Penalties, Interest, and Disclosure Policy
Canada Pension Plan (CPP) and Old Age Security Act (OAS) Administrative Penalties, Interest, and Disclosure Policy
Administrative penalities under the Canada Pension Plan and the Old Age Security Act came into force on April 1, 2010. The penalty provision imposes financial sanctions in cases of misrepresentation. A misrepresentation is made when an applicant, beneficiary or third party knowingly provides false or misleading information, or omits information. The interest provision imposes interest on penalties and on overpayments that are subject to a penalty.
Service Canada’s disclosure policy allows individuals to come forward and correct inaccurate or incomplete information or to disclose information they did not divulge during previous dealings with Service Canada. A valid disclosure must be voluntary, complete and accurate, and must be given before an investigation has been started by Service Canada. Making a disclosure may exempt an individual from penalty or from having the case referred by the Minister to the RCMP for investigation and potential prosecution.
Individuals who would like to disclose a misrepresentation should contact the CPP/OAS information line 1-800-277-9914 or (TTY: 1-800-255-4786), or go in person at a Service Canada Centre, for help to begin the process.