Thousands of Canadians missing out on pension benefits
While it’s not Greece, Canada is still fairly comfortable place to retire.
A working couple who is retiring today at age 65 after earning the average industrial wage throughout their careers will receive a combined annual Canada Pension Plan and Old Age Security pension of about $36,000, indexed for life.
That’s a significant amount of retirement income – which makes you wonder why so many people never get around to collecting so much of it, says consumer advocate Richard Shillington.
*Bing: Where to find government benefits
Here are some startling statistics from a research paper he authored commissioned by the Task Force on Financial Literacy:
- 160,000 seniors are not getting the OAS benefit they’re entitled to receive (representing almost $1 billion in lost pre-tax income);
- 150,000 seniors are not getting the Guaranteed Income Supplement benefit even though they qualify; and
- 55,000 Canadians are not getting the CPP benefit they’d actually paid into.
Shillington also suggests that a significant number of others are getting less than they should from these programs, largely because they don't know the rules.
Taxpayers have to apply for these benefits, which are not paid automatically as soon as you become eligible for them.
Moreover, if you apply too late, you won’t get all the benefits you missed. Retroactive payments are limited to 11 months for OAS, GIS and CPP under federal law.
Shillington believes the federal government should do more to ensure everyone is getting his or her fair share but that would be an expensive exercise.
Do you know anybody who's been missing out? Where they eventually able to set things right?
By Gordon Powers, MSN Money
Posted by: Keith | Nov 15, 2021 1:37:21 AM
My dad had an impossible time getting his cpp disability. He applied twice for it and both times got denied, even thou they had all the information they needed. They finally approved him after mysteriously recieving back pictures of his angiogram within his last application. This type of treatment by our government isn't unheard of. This article is bias to the fact that all this money not being collected is a result of shady tactical government influence. The bottom line is that it's the governments responsibility to regulate the system and the numbers here are proof that there is no governing in accordance. Shouldn't they have some of these so called government workers issue out specified notices to senoirs of their eligibilities. The way I see it, cpp is an enforced investment. They take our savings and invest it as they wish then over spend the extra earnings without any moral regard. I Think More Canadians should ask where they're really investing their savings 0_0 .
Posted by: Clear & Focused | Nov 15, 2021 6:57:40 AM
I wonder how much of CPP will be left when I retire in 30 years (or 50 years, or 100 years depending on how many times they increase the retirement age between now and then)? (Sarcasm, I already know).
I think the only thing my generation has to look forward to, is an giant asteroid striking the earth.
Posted by: Rob | Nov 15, 2021 7:59:13 AM
Research, that is what you have to do. Start doing your research about a year and a half before you are ready to retire. You have to educate yourself on the subject because the one thing that I have learned in this country is you can not trust the goverment to help the little guy. Oh ya we have all these programs and safety nets in this country that look great on papper, but just try and collect on them. Remember when the goverment took the so called exsess money out of the unemployment insurance fund that was to go to the unemployed and put it into general revenue. If I remember correctly I beleive it was around 29 billion dollars. Then they lowered the payout to the unemployed from 66and 2/3rds % of your wage to 55%. Only in Canada.
Posted by: Ruth | Nov 15, 2021 8:38:03 AM
My mom researched before my dad retired a few years so for she had heard or read an article that if a person never received unemployment benefits for their whole working life then that person was entitled to a bonus of types upon retiring .. she filed for this and he received that added bonus .. nice .. I wonder how many people never apply for that one ?
Posted by: vico | Nov 15, 2021 8:51:21 AM
Those benifits we`re entitled to should kick in the day we`re entitled to them....we don`t sign up for those deductions b/c they have all our info so whats their problem ?
@ C&F actuaries have the CPP solvent for 70 yrs... thats as far into the future they can go...plan to retire... the money will be there but with inflation it just wont cover all expenses
Posted by: Pat | Nov 15, 2021 10:52:22 AM
My father-in-law was advised by the person helping him fill out his income tax forms that it 'wouldn't be worth it" to collect CPP. He had a career in the navy, and worked until close to age 60 when he stopped working. At age 80, he became incompetent and the family contacted CPP - he only received the 11 months of back benefits and, of course, continued for just a few months until his death. I think notification of eligibility for benefits should be linked to the income tax system. They know his age and his situation, and could include it on the notice of assessment so that a person doesn't miss out on benefits. He missed out on close to 1/4 of a million $$ in benefits, all because of bad advice. He paid into it and should have been able to collect what he missed out on.
Posted by: Long Ago | Nov 15, 2021 12:30:44 PM
Government pensions (only) should not be taxable and yes they should be automatic in implementation as the Government has all the info. Only submission should be for CPP for early take out
Posted by: Noel Foley | Nov 15, 2021 3:08:41 PM
Where do you find information on appling for the bonus if a person never received unemployment benefits for their whole working life .
Posted by: Paul Johnston | Nov 15, 2021 3:42:36 PM
Did you know that when a couple get divorced, the CPP of each is added together then split evenly. that's fair ok. But did you also know that when your ex spouse dies, you don't get back the split pension!! the government continues to only pay you half the CPP.. Now that is stealing in my book. For shame Pensions Canada
Posted by: w | Nov 15, 2021 3:48:55 PM
Many Canadians who have spent their entire lives here working are being shafted by the government in favour of a new immigrant policy that favours the thoughts that a new immigrant will receive $16,000 more than someone who has contributed since they left school at 18 and have spent whatever they had to give to this country.All for the sake of votes.It started with Trudeau,whom we all know how much he contributed during the war years.
Posted by: jan | Nov 15, 2021 4:00:42 PM
I checked with my accountant regarding the post from Ruth... he had never heard of it..does she have any more details
Posted by: w | Nov 15, 2021 4:03:40 PM
I believe what this person says about the naval career.Why should he be compensated farther?He made his lifes work contributing to this country,and allowing those criminals who have escaped from overseas ,enter this country under the watchful eye of the Canadian Border Security to live free as a bird,collecting welfare and other social assistance .Its only the part of why Canada is getting that much closer to third world status.And he spent his working life in the navy.Why didn't he just apply for immigrant status?I know there are many who came here ,and I know some,and I give them full credit,they have come to start a new life and have proven successful,but;on other hand,there are those who are here for the wonderful handouts that Canada has to offer.This persons family should be given the back pay that this individual has,or I mean ,what this country owes him for what he has contributed .Starting when he was 60.
Posted by: Upset | Nov 15, 2021 5:42:24 PM
For the people born here like me these ongoing revelations about how the feds keep screwing us over is getting to be more than old.We pay these asses to be civil servants and get no service when we need it at all.How much work do we have to do.Isn't it enough that our tax dollars pay these free loaders wages,benefits, and pensions while they produce nothing towards an already suffering economy and then the working stiff has to do all this legwork to get the money they worked for and are entitled to?What a bunch of bull.I wonder how they would like to try to live on these benefits.But you can't ask them because they're all laying on beaches somewhere smiling thinking about how they screwed people back home to be there.How many wasted votes does it take to get these wastes of skin out of office?
Posted by: fedupwiththefeds | Nov 15, 2021 6:06:02 PM
All I can say is: *%#*^$%@%#^$&&%#^@!!!!#*$(($&^$^#&*@(($(((!!!!%#$^ government.
Posted by: Canuckguy | Nov 15, 2021 6:49:46 PM
I know an aquaintance who failed to apply for OAS until she was 70(so only 1 yr retroactive). I found out after the fact. She was not the brightest but you would think her family would have picked up this considering they did her income tax. Some people are just plain dumb.
Posted by: June P | Nov 15, 2021 7:08:51 PM
I remember ( re posting Ruth or Jan,) there used to be a 3 week pay out of UIC as it was called. I think my co-workers who retired in the 70- 80s got it , but it was no longer available to me in 2003. Also Canada pension had a death benefit payout of 3,500 in earlier years but today when cost are higher it is long since reduced to 2,500.oo
Posted by: vico | Nov 15, 2021 7:36:45 PM
@ June P ...yes.. that was changed (eliminated ) probably after they took the surplus away and changed from UIC to EI .
Posted by: Ian | Nov 15, 2021 7:56:35 PM
My brothers wife died some time ago and he was getting widows pension monthly and still is to my knowledge. Another mystery pension to think about.
Posted by: Don't be fooled | Nov 16, 2021 5:50:28 AM
@Noel Foley. Sorry Bud. That does not exist. Bad Info from Ruth
Posted by: Canada pension plan fan | Nov 16, 2021 5:02:49 PM
I have a couple friends in Canada that are trying to get their Canada pension plan set up. Eventually everyone gets too old to work, and like you demonstrated you want that pension there to make sure you are comfortable when that happens.