2025 CPP payment dates, and more information about the Canada Pension Plan

About the Canada Pension Plan (CPP)
The Canada Pension Plan is a pension that provides replacement income after a person retires. The CPP is a social insurance program that is one of the “pillars” of Canadians’ retirement income system – the other three pillars being Old Age Security (OAS), Guaranteed Income Supplement (GIS) and personal savings. The CPP is funded by contributions from workers, employers and the self-employed. Despite what many Canadians may think, it is not paid for by the government.
The CPP is a federally administered program and is mandatory, meaning all Canadian workers and employers must contribute. The plan covers all regions of Canada except Quebec, which has the Quebec Pension Plan (QPP) for residents of the province. Below are the CPP payment dates for 2024 and 2025.
2025 CPP payment dates
- 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
Where does the money for CPP come from?
Unlike OAS and GIS, CPP is funded by employers and employees as well as the self-employed. These contributions appear as deductions from paychecks and are aggregated and invested. For self-employed workers, the CPP owed on your net business income will be added to your tax bill. The principal plus any earnings earned goes back into the plan.
In January 2024, CPP contributions were increased as part of a seven-year government measure launched in 2019 to increase retirement income. Learn more about CPP enhancements and find out how much you’ll pay as an employee or freelancer.
Who manages CPP’s investment portfolio?
Investments in the pension scheme are managed by CPP Investments, a state-owned company that operates at arm’s length from the government. The Office of the Chief Actuary of Canada evaluates the sustainability of the program every three years; the next review will be in 2025.
Am I eligible to apply for CPP?
If you are 60 or older and have made at least one contribution to CPP, you are eligible for a CPP payment. You may also qualify if you have received CPP points from a former partner or spouse who contributed to the plan. CPP benefits are available to Canadian citizens, permanent residents, legal residents or landed immigrants.
Should I apply for CPP or QPP?
If you contributed to Quebec’s CPP and/or QPP while working, your place of residence at the time of application determines which program you are eligible for—if you are a resident of Quebec, you can start from the QPP. Otherwise, you can apply to CPP.
When can I start receiving CPP?
You are eligible to start receiving retirement benefits anytime between the ages of 60 and 70, but the younger you are when you start receiving CPP, the lower your monthly payments will be. Many Canadians choose to start receiving payments at age 65.