How long can you stay outside of Canada without losing your pension?

Oct 27, 2025 3 min read •

Pensions International Living Canadian Retirement

Canadians living or retiring abroad need to understand the residency rules for their pensions to avoid losing benefits. The length of time you can stay outside Canada without it affecting your pension varies significantly depending on whether you are receiving the Canada Pension Plan (CPP), Old Age Security (OAS), or the Guaranteed Income Supplement (GIS).

Quick Summary

The ability to receive Canadian pension benefits while outside the country depends on the specific program. CPP is portable and not affected by residency, while OAS may stop after six months unless you have lived in Canada for at least 20 years after age 18. GIS payments always stop after six months abroad. Different eligibility and tax rules apply to non-residents.

Key Points

CPP is fully portable: You can receive your Canada Pension Plan payments anywhere in the world once you are eligible, regardless of how long you stay outside of Canada.
OAS requires 20 years of residency for non-residents: To continue receiving your Old Age Security pension outside of Canada, you must have lived in Canada for at least 20 years after age 18.
OAS payments stop after six months without eligibility: If you don't meet the 20-year residency rule for OAS, your payments will stop if you are out of the country for more than six months.
GIS payments stop after six months: The Guaranteed Income Supplement is a resident-only benefit and ceases entirely if you are outside of Canada for more than six months.
International social security agreements can help: For those who have lived or worked in both Canada and a partner country, a social security agreement may help you qualify for benefits by combining residency or contribution periods.
Non-resident tax is often applied: A 25% non-resident withholding tax may be deducted from your pension payments, although this can be reduced if Canada has a tax treaty with your country of residence.
Notify Service Canada: It is crucial to inform Service Canada of your move to a foreign address to ensure payments are directed properly and to avoid overpayments.

Canadian Pension Portability for Non-Residents

Many Canadians dream of retiring abroad or simply spending an extended period of time outside the country. A major concern is how this will impact their public pension benefits. The rules governing the portability of Canadian pensions—namely the Canada Pension Plan (CPP), Old Age Security (OAS), and the Guaranteed Income Supplement (GIS)—are not uniform and depend heavily on your residency status and history. Understanding these distinctions is crucial for proper financial planning when leaving Canada for an extended period.

Canada Pension Plan (CPP) for Non-Residents

The Canada Pension Plan (CPP) is a contributory program based on contributions made during working years in Canada. Once approved, CPP payments can be received anywhere in the world, provided Service Canada has updated address and banking information.

Old Age Security (OAS) and Non-Residency

OAS is a non-contributory benefit based on Canadian residency, not work history. To receive OAS while living abroad, you must have resided in Canada for at least 20 years after age 18. If this requirement isn't met, OAS payments stop after more than six consecutive months outside Canada and resume upon return. This six-month limit is monitored by Service Canada in coordination with the Canada Border Services Agency.

Guaranteed Income Supplement (GIS) Abroad

The Guaranteed Income Supplement (GIS) is an additional payment for low-income OAS recipients living in Canada. It is not portable, and payments cease if you leave Canada for over six months. Returning to Canada requires contacting Service Canada for payment reassessment based on income and residency.

Impact of Social Security Agreements

Canada has social security agreements with over 50 countries to coordinate pension programs for individuals who have lived or worked in both Canada and a partner country. These agreements can help meet eligibility for Canadian or foreign pensions by combining residency or contribution periods. Reviewing specific agreement terms is essential for those living in partner countries.

Key Considerations for Canadian Pensioners Living Abroad

Income Tax: Non-residents may face a 25% non-resident tax on Canadian pension income, potentially reduced by a tax treaty. Filing Form NR5 may be necessary for a reduction.
Health Coverage: Most provincial health plans require physical presence for at least 182 days annually. Extended periods abroad could lead to losing provincial health coverage.
Financial Planning: Consulting a financial advisor knowledgeable in Canadian and international tax laws is recommended before moving abroad to understand the interaction of pension income, savings, and tax rules.

Comparison of Canadian Pension Rules for Living Abroad


Feature	Canada Pension Plan (CPP)	Old Age Security (OAS)	Guaranteed Income Supplement (GIS)
Portability	Fully portable.	Conditional; 20 years residency after 18 required for receiving abroad.	Not portable; stops after six months abroad.
Eligibility Basis	Contributory; based on contributions.	Non-contributory; based on residency.	Non-contributory; for low-income OAS recipients in Canada.
Residency Requirement	No Canadian residency requirement once eligible.	20 years residency after 18 to receive abroad.	Must reside in Canada; ceases after six months abroad.
Social Security Agreements	Can combine contribution periods.	Can combine residency periods to meet 20-year threshold.	Not applicable.
International Taxation	Subject to non-resident withholding tax unless treaty provides exemption.	Subject to non-resident withholding tax unless treaty provides exemption.	Not applicable, as benefit ceases when living abroad.

Conclusion

Understanding the rules for each pension benefit is crucial for Canadians living outside the country. CPP is portable and continues as long as eligibility is maintained and Service Canada is informed of your address. OAS requires 20 years of residency after age 18 to be received outside Canada; otherwise, payments stop after six months. GIS is a resident-only benefit and ceases after six months abroad. Reviewing individual circumstances, including social security agreements, is essential for Canadians planning extended time abroad. For detailed information, consult the Government of Canada's website.

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, if you are eligible for CPP, you can receive your payments regardless of where you live. Since it is a contributory plan based on your past earnings, your residency does not affect your entitlement once you qualify.

The main difference is that CPP is fully portable and not affected by where you live. OAS, on the other hand, has specific residency requirements; to receive it permanently outside of Canada, you must have lived in the country for at least 20 years after age 18.

If you have less than 20 years of residency after age 18, your OAS payments will stop if you are outside of Canada for more than six consecutive months. They will restart upon your return.

Yes, GIS payments are only for residents of Canada. If you leave the country for more than six months, your GIS will be cancelled.

Yes, Canada has agreements with over 50 countries. These can help coordinate pension benefits and may allow you to combine residency or contribution periods to qualify for a pension.

Yes, your pension income as a non-resident is typically subject to a 25% non-resident withholding tax. This rate can be lower or exempt if Canada has a tax treaty with your country of residence, and you may need to file a Form NR5.

You must contact Service Canada directly to inform them of your relocation to a foreign address and update your banking information. For many international addresses, you may need to contact them by phone or mail, as online changes are not always available.

Yes, most provinces require you to reside in Canada for a minimum period each year, typically 182 days, to maintain health coverage. You may lose your coverage if you are away for too long.

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.