CPP at 60, 65 or 70: the trade-off

Updated October 17, 2026 · 2026 CPP rules

You can start CPP any time from 60 to 70. It is 0.6% lower for each month before 65 (36% less at 60) and 0.7% higher for each month after 65 (42% more at 70). The change is permanent.

CPP start-age calculator

Your CPP at 65, per monthFrom your My Service Canada Account. The average new pension at 65 was $858.34 (July 2026); the 2026 maximum is $1,507.65.

Break-even ages

Counting payments only, in today's dollars and ignoring tax and investment returns:

Starting at 60 instead of 65 comes out ahead in total until about age 74; after that, starting at 65 has paid more.
Starting at 70 instead of 65 catches up in total at about age 82, and pays more every year after.

CPP is indexed to inflation, so these ages hold in today's dollars. Taxes, GIS, the OAS clawback, investment returns on savings you would draw instead, health and a spouse's survivor benefit can all move the answer, which is why there is no single best age.

Compare CPP start ages in your whole plan. RetirePay Canada combines CPP, OAS, GIS, RRSP, TFSA and other savings to estimate the monthly income your plan could support, after tax and in today's dollars.

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Sources

CPP payment amounts

General information, not financial, tax or legal advice. Amounts are rounded estimates; Service Canada and the Canada Revenue Agency determine actual payments. RetirePay Canada is independent and not affiliated with the Government of Canada.