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The retirement pension under the Québec Pension Plan
Calculation of your retirement pension

Calculation of your retirement pension under the Québec Pension Plan

Your retirement pension under the Québec Pension Plan (QPP) is calculated based on:

the employment earnings entered in your file under the QPP. Higher earnings will give you a higher pension;
the age at which you apply for your pension. If you apply for your pension before age 65, you will receive a lower pension for life. If you begin receiving it after age 65, it will be higher for life. It will stop increasing at age 72.

The employment earnings used for the calculation of your retirement pension are those you earned between the month during which you turned 18 and the end of the first of the following months:

the month before the first payment of your retirement pension;
the month of your 72th birthday.

Only your employment earnings that exceed $3500 per year are taken into account in the calculation. However, if you did not work for a year, this could lower the average used to calculate your pension. As of 2024, if you are working after age 65 and your earnings are lower, they will no longer lower the average earnings used to calculate your retirement pension.

If your earnings for the year are higher than the maximum pensionable earnings, the maximum will be used to calculate your pension.

The age at which you begin receiving your pension determines its amount for life. If you apply for your pension at age 65, it will replace 25% of the employment earnings used for the calculation of your pension. This rate will increase to 33% by 2065 with the addition of the additional plan.

Here are the pensions received each month by persons who applied for their pension to begin in 2022, based on their age when they filed their application.

Age	Adjustement factor ^{See note 1}	Average pension (per month)	Maximum pension ^{See note 2} (per month)
60	64 to 70%	$443	$802
61	71.2 to 76%	$578	$893
62	78.4 to 82%	$664	$983
63	85.6 to 88%	$735	$1073
64	92.8 to 94%	$750	$1163
65	100%	$759	$1254
66	108.4%	$869	$1359
67	116.8%	$934	$1464
68	125.2%	$981	$1566
69	133.6%	$1065	$1700

An adjustment factor applies to the pension amount. It varies based on a person's age and the expected amount of their pension. A person therefore receives a higher or lower pension based on the adjustment factor. Calculation of the retirement pension is different for persons who receive a disability pension. For more information, consult the Adjustment of the retirement pension for disabled persons page. Back to reference
The amounts apply to persons entitled to the maximum pension. These persons earned employment income high enough to contribute to the maximum pensionable earnings each year used to calculate their pension amount. Back to reference

To find out the maximum pension amounts in 2024, see the section on benefit amounts and key data for the QPP.

Which earnings are not used for the calculation of the retirement pension under the QPP?

We do not take into account the months during which you had no earnings while you were entitled to, as applicable:

a disability pension under the Québec Pension Plan or Canada Pension Plan;
an income replacement indemnity from the Commission des normes, de l'équité, de la santé et de la sécurité du travail (CNESST).
family benefits paid by the Québec government or the Canadian government for a child under 7. This period may extend until the end of the year during which the child turned 18. This is the case if you receive the Supplement for Handicapped Children Requiring Exceptional Care for the child.

In addition, if this benefits you, we do not take into account the months during which you earned lower employment earnings during the same periods.

We can also exclude up to 15% of your lowest employment earnings from the calculation of your pension.

Why are these earnings not used to calculate your pension?

Avoiding taking these earnings into account increases the average used to calculate your pension. Your retirement pension could therefore be higher. This measure could also allow you to receive certain benefits under the Québec Pension Plan or increase the amount.

Are you age 65 or over?

We no longer take into account of low or no work earnings that could lower the average used to calculate your pension. Therefore, you can stop working, reduce your work hours or choose a lower paying job without it affecting your pension when you decide to apply for it.

What you should know about the amount of your retirement pension

Did you choose to receive your pension after age 70?

You will receive higher payments in the fall of 2024, retroactive to 1 January 2024. In the meantime, your pension amount will be the same as if you had applied for it at age 70.

Here are some things you should know about the calculation of your pension:

If you begin receiving your pension after age 65, you can request a retroactive pension.
Your pension increases each year in January because it is readjusted according to the cost of living. It is readjusted the year following the first payment.
Your pension is taxable. It is therefore considered as income when calculating income tax. Tax deductions are not automatic. If you want, you can request for income tax deductions at the source.
You can reduce your income taxes by sharing your retirement pension with your spouse.
In the event of a divorce or separation, partition of the employment earnings entered under the QPP may be carried out. After partition, the calculation of the pension will be adjusted.

Consult your Statement of Participation under the QPP in My Account to find out the employment earning amounts entered in your file. This document also gives you an estimate of your retirement pension.

Have you carried out the financial planning for your retirement?

When you feel it is the right time for you, you will need to apply for a retirement pension. You will not receive it automatically.