Canada Pension Plan Survivor Benefits
1. What are Canada Pension Plan survivor benefits?
Canada Pension Plan survivor benefits are paid to a deceased contributor's estate, surviving spouse or common-law partner and dependent children. There are three types of benefits.
The death benefit is a one-time payment to, or on behalf of, the estate of a deceased Canada Pension Plan contributor;
The survivor's pension is a monthly pension paid to the surviving spouse or common-law partner of a deceased contributor;
The children's benefit is a monthly benefit for dependent children of a deceased contributor.
The Canada Pension Plan death benefit is a one-time, lump-sum payment made to the deceased contributor's estate. If there is no estate, the person responsible for the funeral expenses, the surviving spouse or common-law partner or the next of kin may be eligible, in that order.
The Canada Pension Plan survivor's pension is paid to the person who, at the time of death, is the legal spouse or common-law partner of the deceased contributor (see definition of "spouse" and "common-law partner"). If you are a separated legal spouse and there is no cohabiting common-law partner, you may qualify for this benefit