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Partial OAS and years in Canada

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A partial OAS pension is paid when you have lived in Canada for less than 40 years after age 18. You get 1/40 of the full pension for each full year of residence. You need at least 10 years to qualify while living in Canada, or 20 years if you live outside Canada.

Key facts

Years for a full OAS pension
40 years in Canada after age 18
Partial pension rate
1/40 of the full pension for each year in Canada after age 18
Minimum years if you live in Canada
10 years after age 18
Minimum years if you live outside Canada
20 years after age 18
Help from another country
A social security agreement may count time in that country to help you qualify

What is a partial OAS pension?

Old Age Security (OAS) is based on how long you have lived in Canada since you turned 18. A full pension needs 40 years. If you have fewer than 40 years, you may get a partial pension instead.

The rule is simple. You get 1/40 of the full pension for each year you lived in Canada after age 18. For example, someone with 27 years gets 27/40 of the full pension, which is 67.5% of the full amount. The full amount is reviewed every January, April, July and October to keep up with the cost of living, and your partial pension follows it.

How many years in Canada do you need for OAS?

To get any OAS while you live in Canada, you need at least 10 years of residence in Canada after age 18. You must also be a Canadian citizen or legal resident when your OAS is approved.

To get OAS while you live outside Canada, you need at least 20 years of residence in Canada after age 18, and you must have been a Canadian citizen or legal resident on the day you left Canada.

Time working outside Canada for a Canadian employer can count as residence in some cases. Service Canada says this applies if you returned to Canada within 6 months after the job ended, or if you turned 65 while still working abroad and kept your residence in Canada.

Can years in another country count toward OAS?

Yes, they can help you qualify. Canada has social security agreements with a number of countries. If you lived or worked in one of them, your time there may be counted to help you meet the 10-year or 20-year minimum.

The agreement helps you qualify, but it does not raise the amount. Your OAS payment is still based only on your years of residence in Canada after age 18. The other country may also pay you its own pension under its rules.

If you are short of 10 years in Canada, ask the International Social Security Agreements line (listed below) whether an agreement covers the country where you lived or worked.

Does delaying OAS add more years?

You can delay the start of your OAS for up to 5 years after you turn 65. Each month you wait raises the payment by 0.6%, up to 36% at age 70.

Service Canada says that once your OAS starts, any more time you live in Canada will not increase your payment. This means years you live in Canada before your OAS starts can count, but years after it starts cannot. If you are close to another full year, ask Service Canada to explain your options before you choose a start date.

While you are not receiving OAS, you cannot get the Guaranteed Income Supplement (GIS). GIS amounts also do not go up when you delay OAS.

Can you get GIS with a partial OAS pension?

Yes, if you live in Canada and your income is low enough. GIS is paid only to people who receive OAS. The law has a formula that can raise the GIS for some people with a partial pension to make up part of the gap. Service Canada works out the amount. See our GIS guide for the income limits.

Sponsored immigrants usually cannot get GIS while their sponsorship is in effect, with some exceptions, such as the sponsor's death.

How to prove your years in Canada

Service Canada asks where you have lived since age 18 when you apply. It may ask for proof later. It helps to gather records before you apply.

  1. Make a list of every place you lived since age 18, with the dates you arrived in and left Canada.
  2. Gather records that show you lived here. These can include passports with stamps, immigration papers, tax returns and notices of assessment, leases or property tax bills, and bank or utility statements.
  3. For long absences, note the reason. Working abroad for a Canadian employer may count, as explained above.
  4. If you lived or worked in a country with a social security agreement, list the country, dates and your foreign insurance number if you have one.
  5. Apply online in My Service Canada Account or with form ISP-3550. If you apply from outside Canada, you must use the paper form and send it to the Service Canada office in the last province or territory where you lived.
  6. Keep copies of everything you send.

What happens next, and how long does it take?

Service Canada reviews your residence history and sends you a decision letter. Check it carefully, including how many years of residence your pension is based on. If this is not clear, call Service Canada and ask. Compare the answer with your own records.

What if you disagree with the years Service Canada counted?

Ask for a reconsideration in writing within 90 days of receiving the decision letter. Explain which years you think are missing and send proof. If you still disagree, you can appeal to the Social Security Tribunal. See our guides on asking for a decision to be reviewed and appealing to the Social Security Tribunal.

Things people often miss

Where to get free help

This guide is general information, not legal advice. In Ontario, community legal clinics help people with OAS residence disputes at no cost. Legal aid offices in other provinces may also help. Your Member of Parliament's constituency office can ask Service Canada about your file.

Who to contact

Common questions

How is a partial OAS pension calculated?

You get 1/40 of the full pension for each year you lived in Canada after age 18. With 20 years, you get 20/40, or half, of the full pension.

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

At least 10 years after age 18 if you live in Canada, or 20 years if you live outside Canada. You need 40 years for the full pension.

Do years before age 18 count for OAS?

No. Only years of residence after your 18th birthday count.

Can I get OAS if I lived in Canada for less than 10 years?

Possibly, if you lived or worked in a country that has a social security agreement with Canada. Time there may help you reach the minimum. Your payment is still based on your years in Canada.

Will my OAS go up if I keep living in Canada after it starts?

No. Service Canada says that once your OAS starts, more time in Canada does not increase your payment.

Can I get GIS if I only get a partial OAS?

Yes, if you live in Canada and your income is low enough. GIS is only paid to people who receive OAS.

What proof of residence does Service Canada want for OAS?

Service Canada may ask for proof after you apply. Passports, immigration papers, tax records, leases and bank statements can all help show when you lived in Canada.

What if Service Canada counted the wrong number of years?

Ask for a reconsideration in writing within 90 days of receiving the decision, with proof of the missing years.

Sources

  1. Old Age Security - Do you qualify (Government of Canada)
  2. Old Age Security - How much you could receive (Government of Canada)
  3. Old Age Security - When to start your pension (Government of Canada)
  4. Old Age Security - Apply, delay, or change your start date (Government of Canada)
  5. Lived or living outside Canada - Pensions and benefits: Eligibility (Government of Canada)
  6. Lived or living outside Canada - Pensions and benefits: Overview (Government of Canada)
  7. Contact International Social Security Agreements (Government of Canada)
  8. Guaranteed Income Supplement - Do you qualify (Government of Canada)
  9. Old Age Security Act (R.S.C., 1985, c. O-9) (Justice Laws Website, Government of Canada)
  10. Request a reconsideration - Old Age Security pension and benefits (Government of Canada)

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