If you are considering retirement or are already retired, it is important to familiarize yourself with the benefits that may be available to you from the Government of Canada.
You can read further details about the programs highlighted below on the Government of Canada website. Retirees are encouraged to use the services available online to get the most timely information as well as to avoid lineups and reduce mail delays.
The Old Age Security program
The program helps provide older Canadians with greater income security in their senior years.
Benefits under the OAS program include: the basic OAS pension, paid to all individuals aged 65 and older who meet the residence requirements; the Guaranteed Income Supplement (GIS), for low-income recipients of the OAS pension; and the Allowances, for low-income Canadians aged 60 to 64 who are the spouses or common-law partners of GIS recipients, or who are widows or widowers.
Maximum payments and income thresholds change periodically; the thresholds for January to March 2026 are listed at the bottom of this page.
Online application
The quickest and easiest way to apply for the OAS program benefits is online, through
In MSCA, clients can apply for the OAS (Old Age Security) pension, the Guaranteed Income Supplement (GIS), the Allowance and the Allowance for the Survivor.
Clients can use MSCA to access a number of self-service options while avoiding mail delays and waiting in line. The site can be used by clients to: manage their personal information; submit and view supporting documents for their OAS application; and access their tax slips for the previous six years.
How to apply
For many OAS programs, clients are automatically enrolled. Since automatic enrolment was introduced, more than 2.1 million Canadians have received OAS without having to apply. Today, about 46% of seniors receive OAS through automatic enrolment.
Individuals do not need to apply if they receive a letter from Service Canada in the month after they turned 64 years old informing them that they were selected for automatic enrolment. However, if they wish to defer their OAS pension, they may do so by accessing their My Service Canada Account.
Individuals must apply in the following situations:
- They receive a letter from Service Canada in the month after they turned 64 years old informing them that they could be eligible for the OAS pension. They will need to apply for their OAS pension as soon as possible by applying online through MSCA.
- They did not receive a letter from Service Canada in the month after they turned 64 years old and they wish to start receiving their OAS pension or the GIS (if eligible) at age 65. The quickest and easiest way to apply is online, through their My Service Canada Account. If they have already reached the age of 65 and they wish to start their OAS pension or GIS immediately, they should apply as soon as possible so they do not lose any benefits. Service Canada may be able to give them a retroactive payment for up to 11 months from the date their application is received.
- They receive a letter from Service Canada, but the information needs to be updated.
Deferring
In deciding when to apply for their OAS pension, individuals should consider their personal health and financial situations. Individuals can defer receiving their OAS pension for up to 60 months after the date they become eligible for an OAS pension (up to the age of 70). Delaying their pension increases their monthly payment by 0.6% per month.
If an individual has a low income and qualifies for the GIS, there is no benefit to delaying the start of their OAS pension.
Use the to help you decide when to start your benefits. The estimator takes only 5 to 10 minutes to complete and will help you find out how much money you can get from OAS benefits.
Other considerations
To ensure the timely renewal of their GIS and other benefits, older Canadians are encouraged to file their Income Tax and Benefit Return with the Canada Revenue Agency by April 30.
Each year, Service Canada reviews your benefit amount based on the information provided in your federal tax return. If you do not file your taxes by April 30, your GIS payments could be affected.
Canada Pension Program
In addition to the above, you can use MSCA toapply to begin to receive your You must be at least 60 years old and have made at least one valid contribution to the Canada Pension Program (CPP). Visit the website for all details on when and how to apply.
Maximum payment and income thresholds
Maximum payment and income thresholds for the period of January 2026 to March 2026. Please ensure you visit the website to receive the latest payment and threshold information for each pension and benefit.
| Your situation | Your annual net world income in 2024 must be | Maximum monthly paymentamount |
| Aged 65 to 74 | less than $148,451 | up to $742.31 |
| Aged 75 or over | less than $154,196 | up to $816.54 |
| Your situation | Your annual net income must be | Maximum monthlypayment amount |
| Single, widowed or divorced | less than $22,488 | up to $1,108.74 |
| Your spouse or common-law partner receives a full OAS pension | less than $29,712 (combined income ofcouple) | up to $667.41 |
| Your spouse or common-law partner receives the Allowance | less than $41,616 (combined income ofcouple) | up to $667.41 |
| Your spouse or common-law partner does not receive an OAS pension or the Allowance | less than $53,904 (combined income of couple) | up to $1,108.74 |
| Your situation | Your annual net income must be | Maximum monthlypayment amount |
| Your spouse or common-law partner receives the GIS and the full OAS pension | less than $41,616 (combined income ofcouple) | up to $1,409.72 |
| Your situation | Your annual net income must be | Maximum monthlypayment amount |
| You are a surviving spouse orcommon-law partner | less than $30,312 | up to $1,680.47 |