OAS Guides

All guides / Government Pensions

Old Age Security (OAS)

Last checked:

Old Age Security (OAS) is a monthly federal pension for people 65 and older who have lived in Canada for at least 10 years since age 18. From October to December 2026, the maximum is $762.50 a month at ages 65 to 74 and $838.75 at 75 and older. Most people are enrolled automatically; others apply online or with form ISP-3550.

Check if you qualify

Key facts

Maximum monthly OAS, age 65 to 74
$762.50 (October to December 2026)
Maximum monthly OAS, age 75 and older
$838.75 (October to December 2026)
Maximum monthly OAS if delayed to age 70
$1,037.00 (October to December 2026)
Minimum residence in Canada after age 18
10 years (20 years to keep OAS while living abroad)
OAS stops completely at net income of
$152,062 (age 65 to 74) or $157,923 (75 and older), based on 2025 income
Paper application form
ISP-3550

What is Old Age Security?

Old Age Security (OAS) is a monthly pension paid by the Government of Canada to people 65 and older. Unlike the Canada Pension Plan, it does not depend on whether you worked. It depends on your age, your income and how long you have lived in Canada.

OAS amounts are reviewed every January, April, July and October and go up when the cost of living rises. OAS is taxable income. Tax is not taken off automatically, but you can ask Service Canada to deduct tax each month so you do not face a large bill at tax time.

Who qualifies for OAS?

If you live in Canada, you may qualify if you meet all of these conditions:

If you live outside Canada, you need at least 20 years in Canada since age 18. Time spent working abroad for a Canadian employer may count as time in Canada in some cases. If you lived in a country that has a social security agreement with Canada, that time may also help you qualify. Service Canada decides whether you qualify.

How much is OAS in 2026?

From October to December 2026, the full OAS pension is up to $762.50 a month if you are 65 to 74, and up to $838.75 a month if you are 75 or older. The higher amount reflects a 10% increase that is added automatically the month after your 75th birthday.

You may get less than the full amount for two reasons. First, a full pension needs 40 years in Canada after age 18. With fewer years, you may get a partial pension worked out as your years in Canada divided by 40. For example, 20 years in Canada gives 20/40, or half the full amount.

Second, OAS depends on income. If your 2025 net income was more than $93,454, you may have to repay part or all of your OAS through the OAS recovery tax, often called the clawback. OAS stops completely when 2025 net income reaches $152,062 for ages 65 to 74, or $157,923 for 75 and older.

How do I apply for OAS?

Most people do not need to fill out an application. Around your 64th birthday, Service Canada sends a letter. If it says you are enrolled automatically, check that the details are correct. You do not need to do anything else unless something is wrong.

You do need to act if your letter has wrong information, if the letter asks you to apply, if you want to delay your pension, or if you have turned 65 and your pension has not started.

  1. Wait for your enrolment letter. If one month has passed since your 64th birthday and nothing has arrived, contact Service Canada to ask whether you need to apply.
  2. Gather what you need: your spouse or partner's Social Insurance Number and date of birth (if you have one), the countries you have lived in since age 18, the date you want your pension to start, any foreign income, and your banking details for direct deposit.
  3. To apply online, sign in to My Service Canada Account and go to the Old Age Security section. You must be at least 64 years and 1 month old.
  4. To apply on paper, fill out form ISP-3550, Application for the Old Age Security Pension and the Guaranteed Income Supplement. Mail it to the Service Canada office for the last province or territory where you lived.
  5. Watch for your decision letter. It shows your monthly amount, your first payment date and any past payments owed to you.

Should I delay my OAS pension?

You can delay OAS for up to 5 years, to age 70. Your pension goes up 0.6% for each month you wait, which is 7.2% a year, to a maximum of 36% at 70. Using October to December 2026 amounts, $762.50 at 65 becomes $1,037.00 at 70. To delay, use the Profile section of My Service Canada Account or contact Service Canada.

Delaying has a cost if your income is low. You cannot get the Guaranteed Income Supplement (GIS) while you delay OAS, and your spouse or partner cannot get the Allowance. GIS and Allowance amounts also do not go up when you delay. If you may qualify for GIS, it is usually worth checking before you decide to wait.

What if I am refused or something goes wrong?

If you disagree with a decision, ask for a reconsideration within 90 days of getting your decision letter. You can do this in My Service Canada Account, with form ISP-3134, or with a signed letter. If you still disagree with the new decision, you can appeal to the Social Security Tribunal.

If you apply late, Service Canada may pay up to 11 months of back payments, counted from the date it receives your application. There is no back pay for months you chose to delay.

OAS money people miss

The most common loss is simply not following up. If your enrolment letter never arrives, call Service Canada. Months of payments can be lost while people wait.

Check your payment the month after your 75th birthday to make sure the 10% increase was added. If your income is low, make sure you also get the GIS, which is paid on top of OAS.

If you have lived in another country, mention it. Years in a country with a social security agreement may help you qualify, either for OAS or for a pension from that country.

Before you leave Canada for more than 6 months, tell Service Canada. Unless you lived in Canada for at least 20 years after age 18, OAS may stop while you are away.

Who to contact

Common questions

How much is OAS in 2026?

From October to December 2026, the maximum OAS pension is $762.50 a month for ages 65 to 74 and $838.75 a month for ages 75 and older. Your amount may be lower if you lived in Canada fewer than 40 years after 18 or have high income.

Do I have to apply for Old Age Security?

Often not. Most people get a letter around their 64th birthday saying they are enrolled automatically. If no letter arrives within a month after your 64th birthday, contact Service Canada.

How many years do you need to live in Canada to get OAS?

At least 10 years after age 18 if you live in Canada, or 20 years if you live abroad. A full pension needs 40 years. With fewer, you may get a partial pension.

Does OAS go up at 75?

Yes. Your OAS goes up by 10% automatically the month after you turn 75.

Is it worth delaying OAS to 70?

Each month you delay adds 0.6%, up to 36% at 70. But you cannot get GIS while you delay, so delaying is usually not a good idea if your income is low.

Is OAS taxable?

Yes. OAS is taxable income and is shown on your T4A(OAS) slip. You can ask Service Canada to deduct tax each month.

What income stops OAS?

Based on your 2025 net income, OAS stops completely when that income is $152,062 or more (age 65 to 74) or $157,923 or more (75 and older). Repayment of part of your OAS starts when 2025 net income is over $93,454.

Can I get OAS if I move outside Canada?

Yes, if you lived in Canada for at least 20 years after age 18. Otherwise, payments stop after 6 months outside Canada.

Sources

  1. Old Age Security: Payment amounts (Government of Canada)
  2. Old Age Security: Do you qualify (Government of Canada)
  3. Old Age Security: How much you could receive (Government of Canada)
  4. Old Age Security: Apply (Government of Canada)
  5. Old Age Security: When to start your pension (Government of Canada)
  6. Old Age Security: Receiving your pension (Government of Canada)
  7. Old Age Security: Request a reconsideration (Government of Canada)
  8. T4A(OAS), Statement of Old Age Security (Canada Revenue Agency)
  9. Contact Old Age Security (Government of Canada)

Related guides

Back to all guides