If you graduated in spring 1987 and were working full-time by 1988, that means you have 37 years of potential contributions through the end of 2024, Maryann. You mentioned you have been in the U.S. for three years though, so that means you’re likely a little shy of getting the maximum CPP.
You could request a CPP Statement of Contributions from Service Canada to confirm.
CPP child rearing provision
One thing that could help your application and that will not be reflected online is the child rearing provision. This allows an applicant to drop years from their CPP calculation when they had children under the age of seven and were the primary caregiver. Caring for young children may have led to a reduction in CPP contributions, and therefore, a reduction in pension entitlement.
This dropout provision can enhance your CPP entitlement and may apply to you, Maryann.
U.S. Social Security for Canadians
Social Security is the U.S. equivalent to the CPP. Applicants generally need at least 40 of quarterly credits or 10 years of covered work to qualify. However, Maryann, you might still qualify even though you probably will not have 10 years of contributions.
The U.S.-Canadian Social Security Agreement allows Canadians to qualify for Social Security with just six work credits or a year and a half of contributions. This involves using Canadian CPP credits to reach the 10-year threshold.
As a result, Maryann, you may also qualify for a Social Security pension, albeit a small one, for a few years of work and your contributions in the U.S.
Interestingly, the Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) of the Social Security has historically caused a pensioner with non-covered pensions, including CPP, to have a reduction in their Social Security. But the introduction of the Social Security Fairness Act by President Biden means that the WEP no longer applies after December 2023.