CPP Start Age Calculator
Calculate the permanent impact on your monthly 2026 pension by starting CPP early or late.
Last updated: April 2026
The CPP Start Age Rules
The standard age to start receiving the Canada Pension Plan (CPP) is 65. However, you can start as early as age 60 or as late as age 70.
Taking it early: Your monthly payment is reduced by 0.6% for each month before age 65 (up to a 36% permanent reduction).
Taking it late: Your monthly payment is increased by 0.7% for each month after age 65 (up to a 42% permanent increase).
How to use this calculator
- 1Check Statement — Get your estimated amount at age 65 from your Service Canada account statement.
- 2Adjust Target Age — Move the slider to see how your monthly income changes for every year you wait.
- 3View Comparison — The chart shows the permanent monthly amounts for the major age milestones.
Formula & example
Adjustment = (Months from 65) × (0.6% or 0.7%)
If your benefit at 65 is $1,000/month, taking it at 60 reduces it to $640/month. Waiting until 70 increases it to $1,420/month.
Benefits
Lifelong Security
The CPP is a guaranteed, inflation-indexed pension for the rest of your life.
Longevity Insurance
Delaying to 70 provides a much larger inflation-protected baseline for your later years.
Flexibility
Taking it early can provide vital cash flow for earlier semi-retirement.
Use cases
Retirement Planning
Determine if your other savings (RRSP/TFSA) can 'bridge' the gap until you start CPP at 70.
Health Considerations
If you have a shorter life expectancy, starting early at 60 is often the logical choice.
Frequently asked questions
Is this amount indexed to inflation?+
Yes. Every January, your CPP payment is adjusted upward based on the Consumer Price Index (CPI).
Does this include the Quebec Pension Plan (QPP)?+
The rules for the QPP are very similar to the CPP, so this calculator provides a close estimate for Quebec residents as well.