CPP payment dates in 2026, and more to know about the Canada Pension Plan + MORE Jan 2nd

The Canada Child Benefit (CCB) is a tax-free monthly payment to help parents manage the cost of raising children. Each July, the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) recalculates how much eligible Canadian families will receive in CCB payments, based on your adjusted family net income from the previous year (for the 2026–2027 benefit year, that’s 2025). The CCB is also indexed to inflation, based on Consumer Price Index (CPI) data.

What are the CCB payment dates for 2026?

January 20, 2026

February 20, 2026

March 20, 2026

April 20, 2026

May 20, 2026

June 19, 2026

July 20, 2026

August 20, 2026

September 18, 2026

October 20, 2026

November 20, 2026

December 11, 2026

If you don’t receive a payment on the dates above, wait five business days before you contact the CRA for assistance, according to its website. But do follow up: “A parent who may have been entitled to the CCB but was not registered may still be in luck,” says Jason Heath, Certified Financial Planner at Objective Financial Partners Inc…

The Alberta Child and Family Benefit (ACFB) is a provincial program administered by the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) on behalf of the Government of Alberta. It provides tax-free financial support to low- and middle-income families with children under 18. Eligible families receive payments throughout the year, typically alongside their Canada Child Benefit (CCB) payments.

The ACFB was introduced in July 2020, consolidating the Alberta Child Benefit and the Alberta Family Employment Tax Credit into a single program. The ACFB aims to improve the quality of life for children and support their well-being. (See similar programs in other provinces and territories.)

The ACFB is indexed to inflation, so the amounts increase every year. The ACFB benefit period runs from July of one year to June of the following year.

What are the Alberta child benefit payment dates for 2026?

The CRA issues ACFB payments quarterly, by direct deposit or cheque. The payment dates this year are: 

February 27, 2026

May 27, 2026

August 27, 2026

November 27, 2026

You can also check CRA’s My Account for personalized benefit payment dates…

In Canada, most retirement plans include the Canada Pension Plan (CPP). Whether retirement is just around the corner or still years away, CPP is likely to form part of your retirement income. How much you receive depends on factors such as your earnings history, contributions, and when you start collecting benefits.

This guide answers common questions about CPP, including when to apply, when payments are issued, and how CPP income is taxed.

About the Canada Pension Plan (CPP)

CPP is a retirement pension that offers replacement income once a person retires from working life. The CPP is a social insurance plan, and it’s one “pillar” of the retirement income system for Canadians—the other three are Old Age Security (OAS), the Guaranteed Income Supplement (GIS) and personal savings. The CPP is funded by contributions from workers, employers and self-employed individuals. It’s not paid for by the government, despite what many Canadians may think.

A federally administered program, the CPP is mandatory, meaning that all Canadian workers and employers must contribute…