Ask a Planner

By Jason Heath, CFP on January 28, 2025
Estimated reading time: 5 minutes

By Jason Heath, CFP on January 28, 2025
Estimated reading time: 5 minutes

A Certified Financial Planner explains how the CPP process works for a non-resident of Canada and if a return to the country has an impact.

We have lived in the U.S. for three years. I have not applied for CPP. I have worked here for three years—I think you have to work for 10 years for Social Security. I am on a work visa (I am a CPA), which will end this December, but we have a project that my husband is working on that we will be using to apply for E2 visa.

So, I want to say that I plan on being away from Canada for at least another two years.

I graduated university in 1987 and have worked all my life since then, except three brief maternity leaves.

—Maryann

I will try to address the issues you raised, Maryann, as well as a few others I think may be of interest to you. Here are some considerations.

You can apply for a Canada Pension Plan (CPP) retirement pension as a non-resident of Canada. Unlike some other government benefits, residency does not have an impact on entitlement. You paid CPP contributions, along with your employers, over the years. Service Canada keeps track of these contributions from the time you turn 18 years old.

You can start your CPP as early as age 60 or as late as age 70. The longer you wait, the higher your payments. There are strategies to consider for timing your CPP start date, but for now, we will focus on your questions, Maryann.

The application process is the same whether you are a resident or not. You can apply using Service Canada’s online My Service Canada Account (MSCA) portal, or by completing and submitting by mail an application form (

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