3 Canada Pension Benefits You and Your Executor Should Know About
As far as the Canadian Government is concerned, there are two important dates in our lives: our birth date and our date of death. Although we may not want to think about our own mortality – eventually this is going to happen so ensuring your personal papers are in order and readily accessible is highly recommended. Here are 3 Canada Pension Benefits that your executor should know about.
1. Canada Pension Plan Death Benefit
One of the things your executor needs to do is to apply to Service Canada for the Canadian Pension Plan Death benefit. The current maximum is $2,500.00 and is payable to the estate of the deceased contributor. To apply for this benefit, your executor must provide the following:
- The deceased’s SIN number
- Date and place of birth
- Date of death, and
- A copy of the funeral director’s death certificate.
2. Canada Pension Plan Survivor’s Benefit
- The deceased’s SIN number
- Date and place of birth
- Date of death, and
- A copy of the funeral director’s death certificate.
A copy of the marriage certificate must be enclosed with the Funeral Director’s Proof of Death. If the Marriage Certificate can not be located, then a Statutory Declaration of Legal Marriage must be completed and sworn by a Commissioner of Oaths. There is a similar form for common law or same sex relationships. For information and access to the forms online, please click here.
3. Canada Pension Plan Child(ren)’s Benefit
A third application is the Canadian Pension Plan – Child(ren)’s Benefits, if applicable. The spouse of the deceased contributor, or the legal Guardian of minor children may apply for these benefits and must apply for potential benefits.
The requirements for the Children’s Benefits, if the children of the deceased contributor are under 18 years of age, are the following:
- Child’s full legal name
- SIN
- Date of birth and,
- If there are separate care and custody issues, a letter of explanation to support this situation.
The requirements for the Child(ren)’s Benefits, if the children of the deceased contributor are between 18 and 25 years of age and attending school, college or university full time are the following:
- Child’s full legal name
- SIN
- Date of birth
- Mailing address and, if there are separate care and custody issues, a letter of explanation to support this situation.
It is important to note that this benefit must be applied for annually with Service Canada and will not be automatically renewed, as documents supporting full-time attendance at an approved institution must be submitted with the application. There is a similar form for common law or same sex relationships. For information and access to the forms online, please click here.
The bottom line – create a Gratitude File and include your personal information in this file. In my next blog post, I will discuss what documentation should be included in the Gratitude File and why.
I’d love your feedback. Here on this blog, you’ll get commentluv. This is a great opportunity to leave a link back to your own blog when you leave a comment.
Because your legacy matters…
Kat
I have been searching for a number to call to inquire about a death benefit that was locked in the courts for my son when his father passed away in February of 1999. Who do I contact for information on this?
We are from waubaushene Ontario
Thank you Mary for your question and there are several things I would need to know in order to direct you appropriately. The way I read this is that your son’s father was your husband – is this correct?
Were you still married at the time of his death in 1999?
Why has the money been locked in the court system?
Is someone contesting the will or was there no will?
How old was your son in 1999? I am asking this question because if he was under 18 years of age there is a child benefit that can be applied for him through CPP. Additionally if he was between 18 – 25 years and attending a post-secondary education program full-time, than the child benefit is paid up to age 25 with annual submission and proof of full-time post-secondary educational program attendance.
To contact CPP you can go on line to http://www.servicecanada.gc.ca or call 1-800-277-9914 English or any Service Canada office in your area.
I hope this helps you and please let me know the outcome of your scenario and my inquiries.
Kindest Regards, Kat