A Reference Guide - Old Age Security and Canada Pension Plan
International Social Security Agreements
International social security agreements coordinate the OAS and CPP programs with the social security programs of other countries for the benefit of citizens of the participating countries.
Old Age Security
The Old Age Security Act permits the inclusion of the OAS program in social security agreements. These agreements allow periods of residence and/or periods of contributions in the other country to be counted as periods of residence in Canada for eligibility purposes. This may help applicants satisfy the minimum eligibility requirements for OAS benefits. For example, someone who has resided in Canada for less than the 10 years required to receive a partial OAS pension in Canada would be able to use periods of residence and/or periods of contributions in the other country to meet the residence requirement. A similar provision would apply for someone who has resided in Canada for less than the 20 years needed to receive an OAS pension outside the country. Some restrictions may apply under some agreements.
Once eligibility for the OAS pension has been established, the amount of the OAS pension payable is equal to 1/40 of a full OAS pension for each year of actual residence in Canada after reaching 18.
Canada Pension Plan
Social security agreements may also help people to qualify for disability, survivor, children's, and death benefits under the CPP. As noted earlier, these benefits have minimum qualifying requirements. Social security agreements allow periods of residence and/or contribution to the other country's social security system to be added to periods of contribution to the CPP to help the applicant meet eligibility conditions. Once eligibility has been established, the amount of the benefit is based on actual contributions to the CPP.
Social Security Programs Of Another Country
In many countries, nationality is an important factor in determining eligibility for social security benefits. Non-citizens may be required to meet special conditions before they can receive a pension, and the payment of benefits to non-citizens living abroad may be restricted or even prohibited. These social security agreements also allow Canadians who now live in other countries to qualify for social security benefits from these countries as a result of contributions or residency requirements they satisfied while still living in Canada.
Provincial Social Security Programs
Canada's social security agreements contain a provision that allows provinces to conclude understandings with other countries concerning social security programs under their jurisdiction (for example, the QPP or Workers' Compensation plans).
