What is Old Age Security?
Old Age Security (OAS) is a monthly pension paid by the federal government to Canadians aged 65 and older. Unlike CPP, OAS is not based on your work history or contributions — it is based on how long you have lived in Canada as an adult. Even Canadians who never worked can receive OAS.
OAS is one of the three pillars of Canadian retirement income alongside CPP and personal savings. For many lower-income seniors, OAS combined with the Guaranteed Income Supplement (GIS) provides the majority of retirement income.
Q1 2026 OAS amountsOAS is indexed to inflation quarterly. For Q1 2026 (January–March), the maximum monthly OAS pension for Canadians aged 65–74 is $727.67. For those aged 75 and over, the maximum is $800.44 — a permanent 10% increase introduced in 2022.
OAS payment amounts 2026
| Age group | Maximum monthly (Q1 2026) | Maximum annual |
|---|---|---|
| Age 65–74 | $727.67 | $8,732 |
| Age 75 and over | $800.44 | $9,605 |
| Deferred to 70 (from 65) | Up to ~$1,051 | Up to ~$12,612 |
OAS amounts are adjusted every January, April, July, and October based on the Consumer Price Index. Amounts never decrease even if inflation is negative.
Who qualifies for OAS?
To receive the full OAS pension you must have lived in Canada for at least 40 years after age 18. If you have lived in Canada for fewer than 40 years, you receive a partial pension — 1/40th of the full amount for each year of Canadian residence after age 18.
To receive any OAS you must have lived in Canada for at least 10 years after age 18, and must be 65 or older. You do not need to be currently living in Canada to receive OAS — Canadians living abroad can receive OAS if they lived in Canada for at least 20 years after turning 18.
The Guaranteed Income Supplement (GIS)
GIS is a tax-free monthly benefit paid on top of OAS to low-income seniors. If your annual income (excluding OAS) is below approximately $22,000 as a single person, you likely qualify for GIS.
The maximum GIS for a single person in Q1 2026 is $1,086.88 per month — on top of OAS. Combined, a single low-income senior can receive over $1,814 per month in OAS and GIS combined.
GIS is widely unclaimedHundreds of thousands of eligible Canadian seniors do not receive GIS because they did not apply or did not know they qualified. If your income in retirement is below $22,000 (single) or $29,000 (couple), check your eligibility using GovGuide immediately.
Should you defer OAS past age 65?
You can defer receiving OAS for up to 5 years past age 65. For every month you defer, your monthly payment increases by 0.6%. Deferring the full 5 years to age 70 increases your monthly OAS by 36% permanently.
Deferring makes sense if you are still working at 65 and your income would trigger the OAS clawback (repayment threshold is $90,997 in 2026), if you expect to live a long life, or if you have other income sources that can sustain you until 70.
Deferring does not make sense if you have a serious health condition, if you need the income at 65, or if your income in early retirement will be low enough to qualify for GIS — deferring OAS also defers GIS eligibility.
The OAS clawback — what high earners need to know
If your net income exceeds $90,997 in 2026, you must repay a portion of your OAS. You repay 15 cents of OAS for every dollar of income above this threshold. OAS is fully clawed back once income reaches approximately $148,000.
If you expect high income in retirement from RRSP withdrawals, rental income, or investment income, consider deferring OAS or income-splitting strategies with your spouse.
How to apply for OAS
Many Canadians are automatically enrolled for OAS — Service Canada will send you a notification letter at age 64 if you qualify automatically. If you do not receive this letter, apply manually at least 6 months before you want payments to begin through My Service Canada Account or by completing Form ISP-3000.