Philippines - Pensions and benefits
If you have lived or worked in the Philippines and in Canada, or you are the survivor of someone who has lived or worked in the Philippines and in Canada, you may be eligible for pensions or benefits from the Philippines or Canada, or both.
The Agreement on Social Security between Canada and the Philippines came into force on March 1, 1997. A Supplementary Agreement came into force on July 1, 2001.
Available benefits
If you contributed to both the Canada Pension Plan and the Philippine pension program, or if you lived in Canada and the Philippines, this agreement may help you qualify for:
- Canadian old age and disability benefits
- Philippine old age and disability benefits
If you are the widow, widower or child of a person who contributed to the pension programs of both countries, this agreement may help you qualify for:
- Canadian survivor benefits
- Philippine survivor benefits
You may qualify for a Canadian or a Philippine benefit, or both. However, under the Agreement, the benefit paid by each country will be based solely on your creditable periods under that country’s pension program. In other words, Canada will pay a benefit amount reflecting the portion of your periods that are creditable under Canada's pension program, and Philippines will pay a benefit amount reflecting the portion of your creditable periods under Philippines's pension program.
Eligibility
Canadian benefits
The Canadian pension programs included in the Agreement are the Canada Pension Plan (CPP) and the Old Age Security (OAS) program.
If you do not qualify for a Canada Pension Plan (CPP) benefit based on your contributions to the CPP, Canada will consider periods credited under the Philippine pension program as periods of contribution to the Canada Pension Plan.
If you do not qualify for an Old Age Security pension because you have not lived in Canada for the minimum number of years, Canada will consider periods credited under the Philippine pension program as periods of residence in Canada.
Note: Quebec Pension Plan (QPP) contributors
The Government of Canada’s international social security agreements cover Old Age Security and Canada Pension Plan benefits only. If you contribute or have contributed to the QPP but not to the CPP, please consult the Quebec Pension Plan.
Philippine benefits
The Philippine pension program consists of the Social Security System (SSS) and the Government Service Insurance System (GSIS). The SSS provides benefits to all private employees and self-employed persons. The GSIS provides benefits to all employees in the public sector.
To qualify for a benefit under the Philippine pension program, you normally must have resided in the Philippines or contributed to the SSS and/or the GSIS for a minimum number of years.
If you have not contributed to the SSS and/or the GSIS for the minimum period, under the Agreement, the Philippines will consider periods of contribution to the Canada Pension Plan and periods of residence in Canada after the age of 18 as credited periods under the SSS and/or the GSIS.
Apply
Print and complete one of the following application forms:
If you live in Canada
If you live in Canada and want to apply for Canadian benefits, consult the Pensions in Canada.
If you live in Canada and want to apply for Philippine benefits:
- Philippines/Canada Agreement - Application for a Philippine retirement pension (CAN-PHI-1)
- Philippines/Canada Agreement - Application for a Philippine death benefit (CAN-PHI-1(S))
- Philippines/Canada Agreement - Application for a Philippine disability benefit (CAN-PHI-1(D))
Attach any necessary supporting documents, and return the application form to a Service Canada Centre, or mail it to:
International Operations
Service Canada
PO Box 250
Fredericton NB E3B 4Z6
Canada
If you live in the Philippines
If you live in the Philippines and want to apply for Canadian benefits:
- Philippines/Canada Agreement - Application for Canadian Old Age, Retirement and Survivor Benefits (ISP5054-PHI)
- Philippines/Canada Agreement - Application for CPP Child's Benefits (ISP5055-PHI)
- Philippines/Canada Agreement - Application for CPP Disability Benefits (ISP5053-PHI)
Attach any necessary supporting documents, and return the application form to a social security office in the Philippines, or mail it to:
International Operations
Service Canada
PO Box 250
Fredericton NB E3B 4Z6
Canada
The Philippines’ social security
Resources
- Agreement on Social Security between Canada and the Republic of the Philippines
- Supplementary agreement to the Agreement on Social Security between Canada and the Republic of the Philippines
- General overview of the Philippine social security system
- Information on programs and services for Canadians living abroad
- Information on contributing to the Canada Pension Plan while working abroad and contact information for the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA)
Note: The Agreement
This page contains general information on the Agreement on Social Security between Government of Canada and the Republic of the Philippines and may not describe all the provisions that apply to your situation. If you have any questions, please contact us. In the case of a discrepancy between this page and the Agreement, the wording and provisions of the Agreement will prevail.
Page details
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