Canadian Citizens Living Abroad Regarding OAS & CPP

Canada does not have a restriction on where you live.  Canada does not care where you live.  It is the country you wish to visit or in some cases live in that provides restrictions.

As a Canadian Citizen, and if you have worked in Canada for 20 years from the time you were 18 years of age you are automatically entitled to OAS benefits when you reach the eligible age.  I encourage you to read the information provided at this link https://www.canada.ca/en/services/benefits/publicpensions/cpp/cpp-international/eligibility.html   CPP is a pension plan you paid into and you are entitled to.   Both of these government pensions can be received while you live abroad as of July, 2018.  Income tax is another issue.  As long as you are filing income tax in Canada they will not deduct from your pensions.  Again both of these pensions can be received to you while living abroad.

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​Health Care and Coverage.

Your province of residency regulates the amount of time you may be out of the country and still retain full health benefits.  Some are as low as 6 months.  There are a  few provinces now allowing 7 or 8 months for snowbirds to be outside of their home province and retain health benefits.  IF you are going to have any kind of non emergency health care while outside of Canada you are on your own.    If you are a Canadian, filing income tax and paying taxes in this country you are entitled to provincial health care.  Here is a link to the regulations regarding Saskatchewan health coverage and Alberta.  For a Saskatchewan resident you can be out of the country as a snowbird for up to 210 days.  While I could not find the link for that information I have read it.    Alberta snowbirds are restricted to 183 days in a 12 month period without having to contact your AHCIP provider.  Treatment received while outside your province will be reviewed by the health board in your province.  Read the information provided at the links above.  Lots to know if you are concerned about what coverage you have or do not have.  

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Hope this has been helpful. 

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The information provided has been sourced from the internet.  Validation of laws in Canada and Costa Rica can be found on the internet.