Discovering “Hidden” Pensions for Canadian Clients

Recently, a few of our long-time clients were pleasantly surprised to learn they qualified for U.S. Social Security and the U.K. State Pension—even though they’ve lived in Canada for decades.

It sparked a great question:

Are there other countries where Canadians or long-time immigrants to Canada may also qualify for foreign pensions?

The answer: Absolutely.

And sometimes those pensions add several thousand dollars a year in unexpected income.

Why This Happens

Canada has Social Security / Pension Totalization Agreements with a number of countries. These allow people to combine contribution years from Canada with contribution years from another country.

Even a short period of work abroad—sometimes as little as one year—can unlock access to a foreign pension.

This is exactly how our clients recently unlocked benefits from the U.S. and U.K.

Countries Where Canadians May Qualify for a Pension:

Europe:

Germany • France • Italy • Netherlands • Sweden • Norway • Finland • Denmark • Austria • Portugal • Spain • Greece • Czech Republic • Slovakia • Hungary • Poland • Romania • Luxembourg • Switzerland

Asia / Middle East:

Japan • South Korea • Turkey • Israel

Latin America / Caribbean:

Mexico • Brazil • Chile • Peru • Dominican Republic • Barbados

Oceania:

Australia • New Zealand

Other:

Philippines • Trinidad & Tobago

Benefits for Clients

Identifying foreign pension eligibility can offer several advantages:

1. Additional Retirement Income

A small pension from overseas can provide meaningful monthly income, especially when added to CPP/OAS.

2. Reduced Risk of Leaving Money Unclaimed

Many people don’t realize they paid into foreign systems during early career years or working holidays.

3. Better Retirement Planning Clarity

Knowing about all sources of income helps create smoother, more accurate cash-flow projections.

4. Possible Ability to “Top Up” Benefits

Some systems—such as the U.K.—allow voluntary top-ups to significantly increase future payments.

5. Survivor Benefits

In certain countries, spouses may also receive benefits, even if they never lived or worked there.

6. Coordination With Canadian Rules

These pensions do not reduce CPP, although they may affect GIS (for low-income seniors). Understanding them helps clients avoid surprises.

Countries Without a Treaty

These common immigrant origins do not currently have an agreement in force:
India (signed but not yet active) • China • Hong Kong • Thailand • Vietnam • Iran • Pakistan

Clients may still have rights in those countries—but cannot combine CPP credits to qualify.

Next Steps

If you or a family member worked abroad—even briefly—here’s how to start:

1. Make a list of any countries where you worked or contributed to payroll taxes

Even part-time or student work can count.

2. Check whether that country has a Social Security Agreement with Canada

We can help you confirm this.

3. Request contribution statements

Each country has a different process; we can guide you through it.

4. Add potential benefits into your retirement plan

We will incorporate these figures into your projections once statements arrive.

5. Consider timing and taxation

Some pensions have withholding tax or affect GIS; we help review the implications.

Want Me to Check Your Eligibility?

If you’ve ever worked abroad—or know someone who has—feel free to reach out. We can help determine if there’s a foreign pension waiting for you, even decades later.

Source: https://www.canada.ca/en/revenue-agency/services/tax