Skip to content
Canajun Finances Home » CPP and EI for 2021

CPP and EI for 2021

CPP and EI rates for 2021 (as usual) are a little higher. Somewhat following the inflation rate, after a fashion.

One of my most popular posts in 2020 was CPP (Canada Pension Plan) and EI (Employment Insurance) rates for 2020, so I figure I’ll keep going with a winner. Interestingly interest in this topic is year round. CPP and EI rates for 2021 (as usual) are a little higher.

We can hope that 2021 will be a better year. Hopefully a year where you don’t need to receive EI as CERB is now gone.

As we start 2021 (a new year), all of us who receive pay cheques (the Japanese term is Salaryman), get to start paying CPP and EI premiums again. Depending on how much you make this might be a short-term issue or a year long pain.

If you pay CPP and EI premiums all year long, don’t worry, this is not for you. For those who have an end date for your CPP premiums, read on.

EI this year is again a bit lower:

  • The maximum insurable earnings for 2021 is $56,300, up from $54,200 in 2020. This is the EI maximum insured income for the year. If you earn more than this, and claim EI, this is what your benefits will be based on.
  • The rates have remained the same as last year:
    • Workers rate (self-employed folks should research further, or if you live in Quebec) $1.58 per $100 earned.
    • Maximum premium paid $ 889.54, once you reach this point no more EI will be deducted from your pay
    • Max difference from 2020 $ 33.18 more, over the year.

CPP rates continue to rise. The system is under more pressure from more Boomers retiring.

  • Maximum Pensionable Earnings: $61,600 (up from $58,700 in 2020)
  • Employee Contribution Rate : 5.45 % (rate is up 0.20 % over 2020)
  • Maximum contribution for year: $ 3,166.45 ($6,332.90 if self-employed)

Guess How Much Bill Makes

Somewhere around July, Bill (a friend) says he has paid off his CPP & EI, can we construe from this how much Bill makes (given he lives in Ontario and is not self-employed)?

MonthBi-Weekly PaysApprox Gross IncomePer Pay EIPer Pay CPP
January2$761,110.00 $444.77 $1,583.23
February4$380,555.00 $222.39 $791.61
March7$217,460.00 $127.08 $452.35
April9$169,135.56 $98.84 $351.83
May 11$138,383.64 $80.87 $287.86
June13$117,093.85 $68.43 $243.57
July 15$101,481.33 $59.30 $211.10
August17$89,542.35 $52.33 $186.26
September20$76,111.00 $44.48 $158.32
October22$69,191.82 $40.43 $143.93
November 24$63,425.83 $37.06 $131.94
December26$58,546.92 $34.21 $121.79
If your co-worker tells you they have “paid off CPP for this year” helpful table

So from this helpful table, we can guess Bill makes less than $100,000.00. Isn’t this a fun game to play? Also if Bill told you what the approximate EI deduction is on his pay cheque, you can also guess his gross income, using this cool table.

Past CPP & EI

Yes, it is a topic I write about, as it is essential to me. Here are a few from the past years to compare and contrast (hint see how much CPP has gone up).

Reference:

These are the sites I gleaned the information from

FAQ Answers for CPP & EI Maximum

What is the EI Maximum for 2021 ?

  • Maximum premium paid $ 889.54
  • What is the CPP Maximum payment for 2021 ?

  • Maximum contribution for year: $ 3,166.45
  • Feel Free to Comment

    1. I’m in sync with you guys. I used to discount the value of CPP and OAS figuring “they’d run out of money before I get them”. But now I’m almost 59 and retired, I’m sure looking forward to getting them. And as you have suggested, I’m liviing on what I have saved (or some of it) until 70 before I start drawing. Thanks for keeping up the job of spreading the good word of delayed gratification.

    2. When I was young I used to complain about the CPP and EI (UI back then) deductions. Now I realize that CPP has been a great deal for me, mainly because of the pathetic way I used to invest before about a decade ago. Only a tiny slice of Canadians can invest to get better returns than CPP benefits give. Long live CPP, expanded and mandatory!

    Leave a Reply

    This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

    Verified by MonsterInsights