The maximum CPP retirement pension for someone who starts it at 65 in January 2026 is $1,507.65 a month. Few people receive it: the average new retirement pension was $858.34 a month in July 2026. This page gives the maximum for every CPP benefit, explains the gap between the maximum and the average, and what it takes to reach the maximum. It is part of the Canada Pension Plan hub.
The maximum retirement pension
| Pension starting in January 2026 | Monthly | Yearly |
|---|---|---|
| At 65 | $1,507.65 | $18,091.80 |
| At 60 (−36%) | $964.90 | $11,578.80 |
| At 70 (+42%) | $2,140.86 | $25,690.32 |
Source: ESDC, CPP maximum monthly amounts. The amounts for other start ages are in CPP at 60 vs 65 vs 70.
Because the CPP enhancement is still being phased in, the maximum for a new pension rises a little each month: $1,524.78 for a pension starting at 65 in December 2026. The maximum is one pension that already includes what the enhancement has built up so far, not a base pension with CPP2 added on top. Once a pension starts, it rises with inflation each January.
The maximum for each CPP benefit
| Benefit | Maximum |
|---|---|
| Retirement pension at 65 (starting in January) | $1,507.65 a month |
| Post-retirement benefit, for one year of contributions | $54.69 a month |
| Disability benefit (starting in January) | $1,741.20 a month |
| Survivor’s pension, survivor under 65 (starting in January) | $803.54 a month |
| Survivor’s pension, survivor 65 or older (starting in January) | $904.59 a month |
| Children’s benefit, per child | $307.81 a month |
| Death benefit | $2,500, with a top-up to $5,000 in some cases |
Source: ESDC, CPP maximum monthly amounts.
The disability maximum is higher than the retirement maximum because the disability benefit adds a fixed amount to an earnings-related part.
Why most pensions are below the maximum
The average new retirement pension, $858.34 in July 2026, is about 57% of the maximum. The pension depends on your earnings each year up to the maximum pensionable earnings (the YMPE, $74,600 in 2026), so years of study, part-time work, time out of work, or earnings below the YMPE lower it. So does starting before 65. Why your CPP may be less than you expected explains the calculation.
What it takes to reach the maximum
To receive the maximum retirement pension, you need to have contributed the maximum for about 39 years, which means earning at least the YMPE in each of those years, and to start the pension at 65. The contributory period from 18 to 65 is 47 years; up to 8 of your lowest-earning years are left out of the base part of the pension, which is why about 39 years at the maximum are enough. The enhanced part, built only since 2019, is averaged over your best 40 years, so for someone retiring now every year since 2019 counts: the maximum also needs maximum contributions in each of those years, including CPP2 on earnings up to the second ceiling (the YAMPE) since 2024. Periods caring for a young child or receiving the CPP disability benefit can also be left out.
Your own record and Service Canada’s estimate of your pension are in My Service Canada Account (your Statement of Contributions); the CPP calculator turns that estimate into amounts at each start age. For the maximum Old Age Security and GIS, see the maximum OAS payment and maximum GIS payment.
Sources
The figures and rules on this page come from these sources, last checked against them between September 5, 2026 and September 30, 2026. How we check facts.
- Canada Revenue Agency: CPP contribution rates, maximums and exemptions
- Government of Canada: CPP: When to start your retirement pension
- Government of Canada: Canada Pension Plan (CPP)
- Government of Canada: Statistics on CPP monthly maximum amounts for new benefits (open data)
- Government of Canada: Canada Pension Plan – Monthly payment amounts
- Government of Canada: Canada Pension Plan retirement pension