The Quebec Pension Plan (QPP) is an important part of employee benefits in Canada. Created in 1965 along with the Canada Pension Plan (CPP), the QPP helps provide basic financial security for Quebec workers and their families.
Whether you’re a Quebec resident planning for retirement or simply looking to understand the QPP better, this guide will provide key details on everything you need to know about this important social program.
What is the Quebec Pension Plan (QPP)?
The Quebec Pension Plan is a mandatory public pension program that provides basic financial protection for Quebec workers aged 18 and over in cases of retirement, disability, or death.
The QPP is the province of Quebec’s alternative to the Canada Pension Plan (CPP). It was created when Quebec opted out of the CPP in order to start its own provincial pension plan.
The QPP is managed by the Caisse de dรฉpรดt et placement du Quรฉbec (CDPQ) and is funded through mandatory contributions: employees contribute a portion of their earnings, employers match these contributions, and self-employed individuals pay both shares.
Types of Quebec Pension Plan Benefits
The QPP provides three main benefit types to contributors and their families: Retirement Pension, Disability Pension, and Survivor’s Benefits. The table below summarizes the maximum amounts for the three main types of QPP benefits.
| Benefit Type | Maximum Monthly Amount |
| Retirement Pension | $1,433.00 at age 65 $917.12 at age 60 $2,275.60 at age 72 |
| Disability Pension | $1672.62 at age 18 to 59 $598.46 at age 60 to 65 |
| Survivor’s Benefits | Up to $1,134.61 for surviving spouse |
All benefits are taxable income and indexed annually. Now, let’s take a closer look at each type.
Retirement Pensions
The QPP retirement pension provides monthly income during retirement to eligible individuals aged 60 or older.
Full QPP benefits require contributing for at least one year. Early receipt from age 60-64 and delayed receipt up to age 70 result in a downward or upward adjustment of benefit amounts, respectively.
Disability Benefits
The QPP provides coverage in the event a contributor becomes disabled and is unable to work. To receive QPP disability benefits, the individual must have sufficient contributions and have a disability that prevents them from working regularly at any job. Of course, medical and functional eligibility criteria must be met to receive QPP disability benefits.
Survivor Benefits
Different survivor benefits are offered in the event of the death of a QPP contributor. Eligibility is based on the deceased’s contribution history, the survivor’s age, and other criteria.
These benefits can include lump-sum death benefits, monthly surviving spouse pensions, and monthly orphan pensions for dependent children.
Who Contributes to the Quebec Pension Plan?
Participation in the Quebec Pension Plan is mandatory for all Quebec workers aged 18 to 65 who earn an annual income above the basic exemption of $3,500.
The only exceptions are those who are already receiving QPP retirement benefits but remain in the workforce. They can choose to opt out of further QPP contributions after age 65.
Both employees and employers must contribute to the QPP based on pensionable earnings. For 2025, the employee contribution rate is as follows:
| Year | Total Contribution Rate | Employee Portion | Employer Portion |
| 2025 | 10.8% (basic plan) | 5.4% | 5.4% |
| 2025 | 2% (additional plan) | 1% | 1% |
Self-employed Quebec residents must pay both portions of the QPP contribution, resulting in a total contribution rate of 12.8% of pensionable earnings in 2025.
All QPP contributions are mandatory for eligible Quebec workers, regardless of whether they are also contributing to an employer-sponsored registered pension plan or not.
Source: https://www.rrq.gouv.qc.ca/en/programmes/regime_rentes/Pages/regime_rentes.aspx
How are Quebec Pension Plan Benefits Calculated?
The amount of QPP retirement benefits paid is based on an individual’s lifetime employment and pensionable earnings, as well as the age at which pension payments begin.
Specifically, benefits are calculated based on average monthly pensionable earnings over the period from age 18 until the month prior to benefit commencement. The 7 years (84 months) with the lowest earnings during this period are dropped from the calculation.
Individuals receiving the maximum QPP retirement benefit at age 65 in 2025 would have contributed continuously at or above the Yearly Maximum Pensionable Earnings (YMPE) threshold for their entire contributory period. The YMPE is $71,300 in 2025. (Source)
The maximum replacement rate from the QPP is 25-33% of average monthly pensionable earnings over a contributor’s working lifetime. Those taking early retirement at age 60 would face a reduced benefit amount, whereas delaying retirement past 65 increases the monthly benefit.
How Do You Apply for QPP Benefits?
The QPP application process follows five straightforward steps through Retraite Quรฉbec’s online system:
Step 1: Authentication
Create a clicSรQUR account to access My Account on Retraite Quรฉbec’s website. This secure portal manages all your QPP interactions.
Step 2: Estimation
Complete the online application form, which automatically calculates your estimated pension amount. While not guaranteed, this estimate provides a reasonable expectation of your benefits.
Step 3: Submission
Review your completed application carefully, then submit it electronically to pension program officials for processing.
Step 4: Confirmation
Check your application status through My Account to ensure successful submission and track any requests for additional information.
Step 5: Tracking
Monitor your application’s progress online, watching for approval notifications and payment start dates.
The digital process streamlines what once required extensive paperwork, making benefit applications accessible from anywhere with internet access. So you have to ensure all information remains accurate and current to avoid processing delays.
When Are QPP Payments Made in 2025?
QPP payments arrive on the last business day of each month. Direct deposit ensures reliable delivery, while cheques remain available but arrive days later.
In 2025, QPP payment dates fall on these days:
- January 31, February 28, March 31
- April 30, May 30, June 30
- July 31, August 29, September 29
- October 31, November 28, December 30
Banking holidays may advance payments by one day. December payments often arrive early due to year-end holidays. For the latest update schedule, you can check Retraite Quรฉbec’s website.
When Can You Start Receiving QPP Benefits?
QPP contributors become eligible to begin receiving retirement benefits as early as age 60, although taking early retirement leads to a reduced benefit amount.
The standard age to begin receiving full QPP retirement benefits is 65. However, contributors can choose to delay receiving benefits up to age 70 in order to receive higher monthly payments. There is no added benefit to delaying beyond age 70.
It is recommended to apply for QPP benefits at least 3 months prior to the desired start date. Retroactive lump sum payments can only be made for up to 12 months.
Are Quebec Pension Plan Benefits Taxable?
Yes, all benefits received through the QPP are considered taxable income for federal and provincial income tax purposes. This includes retirement, disability, and survivor benefits.
QPP benefits are fully taxable by the federal and Quebec provincial governments. Taxes are not deducted directly from monthly payments, so recipients need to ensure they plan for QPP tax liability.
It is important to note that QPP benefits are adjusted annually based on changes to the Consumer Price Index in order to account for increases in the cost of living.
What If You’ve Worked in Both Quebec and Other Provinces?
The QPP and CPP have reciprocity agreements in place to coordinate benefits for individuals who have made contributions to both plans based on interprovincial work histories.
If you have contributed to both the QPP and CPP over your career, your benefits from the two plans will be combined and coordinated based on your full contributions. The pension benefits you receive will be unaffected by moving between provinces.
In general, you would apply for QPP benefits if you are a resident of Quebec at the time of retirement and apply for CPP benefits if you are residing outside of Quebec. For non-residents of Canada, the application would be based on the province of last residence.
The bottom line
The Quebec Pension Plan is a far-reaching social program and the cornerstone of the retirement system for residents of Quebec. It provides the foundation for financial security in retirement for Quebec workers.
Whether you’re just starting your career or approaching your retirement years, the Quebec Pension Plan will play an important role. Learning about the QPP, planning your contributions, and timing the start of your retirement benefits can help ensure you receive the maximum income you deserve after a lifetime of hard work.
FAQs related to Quebec Pension Plan (QPP)
How is the QPP different from the Canada Pension Plan (CPP)?
The QPP is Quebec's provincial pension plan, while the CPP covers all other provinces and territories. QPP was created in 1965 when Quebec opted out of the national CPP. Both plans provide similar retirement, disability and survivor benefits.
Where do QPP contributions come from?
QPP is funded by mandatory contributions from employees, employers, and self-employed individuals in Quebec who earn more than the minimum annual amount.
Why did Quebec create its own pension plan separate from the CPP?
Quebec wanted more control over investing and managing the pension assets within its own borders, so it exercised the option to create a provincial alternative to the national CPP.
Do self-employed Quebec residents pay QPP contributions?
Yes, self-employed individuals in Quebec are required to pay both the employee and employer portions of QPP contributions.
Can you receive both CPP and QPP benefits if you lived in multiple provinces?
Yes, your benefits will be coordinated based on your contributions to both plans and where you lived while working.
How often are QPP benefits indexed or adjusted?
QPP benefits are indexed or adjusted annually based on changes to the Consumer Price Index to protect against inflation.
