Last Updated On 24 January 2026, 11:24 AM EST (Toronto Time)
Millions of Canadians will receive their next Canada Pension Plan – CPP payments deposit on January 28, 2026, and this one will be higher than the last payment.
The increase is the annual CPP indexation that resets every January and applies for the full 2026 calendar year.
Once the new rate takes effect, it becomes your baseline amount for 2026 and is the starting point used for future indexing.
For 2026, the confirmed CPP adjustment is a 2.0% increase tied to inflation (CPI).
In real terms, that means a slightly larger monthly deposit for retirees, people receiving CPP disability, and many surviving spouses and families who receive CPP survivor benefits.
This guide explains what CPP is, how the 2.0% increase works, who receives it, what it looks like in real dollars, the full 2026 payment calendar, and how to verify your updated amount through Service Canada.
Quick facts for January 28
- Next CPP payment date: January 28, 2026
- Increase: 2.0% for 2026 (applies January to December 2026)
- Who gets it: most people already receiving CPP retirement, CPP-D, and survivor benefits
- How to confirm your new amount: compare December 2025 vs January 2026 entitlement in Service Canada
What are CPP payments
CPP is one of Canada’s core income programs for people who have contributed through work.
It is funded through contributions deducted from employment earnings (with matching employer contributions) and through contributions paid via tax filing for many self-employed workers.
CPP pays monthly benefits in several categories:
- retirement pension
- disability benefits (CPP-D)
- survivor benefits
- children’s benefits (in certain survivor or disability situations)
- death benefit (a one-time payment in eligible cases)
- post-retirement benefit (PRB) for some people who work while receiving CPP
CPP is only one layer of retirement income for many households, alongside workplace pensions, savings, and Old Age Security.
But CPP is often the most predictable layer because it is paid monthly on a fixed schedule and adjusts annually.
Confirmed January 2026 CPP payment increase
CPP payments for 2026 are increasing by 2.0%. This is the annual inflation-based adjustment applied to CPP amounts for the January to December 2026 period.
This matters because it is not a forecast. It is a confirmed indexing change for 2026, which means you can estimate what your new monthly deposit should look like.
When you’ll see the higher payment
The first payment that reflects the new 2026 indexed amount will be paid on January 28, 2026.
- Direct deposit: the updated amount typically appears automatically on January 28
- Cheque: delivery timing depends on mail speed and your location
All the CPP payment dates for 2026
These are the CPP payment dates for 2026. This list tends to perform well in Discover because it matches high-intent searches and saves people time.
- January 28, 2026
- February 25, 2026
- March 27, 2026
- April 28, 2026
- May 27, 2026
- June 26, 2026
- July 29, 2026
- August 27, 2026
- September 25, 2026
- October 28, 2026
- November 26, 2026
- December 22, 2026
Many seniors receive CPP and OAS on the same deposit day, so this schedule often becomes the primary budgeting calendar for the year.
What the 2.0% CPP increase looks like in real dollars
A 2.0% adjustment sounds small until you translate it into a monthly and yearly change.
A quick estimate formula is:
- new monthly CPP = current monthly CPP × 1.02
Estimated monthly and annual increase examples
current monthly cpp (2025)estimated new monthly cpp (2026)monthly increaseannual increase$500$510$10$120$750$765$15$180$900$918$18$216$1,000$1,020$20$240$1,200$1,224$24$288$1,400$1,428$28$336
These are clean illustrations using a straight 2.0% calculation.
Your deposit can differ slightly due to rounding or because some people have tax withheld or other adjustments applied to their file.
Most people already receiving CPP will get the increase automatically. Indexation applies across CPP benefit types, not only retirement pensions.
CPP retirement pension recipients
If you already receive CPP retirement payments, your monthly amount should be indexed upward for 2026.
Your retirement pension level is shaped by:
- your contribution history
- your pensionable earnings over your working life
- the age you started CPP (between 60 and 70)
Indexation applies to the amount you already receive. It does not matter whether you started CPP long ago or recently.
CPP disability recipients
CPP disability payments are also affected by annual indexing. For many households, CPP-D is a core income stream, and indexation helps reduce the impact of rising living costs.
Survivor benefit recipients
Survivor benefits generally rise with indexation as well. These benefits can stabilize household income after a loss, and the annual adjustment helps preserve purchasing power.
Post-retirement benefit recipients
Some people receive CPP and continue working. Depending on your situation, ongoing contributions may create post-retirement benefits that add to your CPP income.
That means some recipients can see changes that are larger than indexation alone over time.
Why some people will notice a bigger jump in CPP payments than others
Even with one national rate of 2.0%, the visible change varies widely.
Higher baseline payments create larger dollar increases
A 2.0% increase on $1,300 is a larger dollar change than 2.0% on $500. The percentage is identical, but the base is different.
Your start age sets the baseline
CPP is structured so that starting earlier reduces the base amount and delaying increases it. Indexation applies to whatever your baseline is.
- started early: lower baseline, smaller dollar increase
- started later: higher baseline, larger dollar increase
Benefit type and file details can change what hits your bank account
Two people can both “get CPP” but receive different benefit types (retirement vs disability vs survivor), and some people have withholding tax or other deductions that change the net deposit.
For the cleanest comparison, focus on your gross monthly entitlement in Service Canada, then review deductions separately.
Maximum and average CPP payments and why headlines mislead
CPP headlines often focus on the maximum payment, but most people do not receive the maximum.
Maximum CPP generally requires a long history of contributions near the yearly maximum pensionable earnings over many years.
Many people have contribution gaps, lower-earning years, or start CPP early, which reduces the base amount.
The practical takeaway is simple: a 2.0% increase applies to everyone, but the dollar impact depends on your personal baseline.
What new retirees should know if starting CPP around January
If you plan to start CPP in late 2025 or early 2026, timing can affect what you see first.
Starting in early 2026 means your baseline is already the indexed year
If your CPP begins in early 2026, your starting calculation is made inside the 2026 framework, so the new year’s indexed baseline is already baked into the starting amount.
Your first payment can include retroactive amounts
Depending on application timing and eligibility, some people receive an initial deposit that includes retroactive amounts. That can make the first payment look higher than expected, followed by a normal monthly deposit afterward.
CPP does not start automatically
You generally must apply. If your plan is to begin CPP in January, applying well ahead of time reduces the risk of missing the first deposit window.
Why CPP contributions matter for newcomers and younger workers
CPP is not a flat payment. It is earned through contributions.
This matters for:
- newcomers who plan to retire in Canada
- temporary workers who later transition to permanent status
- international graduates who work in Canada
- young people entering the workforce
In most jobs, CPP contributions are deducted automatically. Employers contribute as well.
For many self-employed workers, contributions are handled through tax filing.
Over time, your CPP outcome is shaped by:
- how long you contribute
- how much you earn in pensionable income
- how consistent your contributions are
A short contribution history can still create eligibility, but the monthly amount is generally lower than for someone who contributed at higher levels over a full career.
How to confirm your new CPP payment amount?
If you want certainty before January 28, confirm your entitlement in Service Canada.
A simple check:
- look at your CPP entitlement for December 2025
- compare it to your CPP entitlement for January 2026
- use the gross entitlement figure first, then review deductions like withholding tax
If the January deposit does not match your estimate, the most common reasons are:
- withholding tax settings
- rounding
- other adjustments applied to your file
- bank posting timing vs the official payment date
The January 28 CPP payment is the first major Canada-wide deposit date of 2026 and the moment the 2.0% indexation becomes visible in monthly income for millions of Canadians.
The biggest value of CPP indexing is not one month of extra money.
It is long-term protection against erosion, because the adjustment resets the baseline and compounds over time.
If you want to see the increase clearly, compare your December entitlement to your January entitlement using the gross monthly figure inside Service Canada, then review any withholding or deductions that affect the net deposit.
That gives you the cleanest confirmation that your 2026 CPP baseline is set correctly before the payment lands.
2026 CPP payment increase frequently asked questions
Why is the max CPP benefit 2026 and why is the maximum not what most retirees actually receive?
The maximum is the ceiling for someone who contributed near the yearly maximum pensionable earnings for most of their career and starts at the standard age. Most people receive less because of common real-life factors:
a) years with lower earnings or part-time work
b) time out of the workforce (schooling, caregiving, unemployment)
c) late entry into the Canadian workforce
d) starting CPP early (which permanently reduces the base amount)
The most accurate way to understand your own “max” is to review your contribution record in My Service Canada account and compare start ages (earlier vs later) rather than relying on headline maximums.
What is the average CPP payment at 65, and how should I use that number when planning?
The average is a midpoint indicator, not a target and not a guarantee. It can be useful as a rough benchmark, but it does not reflect your personal situation. Use it correctly by treating it as context, then replacing it with your own estimate from My Service Canada account, which is built from your actual contribution history. Planning with your personal estimate is far more reliable than planning with a national average because CPP outcomes vary widely based on earnings and years contributed.
What does CPP employee contribution mean on a paycheque, and does it increase future CPP payments?
CPP employee contribution is the amount deducted from your pensionable earnings and sent to CPP (your employer typically contributes as well). Over time, consistent contributions generally strengthen your future CPP entitlement because CPP is earnings- and contribution-history based. The key is not one pay period, but the pattern across your working years: higher pensionable earnings and fewer gaps usually translate into a higher retirement pension.
Where do I get the CPP disability application form, and what do I need to submit so it doesn’t get delayed?
You can apply through MSCA (when available for your situation) or submit the paper CPP disability application package. To avoid the most common delays, have these ready before applying:
a) your SIN and identification details
b) a detailed medical report completed by your healthcare professional
c) your job history and last day worked (and why you stopped working)
d) banking info for direct deposit
e) any supporting documents that show functional limitations and treatment history
Incomplete medical sections and missing employment details are two of the biggest reasons files get paused.
Do I need to apply to receive the 2.0% increase in CPP payments in 2026?
No, if you already receive CPP, the annual January indexation is applied automatically.
Can working while receiving CPP increase future payments?
Yes, continued work and contributions may generate post-retirement benefits that add to CPP income over time.
What if my January 28 CPP payment does not show up?
Direct deposits of CPP payments usually post on the payment date, but bank processing can vary. The first step is to check your Service Canada payment details and confirm banking information.
Gagandeep Kaur Sekhon moved to Canada in 2010 on a study visa. She navigated through the ups and downs of her student life and gained her permanent residency in 2015. Today, she is a proud Canadian citizen residing in Calgary, Alberta. She is mother of 2 beautiful daughters and making her difference through writing and guidance at INC – Immigration News Canada.
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