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CPP 2026 brought a 2.0% increase to pensions already being paid and higher contribution ceilings for workers. The next payment lands on September 25.
Here are the official dates and amounts, what changed from 2025 and how to get the most from your pension.
Key takeaways
- CPP and Old Age Security (OAS) are paid on the same day each month.
- The maximum is not guaranteed. Your amount depends on your contributions, your earnings and the age you start.
- Employees pay 5.95% on earnings between $3,500 and $74,600, plus 4.00% on earnings between $74,600 and $85,000.
- You must apply for CPP. Most people are enrolled automatically for OAS.
CPP 2026 amounts
| Item | 2026 figure |
|---|---|
| Maximum pension at 65 (January 2026) | $1,507.65/month |
| Average new pension at 65 (April 2026) | $877.01/month |
| Increase to pensions in pay | +2.0% |
| Maximum earnings (YMPE) | $74,600 |
| Second earnings ceiling (YAMPE) | $85,000 |
| Maximum employee contribution | $4,230.45 + $416.00 (CPP2) |
As of September 2026, from Canada.ca and the Canada Revenue Agency. Self-employed people pay both halves: up to $8,460.90 plus $832.00.
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CPP payment dates 2026
| Month | Payment date |
|---|---|
| January | January 28 |
| February | February 25 |
| March | March 27 |
| April | April 28 |
| May | May 27 |
| June | June 26 |
| July | July 29 |
| August | August 27 |
| September | September 25 |
| October | October 28 |
| November | November 26 |
| December | December 22 |
Source: Canada.ca benefits payment dates. Service Canada asks you to wait 5 to 10 business days before contacting it about a late payment.
What changed vs last year
- Higher maximum: the top pension at 65 went from $1,433.00 in January 2025 to $1,507.65 in January 2026.
- Smaller indexation: pensions in pay rose 2.0% for 2026, after 2.6% the year before.
- Higher ceilings: the YMPE rose from $71,300 to $74,600, and the YAMPE from $81,200 to $85,000.
- Bigger contributions: the maximum base employee contribution rose from $4,034.10 to $4,230.45, per the CRA contribution table.
How to get the most from CPP
Timing is the biggest lever. Under the CPP rules, you can start between 60 and 70:
- Before 65: your pension drops 0.6% for each month, up to 36% less at 60.
- After 65: it rises 0.7% for each month, up to 42% more at 70. There is no gain from waiting past 70.
Starting early can make sense if you need the income now or have health concerns. Waiting suits people in good health with other income, such as RRSP savings; our guide to RRSP deadlines and limits for 2026 explains how the two fit. For a wider plan, see how much you really need to retire in Canada.
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Other rules can raise your amount. The CPP drops up to 8 of your lowest-earning years from the base calculation. The child-rearing provision can protect years spent at home with young children; parents can pair that with our guide to the Canada Child Benefit in 2026. If you work while receiving CPP before 70, your contributions earn a post-retirement benefit the next year.
How to apply and receive CPP
- Check your estimate and statement of contributions in My Service Canada Account.
- Pick a start date. You can apply up to 12 months before it.
- Have your Social Insurance Number and your bank’s branch and account numbers ready.
- Apply online through My Service Canada Account. People living outside Canada must use a paper form.
For OAS, Service Canada sends an enrolment letter around your 64th birthday if it already has your information. If a month passes after that birthday with no letter, contact Service Canada. The maximum OAS pension for July to September 2026 is $751.97 a month at 65 to 74 and $827.17 at 75 and over, and it rises another 1.4% in October.
How we checked
- Checked: every amount and date on September 23, 2026, on Canada.ca only.
- Order: no ranking; programs appear in the order you use them.
- Independence: this site is not the government and never charges to apply. Applying for CPP and OAS is free. No one paid for placement.
FAQ
What is the maximum CPP payment in 2026?
$1,507.65 a month for a new pension starting at 65 in January 2026. The average new pension at 65 was $877.01 in April 2026.
What is the CPP maximum contribution for 2026?
Employees pay up to $4,230.45 on earnings up to $74,600, plus up to $416.00 of second additional contributions (CPP2). Employers match both.
When is the next CPP payment?
September 25, 2026, followed by October 28, November 26 and December 22.
Did CPP increase in 2026?
Yes. Pensions already in pay rose 2.0% in January 2026.
Should I take CPP at 60 or wait?
It depends on your health, other income and needs. Starting at 60 cuts the pension by up to 36%; waiting to 70 raises it by up to 42%.
Government benefits attract scammers. Service Canada never asks for your password by email or text; see our guide to fraud and scams in Canada. For the full picture, see our hub Best Savings Accounts in Canada 2026, our list of the best high-interest savings accounts in Canada and our roundup of bank account promotions in Canada.
Sources
- Canada.ca — Benefits payment dates
- Canada.ca — CPP: How much you could receive
- ESDC — Maximum benefit amounts, CPP 2026 and OAS January to March 2026
- ESDC — Maximum benefit amounts, CPP 2025
- CRA — CPP contribution rates, maximums and exemptions
- Canada.ca — When to start your CPP retirement pension
- Canada.ca — Apply for the CPP retirement pension
- Canada.ca — Old Age Security payment amounts
- Canada.ca — OAS: Apply, delay or change your start date
- Canada.ca — My Service Canada Account
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