Canada Pension Plan credit splitting divides the CPP contributions each spouse made during the time they lived together, splitting them evenly regardless of who earned more. Either former spouse can apply, independently, by submitting the required form to Service Canada along with proof of the marriage or cohabitation and proof of separation or divorce. Processing generally takes several weeks. Unlike Quebec, British Columbia, Alberta, and Saskatchewan, Ontario does not allow couples to opt out of credit splitting through a separation agreement.
- CPP credit splitting divides the CPP contributions made during the relationship evenly between former spouses.
- Either spouse can apply independently — the other person’s consent is not required to request a split.
- Ontario does not allow couples to opt out of CPP credit splitting through a separation agreement, unlike some other provinces.
- This is separate from dividing a workplace pension or RRSPs, and is often overlooked in a property settlement.
- Once processed, a CPP credit split is generally treated as permanent.
- Old Age Security cannot be split on divorce — only CPP credits are eligible.
What CPP Credit Splitting Actually Does
When a marriage or qualifying common-law relationship ends, either former spouse can apply to have the Canada Pension Plan contributions made during the time they lived together added together and split evenly between them — regardless of who actually earned the income the contributions were based on. This is a federal program administered by Service Canada, entirely separate from how a workplace pension or RRSPs are divided under Ontario family law.
Who Can Apply
Either former spouse can apply independently — you do not need your ex-spouse’s agreement or cooperation to request a credit split. This matters in situations where a former spouse is uncooperative or difficult to reach, since the process doesn’t depend on their participation.
Someone who was the lower-income earner throughout a long marriage, and who made far fewer CPP contributions as a result, can see a meaningful improvement in their eventual CPP retirement benefit once the contribution years are split evenly with their former spouse.
How to Apply
Applying requires submitting the required form to Service Canada, along with proof of the marriage or relationship (such as a marriage certificate) and proof that it ended (a divorce certificate or separation agreement). If you can’t provide separation documentation, Service Canada has a statutory declaration form you can complete instead. Processing commonly takes several weeks, after which both former spouses receive a decision letter.
Why Ontario Can’t Opt Out
A handful of provinces allow couples to opt out of CPP credit splitting through their own separation agreement. Ontario is not one of them — regardless of what your separation agreement says about CPP, either of you can still apply for the split under the federal program. If you intended your agreement to address this and it doesn’t actually prevent a later application, that’s worth knowing well before it becomes an issue.
If your separation agreement is silent on CPP credits, or purports to waive them, confirm with a lawyer whether that actually has the effect you expect in Ontario — the opt-out options available in some other provinces simply don’t apply here.
How This Fits With Your Property Settlement
CPP credit splitting is handled through Service Canada, not through the equalization process under Ontario’s property division rules — see our guide on how property is divided in an Ontario divorce for that separate process. A comprehensive separation agreement should still address CPP credits explicitly, even though it can’t override either spouse’s ability to apply.
Common Mistakes
The most common mistake is simply forgetting CPP credit splitting exists, since it isn’t part of the usual pension-and-property conversation the way a workplace pension is. The second most common mistake is assuming Old Age Security can also be split — it cannot; only CPP credits are eligible for this program.
Working through a separation in Toronto or the GTA? Call 416-274-2222 for a free, confidential consultation — we’ll make sure nothing gets left out of your settlement.
Frequently Asked Questions
The CPP contributions each spouse made during the years they lived together are added up and split evenly between the two of you, regardless of who actually earned the income or made the contributions. This affects your future CPP retirement benefit calculation.
No. Either former spouse can apply for a CPP credit split independently, without needing the other person’s agreement or cooperation.
In Ontario, generally no. Unlike a handful of other provinces that allow couples to opt out of credit splitting through a separation agreement, Ontario residents cannot opt out of CPP credit splitting this way — the split can still be requested by either party regardless of what a separation agreement says.
Service Canada advises applying as soon as possible after separation or divorce. Different sources describe different outer time limits, so don’t wait — apply promptly rather than relying on a specific deadline you haven’t confirmed directly with Service Canada.
Processing commonly takes several weeks, though this can vary. Both former spouses typically receive a decision letter once the review is complete.
Generally, no — once Service Canada processes the split, it is treated as permanent. This makes it worth confirming you actually want to proceed, and understanding the effect, before you apply.
Yes, CPP credit splitting generally applies to common-law relationships that meet the required criteria, not only to legally married couples, though the specific requirements for proving the relationship and its end differ from a formal divorce.