Retired federal public servants, Canadian Armed Forces members and RCMP members get their pensions from the Government of Canada Pension Centre. All three plans pay on the same day: the third-last banking day of each month. That’s the same day as CPP and OAS, except in December, when CPP and OAS come earlier.
How much your pension pays
There’s no standard amount. Your pension depends on your years of service and your salary. Your annual pensioner’s statement, sent by mid-February each year, shows your amount.
For the public service plan, the lifetime pension is worked out like this:
- Take your average salary over your 5 highest-paid years in a row.
- Multiply 1.375% of that average (up to the plan’s earnings limit) by your years of service, up to 35 years.
- Add 2% of any part of your average salary above that limit, times your years of service.
For example, someone with 25 years of service and an average salary of $60,000 would get a lifetime pension of about $20,625 a year, or $1,718.75 a month, from age 65.
If you retired before 65, you may also get a bridge benefit on top of your lifetime pension. It ends on the first of the month after you turn 65, when CPP or QPP is expected to take its place. That’s why many retirees see their pension deposit drop at 65.
The Armed Forces and RCMP plans have their own rules. Check your plan’s statement or call your pension centre.
Increases each January
Pensions go up each January 1 with the cost of living. The increase for January 2026 was 2.0%. For Armed Forces pensions, indexing starts between age 55 and 60 depending on your years of service, and the first increase after you retire is prorated. Survivor allowances are indexed at any age.
For survivors and children
Under the public service plan, a surviving spouse or partner usually gets a survivor allowance of half the pension the retiree would have received before 65. Each eligible child gets 10% of that pension, or 20% if there’s no eligible survivor, until 18, or 25 if they’re a student.
If a retiree married after retiring, their spouse usually isn’t covered, unless the retiree chose, within a year of marrying, to take a smaller pension to provide one.
Who gets these pensions
- Retired members of the federal public service pension plan.
- Retired members of the Canadian Armed Forces with a pension from their plan.
- Retired RCMP members with a pension from their plan.
- Survivors and eligible children who get a survivor or children’s allowance from one of these plans.
How to start your pension
It isn’t automatic. You apply through your plan’s pension centre when you retire.
- Contact the pension centre for your plan: public service, Canadian Armed Forces or RCMP.
- If you’re still working for the government, you can send a secure message through My GC Pension, My CAF Pension or My RCMP Pension.
- Survivors should send the Pension Centre proof of age for themselves and any eligible children, with any certificates that help show they’re entitled.
Bank changes must reach the Pension Centre by a monthly deadline to apply to that month’s deposit. The deadlines are on your plan’s pension calendar.
Taxes
Your pension is taxable. For the public service plan, your T4A (or NR4 if you live outside Canada) is mailed by the end of February. Because it’s a lifetime pension from a registered plan, it can count for the $2,000 federal pension income amount at any age. You may also be able to split it with your spouse on your tax returns using Form T1032.
What changed in 2026
- A 2.0% increase on January 1, 2026, for public service pensions and Armed Forces pensions that are being indexed.
- December is later than CPP and OAS. Federal pensions are deposited on December 29, 2026, a week after CPP and OAS.
- The 2027 pay calendars and the 2027 increase have not been published yet.
Payment late, missing or different?
Pensions are deposited directly into your bank account. If the money isn’t there on the payment date, call your pension centre:
| Plan | Toll-free (Canada and US) | Outside Canada and US (collect) |
|---|---|---|
| Public service | 1-800-561-7930 | 506-533-5800 |
| Canadian Armed Forces | 1-800-267-0325 | 613-946-1093 |
| RCMP | 1-855-502-7090 | 506-533-5800 |
The toll-free lines are open Monday to Friday, 7 am to 5 pm Eastern time. TTY for all three plans is 506-533-5990 (collect calls accepted). For the public service and RCMP plans, the outside-Canada and TTY lines close at 4 pm Eastern.
Common reasons a deposit is different: you turned 65 and your bridge benefit ended, the January increase was applied, your tax deductions changed, or you changed banks after that month’s deadline.
Watch for scams. The government never asks for payment by gift card, Bitcoin or wire transfer. Don’t send passwords or banking details in reply to a text or email. If in doubt, hang up and call the number above yourself. Report scams to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre at 1-888-495-8501.
Other help you might be missing
- CPP and OAS: your federal pension doesn’t replace these. Make sure you’ve applied or been enrolled.
- CPP survivor’s pension: if your spouse has died, you may get this on top of a survivor allowance from their plan.
- Veterans Affairs disability benefits and Pension for Life: for Armed Forces veterans and RCMP members with a service-related condition.
- Guaranteed Income Supplement: survivors or retirees with a small pension may still qualify at 65.
- Canadian Dental Care Plan: if you have no access to dental coverage and your family income is under $90,000. If you opted out of your pension plan’s dental coverage after December 11, 2023, you can’t join.
Common questions
When is the federal pension deposited?
On the third-last banking day of each month. The calendar at the top of this page lists the dates.
Why did my federal pension go down at 65?
If you retired before 65, your bridge benefit ends on the first of the month after your 65th birthday. CPP or QPP is meant to make up the difference.
How much did federal pensions go up in 2026?
2.0% on January 1, 2026. For Armed Forces pensions, the first increase after you retire is prorated.
Are RCMP and Armed Forces pensions paid on the same day as public service pensions?
Yes. All three plans publish the same deposit dates.
When do I get my T4A for my federal pension?
Tax slips are mailed by the end of February. Your annual pensioner’s statement arrives by mid-February.