Just because you paid loads into a program doesn't mean you'll get EI benefits when you retire
Q: I’m a 75-year old male, working part-time and contributing to EI every 2 weeks; and have been for 10 years.
I do have CPP and OAS income.
Do I qualify to collect EI benefits for a period of time if I retire this year? I’ve paid contributions for 10 years and now plan to retire so I should qualify for some remuneration (benefits).
—JM
A: Employment insurance (EI) is a program administered by Service Canada that provides both regular and special benefit payments. Workers contribute to the program through payroll deductions withheld from their salaries. Since 2010, people who are self-employed can make optional contributions and may qualify for special benefits.
Regular benefits are paid to eligible employees who lose their job through no fault of their own, JM. Typically, this would include those who are terminated because of a restructuring or those who work in seasonal industries.
Ask a Planner: Leave your question for Jason Heath »
Special benefits include parental benefits (maternity and paternity leave), sickness benefits (for those who cannot work due to injury or illness), compassionate care benefits (for those caring for a seriously ill family member) or parents of critically ill children benefits.
An optional retirement is not a qualifying reason for EI benefits, JM, because it does not fall into the special benefits categories and regular benefits are not meant to pay out to people who choose to stop working.
If your retirement, JM, is not your choice, you may qualify for regular benefits. Of note is that there are several reasons when quitting a job is considered just cause, but you must be able to substantiate to Service Canada that quitting was the only reasonable option.
These reasons include:
• sexual or other harassment
• needing to move with a spouse or dependent child to another place of residence
• discrimination
• working conditions that endanger your health or safety
• having to provide care for a child or another member of your immediate family
• reasonable assurance of another job in the immediate future
• major changes in the terms and conditions of your job affecting wages or salary
• excessive overtime or an employer’s refusal to pay for overtime work
• major changes in work duties
• difficult relations with a supervisor, for which you are not primarily responsible
• your employer is doing things which break the law
• discrimination because of membership in an association, organization or union of workers
• pressure from your employer or fellow workers to quit your job
If you do qualify for EI benefits, JM, your Old Age Security (OAS) pension won’t impact your eligibility for EI benefits, since it is an age-based pension that does not have to do with work or earnings. However, Canada Pension Plan (CPP) or Quebec Pension Plan (QPP) benefits will, as they are pensions that are related to work and earnings. Likewise, with employer pension plans and even foreign pensions that arose from employment in another country.
CPP, QPP and employer pensions generally constitute “earnings” that reduce your entitlement to EI benefits and must be reported to Service Canada. These types of earnings are deducted from your EI benefits.
Despite your contributions over the past ten years to employment insurance, JM, I’m afraid the intention of the program is not to give back to those who have paid lots into it. EI is paid only to those who qualify for regular or special benefits. And even qualifying doesn’t mean you will get it or keep it if you have other earnings – like pension income – that reduce your EI entitlement.
Ask a Planner: Leave your question for Jason Heath »
Jason Heath is a fee-only, advice-only Certified Financial Planner (CFP) at Objective Financial Partners Inc. in Toronto, Ontario. He does not sell any financial products whatsoever.
Share this article Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linkedin Share on Reddit Share on Email
You still have time to add to your retirement savings and lower your taxable income before the RRSP deadline....
Meme stocks continue to capitulate, giving context to Canadian housing, and two questions: Should I worry about the U.S....
When collecting disability, retiring early is an option. But find out how that can impact disability income and retirement...
Created By
Canadian Financial Summit
There’s a reason you’re reacting to an email in your inbox. It’s meant to make you feel like you...
Inflation ticks up in August, the U.S. Fed decides not to raise rates, IPOs make a comeback, what the UAW...
U.S. inflation battle continues, Oracle lets down expectations, Dollarama mightier than Roots, and Equitable Bank reigns supreme.
Avoiding probate fees in Canada involves implementing strategies such as using beneficiary designations, joint ownership, and establishing trusts to...
Canadians have quite a few options for retirement savings. But before you look at when to retire and start...
Most retirees have taxes owing at the end of the year. Should you adjust the withholding tax on your...
I am 65 working full time and collecting my pension. I am being laid off due to corona virus. Would i qualify for EI
I am a senior working part-time as a cashier in a grocery store. I am high risk for the virus am I eligible for EI, I am 68 years old
I am over the age of 75 and in health care, would I be able to collect benefits due to the danger I would be in. I live alone and keep to myself and no health issues as of now live in the country. There is no other pensions I have,
I am 65 working full time would I qualify for EI if I am laid off because of my work is closed due to the Corona virus. How much would I get?
I too am 65, working full time and laid off due to the virus. I am collecting both CPP and OAS benefits. Do I qualify for EI?
I am 68 working full time and collecting my pension if I get laid offdue to corona virus would I qualify for ei
I am 66 years old collecting pension and have been working till today I got laid off do I qualify for unemployment insurance
Is anyone monitoring this site? Will we get a response to our questions?
I also am asking the Question. I am 66 have never collected EI but am being laid off March 30 due to the Corona Virus. Do I qualify for EI even though I collect CPP and CP?
I am a 69 year old male working full time at a retail store I am collecting cpp and oas. I am high risk for the Corona virus. Am I able to collect ei. I have been paying into it Thank you
I am 67 widow and work in dental office which is now closed due to covid 19. I collect CCP . Does this get deducted from EI? Another question if it is and I get nothing in those weeks do I qualify for CERB .
Due to the large volume of comments we receive, we regret that we are unable to respond directly to each one. We invite you to email your question to [email protected], where it will be considered for a future response by one of our expert columnists. For personal advice, we suggest consulting with your financial institution or a qualified advisor.
Hi I am on the Cpp disabitiy pension ..I am allowed to work a maxium of certain hrs ….I am now laid off because of coviv 19 virus am i allowed to collect EI? I have paid into ei program while on cpp disabitily
Due to the large volume of comments we receive, we regret that we are unable to respond directly to each one. We invite you to email your question to [email protected], where it will be considered for a future response by one of our expert columnists. For personal advice, we suggest consulting with your financial institution or a qualified advisor.
have a question i am on ei trying to look for work but i cannot apply for jobs or get any assesment done i do not know what should i do cannot get hold of anyone on the phone any help appreciated.
I am over 67 years old was working part time now laid off due Covid 19 will I be eligible for cerb benefits and am receiving cpp and olg age pension
I am 74 and fully retired and wanted to know if I would receive anything extra on my Old Age cheque, also my son is on CPP disability and cannot work, will he receive anything extra?
Due to the large volume of comments we receive, we regret that we are unable to respond directly to each one. We invite you to email your question to [email protected], where it will be considered for a future response by one of our expert columnists. For personal advice, we suggest consulting with your financial institution or a qualified advisor.
I also am senior and receiving pensions , but layed off my job. Can I qualify for any of the coronavirus programs .
I am 74 self employed and draw my CPP & OAS Would I qualify for EI benefits when I retire. If so how much?
Due to the large volume of comments we receive, we regret that we are unable to respond directly to each one. We invite you to email your question to [email protected], where it will be considered for a future response by one of our expert columnists. For personal advice, we suggest consulting with your financial institution or a qualified advisor.
Can I collect ui if I have a pension and get layed off?
Due to the large volume of comments we receive, we regret that we are unable to respond directly to each one. We invite you to email your question to [email protected], where it will be considered for a future response by one of our expert columnists. For personal advice, we suggest consulting with your financial institution or a qualified advisor.
Hello, I am 67 years old worker, and I am already receiving monthly CPP payment, if I get a package and apply for EI of course after my package is done, would I receive the EI benefits, and also how much will the CPP get reduced if I get that in parallel ?
Your answer will be appreciated.
Thanks
HI
Can I receive EI and CPP disability payments monthly?
Response from the MoneySense editorial team:
Hello Lorraine, thank you for your question.
Due to the large volume of comments we receive, we regret that we are unable to respond directly to each one. We invite you to email your question to [email protected],
where it will be considered for a future response by one of our expert columnists. For personal advice, we suggest consulting with your financial institution or a qualified advisor.
A pension income is not considered to be earnings for EI benefit purposes when an individual requalifies for EI benefits after the date on which payment of the pension begins. The following criteria must be met for the pension not to be considered earnings to be deducted from benefits:
After the date on which the pension became payable
and while receiving your pension
you worked and accumulated the necessary number of insurable hours to establish a claim and
that claim is calculated using the insurable hours accumulated after the start of the retirement pension
What if Jim has been laid off and has established enough insurable hours to collect EI? Does he still have to report his CPP earnings?
I am 81 years old and decided to retire due to my spouse who was part of my employment passing away. We both worked as super intendants as a duo for 25 years and now I find it to hard to take care of the building on my own. Do I qualify for EI while I am also collecting ccp if I voluntarily leave my job.
I am 62 and about to retire. I do not intend to take my CCP until I am 65. I have paid into my EI for my career and have never made a claim. When I retire I will not have a pension. Can I receive anything if I claim for EI?
Thanks
Due to the large volume of comments we receive, we regret that we are unable to respond directly to each one. We invite you to email your question to [email protected], where it will be considered for a future response by one of our expert columnists. For personal advice, we suggest consulting with your financial institution or a qualified advisor.
I am 62 years old and I have retired May 01, 2020 and my plan was to go back to work but due to Covid 19 I could not go back, could I apply for EI.
Due to the large volume of comments we receive, we regret that we are unable to respond directly to each one. We invite you to email your question to [email protected], where it will be considered for a future response by one of our expert columnists. For personal advice, we suggest consulting with your financial institution or a qualified advisor.
A person over age 65 who driving a school bus asked these questions and because never been in those situations was unable to provide an answer to the person.
Persons over age 65 can receive GIS, OAS or cpp?
Can they work and if so how much?
What things impacts the amount they receive from those?
GIS, OAS, CPP working seasonal work example: school bus driver can they apply for e.i during the time periods there is a shortage of work example: two weeks off winter break, march break and summer months?
How does it work?
What impacts does it have to those for each thing?
There is no clear answer on any of the canada government websites.
Due to the large volume of comments we receive, we regret that we are unable to respond directly to each one. We invite you to email your question to [email protected], where it will be considered for a future response by one of our expert columnists. For personal advice, we suggest consulting with your financial institution or a qualified advisor.
My client retired on 30 dec 2020, he is 68 years, collecting cpp and old age security. he retired on his own will. he got ROE from employer with code ”G”. He want to know can he apply or qualify for EI benefits. He dont have any intention of working in future because of his age and helath problems.
If you guide him , will be highly appreciated.
Services Canada website is not vry clear.
Thanking you.
I am 60 and about to retire. Worked 44 years for the same company.I don.t intend to take my CCP until 65. I have paid EI for many years.. when I retire I will not have a pension. Can I receive anything if I claim for EI.
Due to the large volume of comments we receive, we regret that we are unable to respond directly to each one. We invite you to email your question to [email protected], where it will be considered for a future response by one of our expert columnists. For personal advice, we suggest consulting with your financial institution or a qualified advisor.
I am a 69 year old receiving my cpp and old age since I turn 60. I have continued working to 69 years of age. Now my leg is knees are bad, and I mite have to stop working. Can I receive unemployment?
I am retired, below 60 years old, with good benefits from a pension plan.
I am also a school bus driver since September 2020. School bus drivers are not paid for Christmas or Summer Holidays, as a result, my colleagues complete their income via unemployment insurance.
Although I pay E.I premiums, I assumed, I was not entitled to E.I due to my generous pension plan benefits.
Is there a way, for me to find out, a) If I could qualify for E.I and b) What is the maximum pension earning allowed to be considered eligible for E.I. Benefits?
Thank-you in advance for your help!
Due to the large volume of comments we receive, we regret that we are unable to respond directly to each one. We invite you to email your question to [email protected], where it will be considered for a future response by one of our expert columnists. For personal advice, we suggest consulting with your financial institution or a qualified advisor.
I am 60 years old, the company that I have been working with for over 30 years is giving me a Separation Package, they call “Early Retirement “. Last day is June 25, 2021.
This is of no fault of my own.
Am I eligible for EI ?
I am 65 as of February 2021 and was working just got laid off.
Can I collect full what ever amount of EI and apply and start collecting my CPP?
I am 62 and my full time job just got eliminated due to restructuring. The only time I used EI was during the 6 months after I had my child. I would like to apply now for EI, until I get my next job. However, I am currently getting a monthly employer pension which I started over a year ago. Will this disqualify me or reduce EI so much it’s not worth it?
I am 62 yrs old and have paid into EI for 50yrs +. If I quit my job because I wish to relocate closer to Family. Will I be able to get EI. Even though I collect CPP.
How can they not give you EI after you have paid into it? That sounds like the Federal Government is stealing from me.
I’m 63 been with my company for 16 yrs. My back is starting to give me trouble. And can’t find anything to help with pain yet. If I was to quit would I be intited to EI.
I am 66 years old and working. I might have to take care givers leave as my husband has dementia. Do I qualify for ei and for how many weeks
if i have never collected EI in the last 40 years but paid into it every payday do i get any of it back when i retire
I am 70 years old on my ROE my copy says mandatory retirement, however the copy that was sent to the government says quit, i applied for ei and 8 weeks later after doing my reports on line was told i do not qualify because i did not have a job lined up when i left and if i did get a job i could reapply for ei, this does not make sense to me!!!