Canada Pension Plan - Contributions and Benefits

Contributions and Benefits

In 2012, the prescribed contribution rate is 4.95% of a salaried worker's gross employment income between $3,500 and $50,100, up to a maximum contribution of $2,306.70 . The employer matches the employee contribution, effectively doubling the contributions of the employee. If a worker is self-employed, he/she must pay both halves of the contribution. The rate of 4.95% has been in effect since 2003.

When the contributor reaches the normal retirement age (a reduced pension is available from age 60), the CPP provides regular pension benefit payments to the contributor, calculated as 25% of the average contributory maximum over the entire working life of a contributor (not just the last 5 years). There are provisions that enable the lower-earnings years in a contributor's contributory period to be dropped out due to disability, child rearing, or other reasons. CPP benefit payments are taxable as ordinary income. The CPP also provides disability pensions to eligible workers who become disabled in a severe and prolonged fashion, and survivor benefits to survivors of workers who die before they begin receiving retirement benefits. If an application for disability pension is denied, an appeal can be made for reconsideration, and then to the Canada Pension Plan / Old Age Security Review Tribunals or Pension Appeals Boards (POA).