The Canada Pension Plan (CPP) gives eligible contributors a range of ages for beginning their retirement pension rather than requiring everyone to start at the same age. You can collect CPP as early as age 60. Age 65 is the standard starting age, while CPP can be delayed as late as age 70. To qualify for the CPP retirement pension, you must be at least 60 years old and have made at least one valid CPP contribution.
The Earliest Age to Collect CPP Is 60
You become old enough for the CPP retirement pension at age 60. However, reaching 60 by itself is not enough. You must also have at least one valid CPP contribution, either from work in Canada or from CPP credits received from a spouse or common-law partner after a divorce or separation.
There is no requirement to stop working before you qualify. You can continue working while receiving CPP, so employment and retirement do not determine whether you have reached the minimum CPP age. The contribution requirements are covered separately in who is eligible for CPP.
What Happens at Ages 65 and 70?
Age 65 is the standard CPP starting age, not a deadline. An eligible person who has not started CPP by then can still apply later.
Age 70 matters because there is no additional financial benefit from delaying CPP beyond 70. CPP can therefore be understood as having three key age points: eligibility begins at 60, 65 is the standard starting age, and increases for delaying end at 70.
CPP and Old Age Security (OAS) also have different age rules. CPP can begin at 60, whereas the earliest age for OAS is 65. Receiving one does not require you to start the other at the same time.
Do You Have to Apply When You Reach the Eligible Age?
Reaching an eligible age does not generally mean CPP payments immediately begin. You normally need to apply for the CPP retirement pension and select a start date.
One important exception applies to people receiving CPP disability benefits. At age 65, a CPP disability benefit automatically changes to a CPP retirement pension.
Once you are eligible and ready to begin receiving the pension, you can move on to how to apply for CPP and the documents required for the application.
What Happens If You Start CPP Before Age 65?
Starting CPP before age 65 permanently reduces your monthly retirement pension. For pensions beginning in 2026, the reduction is 0.6% for each month before age 65, equal to 7.2% for each full year. Starting at age 60 produces the maximum early-start reduction of 36%.
For example, if your calculated CPP pension at age 65 would be $1,000 per month, starting exactly at age 60 would reduce it by 36% to $640 per month. The reduction continues for as long as you receive the pension. You can read more about taking CPP early and how it affects your pension and the CPP early retirement reduction.
