Government Benefits and Insurance Claims After a Death
When someone dies, there's often money owed to their family that nobody knows to ask for. Some of it comes from the government, some from insurance and some from work. Almost none of it arrives automatically, so here's what to look for and how to claim it.
Last reviewed: October 2026
Canada Pension Plan (CPP) benefits
If the person paid into the CPP long enough, their family may be entitled to three kinds of benefits. You have to apply for each one. They're not automatic. You can apply online through My Service Canada Account, use paper forms, or call 1-800-277-9914.
The CPP death benefit
A one-time payment of $2,500, usually paid to the estate. The executor applies. If there's no executor, or the executor hasn't applied within 60 days of the death, others can apply in this order: whoever paid for the funeral, the surviving spouse or common-law partner, then the next of kin.
For deaths on or after January 1, 2025, the estate may be entitled to an additional $2,500 if the person never received a CPP retirement or disability pension and didn't leave a surviving spouse or common-law partner who's eligible for a survivor's pension. That makes the maximum death benefit $5,000.
The survivor's pension
A monthly pension for the surviving spouse or common-law partner. The amount depends on how much the person paid into the CPP, the survivor's age and whether the survivor already gets a CPP pension of their own. In 2026, the maximum is $803.54 a month for survivors under 65 and $904.59 a month for survivors 65 and older. If the survivor also gets their own CPP retirement or disability pension, the combined amount is capped.
The children's benefit
A monthly payment for each dependent child of the person who died, if the child is under 18, or 18 to 25 and in school full time. In 2026 it's $307.81 a month per child. Part-time students aged 18 to 25 can get a reduced amount ($153.91 a month in 2026).
Old Age Security (OAS)
OAS stops after the death. The payment for the month of death generally belongs to the estate, and payments for later months have to be returned. If the surviving spouse or common-law partner is 60 to 64 and has a low income, they may qualify for the Allowance for the Survivor. Ask Service Canada.
Life insurance
- With a named beneficiary, the beneficiary claims directly from the insurer. The money doesn't go through the will, isn't counted for probate fees and is generally tax-free.
- With "the estate" as beneficiary, or no living beneficiary, the executor claims it, and it's distributed under the will (and counted for probate fees).
How to claim: contact the insurer, or the advisor who sold the policy, with the policy number if you have it. You'll usually need a claim form, proof of death and identification, and sometimes a statement from a doctor.
Coverage people often forget
- Group life insurance through work, including coverage a retiree kept after leaving
- Accidental death coverage through a credit card, bank account, car loan or employer, if the death was an accident
- Mortgage and loan insurance (creditor insurance) that pays off a mortgage, line of credit, car loan or credit card balance
- Associations, unions and alumni groups that offer members life insurance
- Travel insurance, if the death happened on a trip
- Old whole life policies, sometimes bought decades ago, which may also have a cash value
How to find a lost life insurance policy
- Search their papers, email and mail for statements or letters from insurers.
- Check bank statements for premium payments.
- Ask their financial advisor, insurance advisor, lawyer and accountant.
- Ask current and former employers about group coverage.
- Use the OmbudService for Life and Health Insurance (OLHI) search for policies of deceased persons, which asks participating Canadian insurers to check their records. 1-888-295-8112, olhi.ca.
If a policy turns up with a company that no longer exists, another insurer has usually taken it over. We can help you track it down.
Work and pension benefits
Contact the employer or pension administrator about:
- Final pay, vacation pay and any bonuses or commissions owed
- Group life and accidental death insurance
- Pension survivor benefits or a refund of contributions
- Health and dental coverage continuing for the family for a period
If the death was work-related, the family may be entitled to survivor benefits from the Workplace Safety and Insurance Board (WSIB).
Other places to check
- Veterans Affairs Canada (1-866-522-2122) and the Last Post Fund, for veterans
- The Bank of Canada's unclaimed properties search for bank balances that sat untouched for 10 years and were transferred to the Bank of Canada. Searching is free (unclaimedproperties.bankofcanada.ca).
- Canada Savings Bonds and other older government bonds
How we can help
Claims are part of our everyday work. We can help you find policies, fill out claim forms, follow up with insurers and think through what to do with the money afterward. No pressure and no obligation.
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