If You're Saving for Retirement · 🇨🇦 Canada

CPP Post-Retirement Benefit — Keep Growing CPP Even After You Start Taking It

Difficulty Easy Applies To All Provinces & Territories Last Updated 2026-04-03

CPP Post-Retirement Benefit — Keep Growing CPP Even After You Start Taking It

What Is It?

The CPP Post-Retirement Benefit (PRB) lets you keep building extra lifetime CPP income even after you have already started collecting your CPP retirement pension. If you work while receiving CPP and are under age 70, your contributions can generate a new PRB.

This is one of the most misunderstood parts of CPP. Starting your pension does not necessarily mean CPP growth is over.

How It Works

  • If you are 60 to 65 and working while receiving CPP, contributions are generally mandatory
  • If you are 65 to 70, you can generally choose whether to keep contributing
  • Each year of qualifying post-retirement contributions can generate a new PRB
  • Each PRB is added to your CPP retirement income for life

Service Canada says the new PRB is usually paid automatically the following year, with payments generally starting effective January 1 after the contribution year.

Why It Matters

  • It can increase lifetime income without a new application in the usual case
  • Even people already receiving the maximum core CPP retirement pension can still generate PRBs
  • Working after CPP start is often more valuable than people assume

Who Benefits Most?

People who started CPP early or at 65 and continue working, especially those evaluating whether to keep contributing between ages 65 and 70.

What Most People Don’t Know

  • CPP at 65 is not the end of the story. Continued work can still create more pension income.
  • Age 65 changes your flexibility. Between 65 and 70, you can elect to stop contributing using Form CPT30.
  • The choice affects future lifetime income. Opting out may increase current cash flow but gives up future PRBs.
  • Self-employed people effectively pay both sides. That changes the math and makes the choice more important.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I still increase CPP after I have already started taking it?


A: Yes. Post-retirement contributions can generate post-retirement benefits while you are under 70 and otherwise eligible.

Are contributions always mandatory?


A: They are generally mandatory from 60 to 65 if you are working and receiving CPP. From 65 to 70, you can usually elect to stop contributing.

How do I stop contributing after 65?


A: CRA uses Form CPT30 for the election to stop contributing, or to revoke a prior election.

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