Conditions of payment

Beginning of a retirement pension

Before age 65, the retirement pension cannot be paid until the latest of the following times:  

• the month after the 60th birthday
• the month after the Régie receives a pension application
• the month after a person stopped working, or the month after the date on which the Régie considers that he or she stopped working

• The retirement pension, whether reduced or increased because of age, will remain so for as long as the pension is being paid.
• The retirement pension is adjusted in January each year to reflect changes in the cost of living.
• The retirement pension is paid on the last working day of the month. See the payment dates. 

Retroactive pension payment  

A retroactive retirement pension can cover a maximum of 60 months (5 years) and cannot begin before the 65th birthday.

• If a person is between age 65 and 70 and is still working, payment of the pension will start in the month following the date on which we receive the application.
• If a person is over age 65 and has stopped working, he or she can receive a retroactive retirement pension. However, the maximum retroactive period is 60 months and it cannot begin before the 65th birthday.
• If a person is over age 70 and is still working, he or she can receive a retroactive retirement pension as from the month following the 70th birthday. A retroactive retirement pension cannot cover more than 60 months.

How often are payments made?

A retirement pension is paid either by cheque or by direct deposit, on the last working day of the month.

Direct deposit - A safe and advantageous option for those who live outside Canada

In some cases, a pension can be paid by direct deposit in the currency of the country of residence. This method of payment is safe and eliminates transaction fees for cashing cheques in Canadian dollars or other currencies.

Payment dates

The retirement pension is paid on the last working day of the month. See the payment dates for retirement pensions.