If you paid into the Canada Pension Plan while living with your spouse, the pension credits accumulated under the plan may be split equally between the spouses in the event of a separation or divorce. This is known as a “credit splitting”.
If you earned less than your spouse during this period, the credit splitting may increase the amount of benefits you have under the Canada Pension Plan when you become entitled to receive a pension. If you did not work during this period, you will acquire pension credits and receive benefits at the appropriate time. If you earned more than your spouse during this period, your benefits under the plan will be reduced, because you will have fewer credits.
Note
You will have pensionable earnings under the Canada Pension Plan only if you worked in Canada outside Québec. If you worked in Québec, you will have contributed to the Québec Pension Plan.
