Do QPP contributions stop at age 70? The rules around working retirees

Oct 23, 2025 4 min read •

Retirement Pensions Quebec Finance

As of January 1, 2024, the mandatory age to stop contributing to the Québec Pension Plan (QPP) is not 70, but rather the January 1 following your 72nd birthday. However, there is a crucial voluntary option that allows working retirees to cease QPP contributions at an earlier age, which depends on receiving a QPP or CPP retirement pension. This rule change adds a layer of complexity for those planning their retirement income.

Quick Summary

Mandatory QPP contributions end at age 73, though eligible working pensioners can elect to stop contributing voluntarily from age 65 up to the year they turn 72. Continuing to contribute after starting a pension earns a lifetime supplement, impacting cash flow and total retirement income.

Key Points

Age 73 is Mandatory End Date: QPP contributions automatically cease on January 1 of the year you turn 73, not age 70.
Optional Stop between 65 and 72: Working retirees aged 65 to 72 who are receiving a QPP or CPP pension can choose to stop contributing by submitting form RR-50-V.
Earn a Lifetime Supplement: If you continue contributing between ages 65 and 72, you receive a retirement pension supplement, which is a lifetime, indexed increase to your pension.
Impact on Take-Home Pay: Electing to stop contributions increases your immediate take-home pay, while continuing to contribute provides a higher, guaranteed income in the future.
Decision Reversal is Possible: You can reverse your election to stop contributing in a later year by submitting the revocation on form RR-50-V.

Mandatory cessation of QPP contributions

For all workers, QPP contributions automatically cease on January 1 of the year you turn 73. This applies regardless of your work status and whether or not you are already receiving a QPP retirement pension. For example, if your 73rd birthday is in December, you will stop contributing at the beginning of that year. This is the latest a worker is required to pay into the plan.

Voluntary cessation of QPP contributions between ages 65 and 72

For those aged 65 to 72 who are already receiving a QPP or Canada Pension Plan (CPP) retirement pension, an important choice becomes available. As of January 1, 2024, these working pensioners can elect to stop making QPP contributions. This decision is made by submitting a specific form (RR-50-V) to both their employer and Revenu Québec. This choice offers greater financial flexibility, as it increases a person's take-home pay by stopping both employee and employer contributions.

The retirement pension supplement

If a working retiree between 65 and 72 chooses to continue contributing, these payments are not for nothing. The extra contributions fund what is known as the retirement pension supplement. This supplement is a lifetime, indexed increase to your QPP retirement pension, and it is automatically added to your monthly pension payments starting the year after the contributions are made. For many, the option to increase their guaranteed, inflation-adjusted income stream for life is a compelling reason to keep contributing.

Comparison of contribution and benefit outcomes

To help working seniors make the best decision for their situation, it is useful to compare the two paths available from age 65 up to the mandatory cutoff age.


Feature	Elect to Stop Contributions (age 65-72)	Continue Contributing (age 65-72)
Action Required	Submit form RR-50-V to employer and Revenu Québec.	No action needed; contributions continue automatically.
Effect on Take-Home Pay	Increases take-home pay immediately by the amount of your QPP contribution.	No immediate change to take-home pay from pension; contributions continue to be deducted.
Impact on QPP Pension	Your monthly QPP pension remains at its current level.	Your monthly QPP pension increases with a lifetime retirement pension supplement.
Future Income Stream	Fixed income stream from the QPP (unless delayed past age 65), supplemented by personal savings or other income.	Increases the amount of your guaranteed, indexed QPP income for life.
Risk vs. Reward	Prioritizes current cash flow and personal investment control. Potentially forgoing a secure, inflation-adjusted income boost for life.	Sacrifices immediate cash flow for a guaranteed, lifetime pension increase. Longer life expectancy may favor this option.

How to elect to stop or restart contributions

If you are a working retiree aged 65 to 72 and want to stop contributing to the QPP, the process is straightforward but requires action on your part. You must complete and submit form RR-50-V, which is available on Revenu Québec's website. A copy must be given to your employer and the original sent to Revenu Québec. The change takes effect the month after your employer receives the form.

Reversing your decision

You can also change your mind and revoke the election to stop contributing. To do so, you must submit the same form (RR-50-V) again to your employer and Revenu Québec, indicating that you wish to restart contributions. Your contributions will resume the month following the one your employer receives the revocation form. However, if you stop contributing during the current year, you can only restart at the beginning of the following year.

QPP vs. CPP contribution rules

While similar, the Quebec Pension Plan has distinct rules for retirement-age contributions compared to the Canada Pension Plan (CPP).

QPP: Mandatory contributions end at age 73. Voluntary cessation is possible from age 65 if receiving a pension.
CPP: Mandatory contributions end at age 70. Voluntary cessation is possible from age 65 if receiving a pension.

Conclusion

While it is a common misconception that contributions cease at age 70, the definitive answer to "Do QPP contributions stop at age 70?" is no. For Quebec workers, the mandatory age to stop contributing to the QPP is 73. However, from age 65 to 72, eligible working pensioners have a choice: they can voluntarily elect to stop their contributions, or they can continue paying to increase their lifetime pension through the retirement pension supplement. The optimal decision depends on individual circumstances, priorities for current cash flow versus future guaranteed income, and personal longevity expectations.

Consulting a financial advisor can provide personalized guidance to help you navigate this decision within your broader retirement strategy, ensuring you make the choice that best aligns with your financial goals.

Frequently Asked Questions

Mandatory QPP contributions automatically end on January 1 of the year a worker turns 73. At that point, all contributions cease regardless of work status or pension receipt.

Yes, if you are a working retiree between the ages of 65 and 72 and are already receiving a QPP or CPP retirement pension, you can voluntarily elect to stop contributing by submitting form RR-50-V.

Continuing to contribute to the QPP after age 65 (and while receiving a pension) entitles you to a retirement pension supplement. This provides a lifetime, indexed increase to your pension benefit.

To elect to stop contributing, you must complete form RR-50-V and submit a copy to your employer and the original to Revenu Québec. The change takes effect the month after your employer receives the form.

Yes, once your election to stop contributing is processed, your employer's matching contributions to the QPP also cease.

Yes, you can revoke your election and restart contributions. You must submit form RR-50-V again, indicating the change. Contributions will resume the following month, though a revocation made in the current year only takes effect in the next calendar year.

The mandatory cessation age is different: QPP contributions end at age 73, while mandatory CPP contributions end at age 70.

References

Medical Disclaimer

This content is for informational purposes only and should not replace professional medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider regarding personal health decisions.