Pensions and Bituach Leumi when you move to Canada
What happens to your Bituach Leumi, pension fund and keren hishtalmut when you leave Israel, and what waits for you in Canada.
✓ Checked against the sources: October 2026⚠️ This isn't pension, financial or tax advice. Before any withdrawal or change, talk to a licensed pension advisor or an accountant who knows Israel and Canada.
Bituach Leumi while you live abroad
People who leave Israel usually stay registered as residents for the first five years, unless Bituach Leumi decides otherwise or you ask to end your residence.
While you're a resident you keep paying. With no income, the minimum contribution is ₪266 a month (from 1.1.2026), which keeps your rights to benefits and your health insurance.
Source: Bituach Leumi: who counts as an Israeli resident (Hebrew) · Bituach Leumi: paying contributions abroad (Hebrew)
The agreement with Canada is limited
Israel and Canada have an interim, limited social security agreement, in force since 1.9.2003. It deals only with contributions, so you don't pay in both countries, for example workers posted temporarily to the other country. It doesn't help you qualify for benefits, and according to Bituach Leumi it doesn't apply to Quebec.
Source: Bituach Leumi: list of agreements (Hebrew) · Canada.ca: Israel, pensions and benefits agreement
🔒 3 more sections in this guide
- 💼 Pension funds, managers' insurance and keren hishtalmut
- 🌍 Tax on pensions under the treaty
- 🇨🇦 Your pension in Canada
The rest of this guide is for signed-in users. Signing up is free, with just your email.