Lived or Living Outside Canada - Pensions and Benefits
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.
What is a social security agreement?
A social security agreement is an international agreement between Canada and another country that is designed to coordinate the pension programs of the two countries for people who have lived or worked in both countries.
Canada has signed social security agreements with a number of other countries that offer comparable pension programs.
The requirements under the social security agreements vary from agreement to agreement. It is important to check the details of the agreement that relates to you.
How can a social security agreement help me qualify for benefits?
A social security agreement can help you qualify for benefits by allowing you to combine your periods of contribution or periods of residency in Canada with your periods of contribution or periods of residency in the other country to meet the minimum eligibility criteria. It can also reduce or eliminate restrictions based on citizenship or on payment of pensions abroad.
Note: Possible eligibility for more than one benefit
You may be eligible for a foreign pension, a Canadian pension, or both.
Canadian benefits
If you have lived and/or worked in Canada and in another country, and do not meet the contributory or residence requirement for a Canada Pension Plan or Old Age Security benefit, a social security agreement may help you qualify. It might also provide benefits to your surviving spouse, common‑law partner or children.
The Canadian benefits included in Canada’s international social security agreements are those paid under the Old Age Security program and the Canada Pension Plan program.
Foreign benefits
The foreign benefits covered by Canada’s international social security agreements vary from agreement to agreement. It is important to check the details of the agreement that relates to you.
Applying for Benefits
To learn about the benefits covered under a social security agreement, whether you might be eligible, and how to apply, select a country.
Note: A country without a social security agreement
If you live or lived in another country that doesn’t have a social security agreement with Canada, you must apply for your foreign benefits directly to that country’s social security authorities and apply for your Canadian pensions and benefits using the application forms and procedures found through the links from the Pensions in Canada page.
Receiving Benefits
See Already receiving a pension or benefits for information on such things as payment dates and rates, income tax, and when to notify Service Canada.
Non-residents also see Receiving payment outside Canada.
Note: Canadian pensions and benefits are taxable
See Taxes on pensions and benefits for those outside Canada.
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