OAS Benefit Calculator

Old Age Security (OAS) is a federal benefit paid to Canadians 65 and older who lived in Canada at least 10 years after age 18 (20 years if you reside outside Canada). Unlike CPP or QPP, OAS is not contribution-based: it depends only on the length of your Canadian residency. For 2026, the maximum monthly amount at age 65 is $742.31 and it rises to $816.54 from age 75 thanks to the automatic 10% increase introduced in 2022.

Partial pension (less than 40 years residency)

If you have less than 40 years of Canadian residency after age 18, you receive a partial pension prorated on residency. For example, 30 years gives 30/40 = 75% of the maximum. The minimum is 10 years (residing in Canada) or 20 years (residing abroad). If you live abroad with less than 20 years, you'll receive OAS for only 6 months after leaving before it stops.

Deferral premium: 0.6% per month up to age 70

Deferring your OAS application past 65 increases the pension by 0.6% per month, or 7.2% per year, up to a maximum of 36% at age 70. Deferring past age 70 adds nothing. Deferring makes sense if you're still working, have other sufficient income at 65, or are in good health and expect to live past about 82 (the typical breakeven age for deferral).

Coordination with CPP, QPP, and GIS

OAS is completely separate from CPP (QPP in Quebec). You can claim one at 65 and defer the other. OAS is taxable at your marginal rate and triggers the 15% clawback above the $95,323 threshold (2026). The Guaranteed Income Supplement (GIS), paid on top of OAS for low-income retirees, is tax-free and is auto-renewed annually via your tax return.

Lived part of life outside Canada

If you lived in a country with which Canada has a social security agreement (United States, France, United Kingdom, over 50 others), residency in that country can count toward the 10-year minimum (but not toward increasing the amount). This allows recent immigrants to Canada to qualify for partial OAS sooner.