Saint Vincent and the Grenadines - Pensions and benefits

If you have lived or worked in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines and in Canada, or you are the survivor of someone who has lived or worked in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines and in Canada, you may be eligible for pensions or benefits from Saint Vincent and the Grenadines or Canada, or both.

The Agreement on Social Security between Canada and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines came into force on November 1, 1998.

What benefits are available

If you contributed to both the Canada Pension Plan and the Saint Vincent and the Grenadines pension program, or if you lived in Canada and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, this agreement may help you qualify for:

Canadian old age and disability benefits
Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 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
Saint Vincent and the Grenadines survivor benefits.

You may qualify for a Canadian or a Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 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 Saint Vincent and the Grenadines will pay a benefit amount reflecting the portion of your creditable periods under Saint Vincent and the Grenadines's pension program.

Am I eligible to receive a benefit

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 benefit, Canada will consider periods credited under the pension program of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 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 pension program of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 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.

Saint Vincent and the Grenadines benefits

To qualify for a benefit under the pension program of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, you normally must have contributed to the program for a minimum number of weeks.

If you have not contributed to the program for the minimum period, to qualify for a contributory age benefit from Saint Vincent and the Grenadines under the Agreement, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines will consider periods of contribution to the Canada Pension Plan after January 1, 1987 and periods of residence in Canada after the same date and age 18 as credited periods under the pension program of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines. To determine eligibility for Saint Vincent and the Grenadines disability and survivor benefits, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines will consider periods of contribution to the Canada Pension Plan after January 1, 1987 as credited period under the pension program of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines.

If you are a Canadian citizen, under the Agreement you can receive a Saint Vincent and the Grenadines benefit while residing in Canada.

How do I 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, see Pensions in Canada.

If you live in Canada and want to apply for Saint Vincent and the Grenadines benefits:

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 2710 Station Main
Edmonton AB T5J 2G4
Canada

If you live in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines

If you live in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines and want to apply for Canadian benefits:

Attach any necessary supporting documents, and return the application form to a social security office in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, or mail it to:

International Operations
Service Canada
PO Box 2710 Station Main
Edmonton AB T5J 2G4
Canada

Saint Vincent and the Grenadines social security website

National Insurance Services

Resources

Agreement on Social Security between Canada and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
A general overview of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines's social security system is available on the United States Social Security Administration website
The Living abroad website provides information and access to programs and services for Canadians living abroad
For more information on contributing to the Canada Pension Plan while working abroad, contact the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) or visit the CRA website

Note: The Agreement

This page contains general information on the Agreement on Social Security between Canada and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 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.

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Date modified:: 2018-01-12

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