If you work until age 65, you have no choice but contributing to the CPP. If you are 65 to 70 years of age and you continue to work you can choose not to make CPP contributions. If you continue to work after age 65 while receiving the CPP retirement benefit you can also continue to contribute to the CPP and you can increase the amount of the CPP retirement benefit. That extra benefit is called the post-retirement benefit or PRP.
If you are over the age of 70 you can no longer contribute to the CPP.
If you decide to stop contributing to the CPP after the age 65 you must fill out the form CPT, Election to Stop Contributing to the Canada Pension Plan, or Revocation of a Prior Election. At any time you can change your mind and resume your CPP contributions. By continuing to make CPP contributions you earn new credits in the system. Consequently, your retirement benefits will increase with each year’s additional contributions.
