Estonia - Pensions and Benefits

If you have lived or worked in Estonia and in Canada, or you are the survivor of someone who has lived or worked in Estonia and in Canada, you may be eligible for pensions or benefits from Estonia or Canada, or both.

The Agreement on Social Security between Canada and the Republic of Estonia came into force on November 1, 2006.

What benefits are available?

If you contributed to both the Canada Pension Plan and the Estonian pension program, or if you lived in Canada and Estonia, this agreement may help you qualify for:

  • Canadian old age and disability benefits
  • Estonian old age and disability benefits.

If you are the widow, widower or child of a person who contributed to the pension programs of both countries, this agreement may help you qualify for:

  • Canadian survivor benefits
  • Estonian survivor benefits.

You may qualify for a Canadian or Estonian benefits, or both. However, under the Agreement, the benefit paid by each country will be based solely on your creditable periods under that country’s pension program. In other words, Canada will pay a benefit amount reflecting the portion of your periods that are creditable under Canada's pension program, and Estonia will pay a benefit amount reflecting the portion of your creditable periods under Estonia's pension program.

Am I eligible to receive a benefit?

Canadian benefits

The Canadian pension programs included in the Agreement are the Canada Pension Plan (CPP) and the Old Age Security (OAS) program.

If you do not qualify for a Canada Pension Plan benefit based on your contributions to the CPP, Canada will consider periods of contribution to the pension program of Estonia as periods of contribution to the Canada Pension Plan.

If you do not qualify for an Old Age Security pension based on your years of residence in Canada, Canada will consider periods during which you resided in Estonia after the age of 18 as periods of residence in Canada.

Note: Quebec Pension Plan (QPP) contributors

The Government of Canada's international social security agreements cover Old Age Security and Canada Pension Plan benefits only. If you contribute or have contributed to the QPP but not to the CPP, please consult the Quebec Pension Plan.

Estonian benefits

The pension program of Estonia covers all residents of Estonia.

To qualify for a benefit under the pension program of Estonia, you normally must have contributed to the program for a minimum number of years.

If you have not contributed to the program for the minimum period, to qualify for an Estonian benefit under the Agreement, Estonia will consider periods of contribution to the Canada Pension Plan after the age of 18 as periods of contribution to the pension program of Estonia. In addition, to determine eligibility for an Estonian national pension under the Agreement, Estonia will consider periods of residence in Canada after the age of 18 as periods of residence in Estonia.

How do I apply?

Print and complete one of the following application forms:

If you live in Canada

If you live in Canada and want to apply for Canadian benefits, see Pensions in Canada.

If you live in Canada and want to apply for Estonian benefits:

Attach any necessary supporting documents, and return the application form to a Service Canada Centre, or mail it to:

International Operations

Service Canada

Ottawa ON K1A 0L4

CANADA

If you live in Estonia

If you live in Estonia and want to apply for a Canadian benefit:

Attach any necessary supporting documents, and return the application form to a social security office in Estonia, or mail it to:

International Operations

Service Canada

Ottawa ON K1A 0L4

CANADA

Estonia’s Social Security Website

Resources

Note: The Agreement

This page contains general information on the Agreement on Social Security between Canada and Estonia and may not describe all the provisions that apply to your situation. If you have any questions, please contact us. In the case of a discrepancy between this page and the Agreement, the wording and provisions of the Agreement will prevail.

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