirement years. It's funded through mandatory contributions from workers and employers.

The point of CPP is to ensure a steady income stream to help Canadians cover living expenses after they leave the workforce. Beyond retirement benefits, CPP also offers disability, survivor, and death benefits for Canadians.

Who is Eligible for CPP?

To be eligible for CPP, you need to meet a few key criteria:

Age: You must be at least 60 years old to start receiving CPP retirement benefits.

Contributions: You must have made contributions to the CPP during your working years. Contributions are automatically deducted from your earnings if you are employed (or made through the Canada Revenue Agency if you are self-employed).

Residency: While the CPP primarily serves Canadians, non-residents who have contributed to the program while working in Canada may also qualify, but you'll need to verify that with Service Canada.

How Does CPP Work?

The CPP operates as a contributory program, which means both employees and employers contribute a percentage of the employee's income to the plan. These contributions are then pooled into a fund managed by the Canada Pension Plan Investment Board (CPPIB).

Here's a brief overview of how CPP works. You contribute a percentage of your income up to a yearly maximum, as determined by the government. Contributions are made automatically through payroll deductions. Then, when the time comes, your CPP retirement benefit is calculated based on your total contributions and the number of years you contributed.

You can choose to start receiving CPP as early as age 60 or delay it until age 70. Starting early results in smaller monthly payments, while delaying increases your benefit amount. CPP offers other types of financial assistance too, such as disability benefits for those unable to work due to a severe disability and survivor benefits for the family of a deceased contributor.

How to Apply for CPP?

Knowing when and how to apply can help you start receiving your benefits on time without delays. Here's what you need to know about the application process.

When Should You Apply for CPP?

You can apply for CPP anytime after you turn 60. Most people choose to start their payments at 65, but you can receive benefits earlier or delay them until age 70. But the timing will impact your monthly payment:

• Starting before 65 reduces your payment by 0.6% per month (up to a 36% reduction by age 60).

• Delaying after 65 increases your payment by 0.7% per month (up to a 42% boost by age 70).

Ultimately, it may sound self-explanatory but you'll want to apply for CPP as soon as you think you'll need it.

Documents You Need to Apply

When applying for CPP, you'll need to gather certain documents to prove your eligibility. These include:

• Social Insurance Number (SIN)

• Proof of Birth (like a birth certificate or other government-issued ID)

• Direct Deposit Information

• Optional Forms (needed if you're applying for special provisions like a post-retirement benefit or sharing credits with a spouse)

How Long Does It Take to Get Approved?

Unfortunately, it can take anywhere from 6 to 12 weeks for your application to be reviewed, approved, and processed. This is why it's so important to make sure you complete the application as accurately as possible and include all the necessary documentation. Otherwise, things could just get delayed unnecessarily.

Even if you do submit your application well in advance with all the necessary documentation, all it takes is a small error to make the process take longer. This is why it's important to double-check for any missing information or mistakes before submitting.

However, the good news is that once approved, your payments will start the following month and may include retroactive payments for up to 12 months if applicable.

As always, if you have any questions or are concerned about delays in applying or receiving your CPP benefits, contact Service Canada as soon as possible.

How much will CPP benefits increase in 2026 in Canada?

CPP benefits in 2026 are expected to increase based on the annual Consumer Price Index (CPI) adjustment, with the maximum monthly payment projected to reach approximately $1,470 for new beneficiaries. This reflects the ongoing commitment to maintaining the purchasing power of CPP benefits for Canadian retirees.

Additionally, workers contributing under the CPP Enhancement (with contributions beginning January 1, 2019, including CPP2 contributions on higher earnings) will eventually receive higher retirement benefits than those calculated under the previous system. The full benefits of the enhancement will be realized over time as workers contribute throughout their careers.

What is the $2,385 CPP payment?

The $2,385 amount refers to the combined total of CPP, OAS, and GIS benefits that eligible seniors may receive. This includes regular CPP payments (which vary based on contribution history), OAS payments, and GIS for those who qualify.

Are seniors getting extra money in 2026?

In 2026, Canadian seniors will continue to receive annual cost-of-living increases to their CPP benefits based on the Consumer Price Index. The maximum CPP retirement benefit is projected to increase to approximately $1,470 per month for new beneficiaries.

It's important to note that the CPP Enhancement represents a long-term investment in higher retirement benefits for future retirees, particularly those who have been contributing under the enhanced system since January 1, 2019. Current seniors will see the standard CPI-based increases to their existing benefits. For personalized information about your specific benefit amount and any additional support you may be eligible for, contact Service Canada directly.