Statement of Contributions and Canada Pension Plan (CPP) - Frequently Asked Questions
...about the Statement of Contributions
- 1. What is a Statement of Contributions?
- 2. Some information on my Statement of Contributions is incorrect. How do I get it changed?
- 3. Where can I get more information about my Statement of Contributions?
- 4. How do I request a CPP Statement of Contributions?
- 5. Can I request my Statement of Contributions through the Internet?
- 6. Can I request a Statement for a friend, spouse/common-law partner or relative?
- 7. Can I get a Statement of my contributions to the Quebec Pension Plan?
...about the Statement of Contributions Online service
- 8. What is the CPP Statement of Contributions Online service and what can it do for me?
- 9. How do I access this service?
- 10. Is my personal information secure when I use this online service?
- 11. What is the difference between Statement of Contributions Request online and the CPP Statement of Contributions Online service?
- 12. Can I request a Statement of Contributions for a friend, spouse/common-law partner or relative using this service?
- 13. Can I get a Statement of my contributions to the Quebec Pension Plan using this service?
...about the Canada Pension Plan
- 14. Do I have to contribute to the Canada Pension Plan?
- 15. How much will I get from the Canada Pension Plan?
- 16. I contributed to the Quebec Pension Plan while I worked in the Province of Quebec. How will that affect my pension?
- 17. I have heard that the Canada Pension Plan is going broke. Is that true?
Frequently Asked Questions about the Statement of Contributions
1. What is a Statement of Contributions?
With very few exceptions, every person in Canada over the age of 18 who earns a salary must pay into the Canada Pension Plan, or the Quebec Pension Plan if they work in the province of Quebec. The Canada Pension Plan (CPP) records each person's contributions and reports them on a personal Statement of Contributions.
A CPP Statement of Contributions is an important financial document. It provides you with information on your earnings and contributions to the Canada Pension Plan and the Quebec Pension Plan, if you have contributed to both Plans.
If you are 30 years old or more, your CPP Statement gives you an estimate of how much your monthly retirement pension could be at age 65 based on your average earnings since you were 18, if your earnings continue at the same level until age 65. The Statement also gives you estimates of disability and survivors' benefits that are provided under the Plan.
2. Some information on my Statement of Contributions is incorrect. How do I get it changed?
It is important that all personal information that appears on your Statement is accurate and complete. All Canada Pension Plan benefits you may be eligible for in the future will be based on this information.
If your name, date of birth or earnings and contributions information is incorrect or missing, you should request that it be corrected by following the instructions on the back of your Statement. See Contact Us for details.
3. Where can I get more information about my Statement of Contributions?
For more information about your Statement or about the Canada Pension Plan in general, call us at 1 877 454-4051.
If you are hearing or speech-impaired and use a teletypewriter a telecommunications device for the deaf (TDD) please call 1 800 255-4786.
You can also write to us at:
Contributor Client Services
Canada Pension Plan
P.O. Box 9750, Postal Station T
Ottawa, ON K1G 4A6
4. How do I request a CPP Statement of Contributions?
You can request a Statement once in any 12-month period. You can apply online and your Statement will be mailed to you within two weeks.
Or, if you prefer, you can print an Application for a Statement of Contributions from our web site or request that one be mailed to you by calling us at 1 877 454-4051.
If you are hearing or speech-impaired and use a teletypewriter (TTY), please call 1 800 255-4786.
Once your application is complete, mail it to us at:
Contributor Client Services
Canada Pension Plan
P.O. Box 9750, Postal Station T
Ottawa, ON K1G 4A6
5. Can I request my Statement of Contributions through the Internet?
Yes. You can apply online to receive your Statement. It will be sent to you by mail in about two weeks.
6. Can I get a Statement for a friend, spouse/common-law partner or relative?
No, but you can assist them in completing a request form.
7. Can I get a Statement of my contributions to the Quebec Pension Plan?
Yes. If you have contributed to the Quebec Pension Plan, you can request a Statement of Participation in the Quebec Pension Plan by contacting the Régie des rentes du Québec at:
- Régie des rentes du Québec
Service des cotisants
P.O. Box 5200
Quebec, QC G1K 7S9
More information is available on the Quebec Pension Plan 
web site.
Note : If you have contributed to both CPP and the QPP, your QPP contributions will be on the statement you receive from Social Development Canada.
Frequently Asked Questions about the CPP Statement of Contributions Online Service
8. What is the CPP Statement of Contributions Online service and what can it do for me?
The CPP Statement of Contributions Online service is a new E-Service offered by the Department of Social Development and is available to users 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. It allows users who have contributed to the Canada Pension Plan, who are 18 years of age and over, and who do not have their contributions records administered by the Régie des rentes du Québec, to:
- View and print their up-to-date earnings and contributions to the Canada Pension Plan online;
- View and print their estimated monthly Canada Pension Plan benefits;
- Print an unofficial copy of their up-to-date Canada Pension Plan Statement of Contributions; and
- Request that we mail them an official copy of their Canada Pension Plan Statement of Contributions.
9. How do I access the CPP Statement of Contributions Online service?
To ensure the security of your information online you will require a Personal Access Code. If you do not have one, instructions on how to apply are available on this web site from "E-Services" on the left-hand menu bar.
You should receive your Personal Access Code by mail within 5 to 10 business days.
Once you have your Personal Access Code, the service can be accessed from this Web site by selecting "E-Services" from the left-hand menu bar, then "Services for" and "Workers", and selecting "Canada Pension Plan Statement of Contributions Online".
10. Is my personal information secure when I use this online service?
Yes. Social Development Canada ensures that information provided through online transactions is secure and well protected.
11. What is the difference between Statement of Contributions Request online and the CPP Statement of Contributions Online service?
The Statement of Contributions Request Online service allows you to send us an online request to mail you an official copy of your Statement of Contributions once in any 12-month period. You must be a resident of Canada to use this service.
The CPP Statement of Contributions Online service is a quick and easy way for our clients in Canada or living abroad to view and print an up-to-date version of their Statement of Contributions at any time between the once a year allowable mailings. Please note, however, that this copy is not an official or legal version of your Statement of Contributions
.12. Can I request a Statement of Contributions for a friend, spouse/common-law partner or relative using this service?
No. The CPP Statement of Contributions Online service is only for your personal use to allow you to view and print information related to your Statement of Contributions.
13. Can I get a Statement of my contributions to the Quebec Pension Plan using this service?
If you have contributed to both Plans and live outside of Quebec, then this information will be on your Statement of Contributions.
However, if you have contributed to the Quebec Pension Plan only, or have contributed to both plans but currently live in the Province of Quebec, you must contact the Régie des rentes du Québec to request a separate Statement of Participation in the Quebec Pension Plan. If you currently live outside of Canada and your last contribution was made to the Quebec Pension Plan, you must also contact the Régie des rentes du Québec to request a separate Statement of Participation in the Quebec Pension Plan. You can write to them at:
Régie des rentes du Québec
Service des cotisants
P.O. Box 5200
Quebec, QC G1K 7S9
More information is available on the Quebec Pension Plan web site.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Canada Pension Plan
14. Do I have to contribute to the Canada Pension Plan?
Yes. With very few exceptions, every person in Canada over the age of 18 who earns a salary must pay into the Canada Pension Plan. You and your employer each pay half of the contributions. If you are self-employed, you pay both portions.
You do not make contributions if you are receiving a Canada Pension Plan, CPP disability, or CPP retirement pension. At age 70, you stop contributing even if you have not taken your retirement pension and are still working.
The Canada Pension Plan operates in every province and territory in Canada except Quebec, which has a similar program, the Quebec Pension Plan. If you work in the province of Quebec, you contribute to the Quebec Pension Plan .
15. How much will I get from the Canada Pension Plan?
The Canada Pension Plan offers three types of benefits:
- disability benefits (which include benefits for disabled contributors and their dependent children);
- survivor benefits (which include the death benefit, the survivor's pension and children's benefits); and
- a retirement pension.
The amount of these benefits depends on how much and for how long you have contributed to the Canada Pension Plan and Quebec Pension Plan, if applicable, in some cases, your age when you start receiving your benefit.
You must apply for all benefits in writing. You can print some of our application kits directly from this web site. If you think you may be eligible, it is important to apply as quickly as possible to ensure you don't miss out on any of the benefits to which you may be entitled.
16. I contributed to the Quebec Pension Plan while I worked in the Province of Quebec. How will that affect my pension?
Because of an agreement between the QPP and the CPP, the amount of any benefit you receive is calculated using all of your contributions to both Plans.
Which Plan you pay into (Canada Pension Plan or Quebec Pension Plan) depends on where you work, not where you live. If you work in the province of Quebec, you pay into the Quebec Pension Plan. If you work in any other province or territory in Canada, you pay into the Canada Pension Plan. Depending on where you have worked over the years, you may have paid into both Plans.
The two Plans are very similar but not identical. If you have paid into only one of the Plans, you apply to that Plan for your pension or benefits.
If you have contributed to both the Canada Pension Plan and the Quebec Pension Plan, you apply to the Quebec Pension Plan if you are living in Quebec at the time of your application, and to the Canada Pension Plan if you are living anywhere else in Canada.
Regardless of which Plan pays your benefit, the amount will be calculated according to your contributions to both Plans and the legislation of the Plan responsible for paying your benefit.
17. I have heard that the Canada Pension Plan is going broke. Is that true?
No. Steps were taken in 1998 to ensure the Canada Pension Plan's continued sustainability. Contributions were increased and a new investment policy was adopted. Contributions not required to pay benefits will be invested like other large pension plans.
The latest actuarial report on the financial state of the Canada Pension Plan, released in December 2001, confirms that the Plan is financially sound and will remain so for the next 75 years. Actuarial reports are released every three years. The next report is due in December 2004.