Seniors -> Old Age Security pension

Old Age Security Pension (OAS)

The Canadian Old Age Security Pension is available to Canadian citizens age 65 or older, who have lived in Canada for at least 10 years after age 18.  For Canadian seniors living outside Canada, the OAS is still available for those who were Canadian citizens or legal residents at the time they left the country, as long as they lived at least 20 years in Canada after age 18.  Seniors must apply to receive the OAS.  This should be done 6 months before you turn 65.  For contact numbers or application forms, see  Applying for the Old Age Security Pension on the Service Canada website.

Service Canada also provides the ability for recipients of OAS or CPP benefits to view and update their personal information online.  

Canada has social security agreements with many other countries, so those not qualifying for the OAS as above may still qualify for some type of pension.  See the International Benefits information on the Service Canada website for further information.

OAS monthly payments are adjusted quarterly, based on changes in the Consumer Price Index.  For current average and maximum payment amounts, see the Old Age Security Payment Rates on the Service Canada website.

OAS payments are considered taxable income.

The Allowance is available to 60 to 64 year old spouses/common-law partners of OAS pensioners who receive the Guaranteed Income Supplement (GIS), when 2010 combined annual income of both spouses (again, excluding OAS and GIS) is less than $29,568.

The Allowance must be applied for.  For more information, see Allowance Program on the Service Canada website.

OAS Clawback

High income seniors must pay back all or a portion of their OAS if their annual income exceeds a certain amount.  If 2010 net income before adjustments is greater than $$66,733 ($67,668 for 2011) then you will have to repay 15% of the excess over this amount, to a maximum of the total amount of OAS received.  For more information, see the Human Resources and Social Development Canada (HRSDC) web page Repayment of OAS Benefits.  Use our Income Tax Planning Calculators to determine if your OAS will be "clawed back".

Low-income seniors living in Canada, who are receiving (or are eligible to receive) the Old Age Security Pension (OAS) may also be eligible to receive the Guaranteed Income Supplement (GIS).

To contact Service Canada re Old Age Security questions, see the Service Canada Contact Income Security Programs web page.