Old Age Security

Old Age Security (OAS) is Canada’s non-contributory, residence-based pension for most people aged 65 and older. Funded from general revenues (not payroll contributions), OAS provides a monthly pension and income-tested supplements for low-income seniors. The program is administered by Employment and Social Development Canada and delivered through Service Canada.

At a glance — Old Age Security (OAS)

Type	Federal, non-contributory pension (general revenues)
Core benefits	OAS pension • Guaranteed Income Supplement (GIS) • Allowance • Allowance for the Survivor
Administration	Employment and Social Development Canada / Service Canada
Eligibility basics	Age 65+ • Canadian legal status • Adult residence in Canada (see details)
Official info	canada.ca/oas

OAS pension: eligibility

• Age: 65 or older.
• Status: Canadian citizen or legal resident at the time the application is approved.
• Residence:

Full pension typically requires 40 years of residence in Canada after age 18.

Partial pension is available with at least 10 years of residence in Canada after age 18 (for residents of Canada).

If living outside Canada, generally at least 20 years of Canadian residence after age 18 is needed.

• Periods of residence may be combined using Canada’s international social security agreements with partner countries.

Applying, deferring, and payment

• Enrollment: Many people are auto-enrolled; others must apply via Service Canada.
• Deferral: You can defer OAS up to 60 months after 65; each month of deferral increases the monthly amount (actuarial adjustment).
• Payment: Paid monthly; amounts are indexed quarterly to the Consumer Price Index (CPI).

Income-tested supplements

Guaranteed Income Supplement (GIS)

Non-taxable monthly top-up for low-income OAS pensioners living in Canada. Entitlement depends on marital status and net income from the previous year (and current-year estimates in some cases).

Allowance & Allowance for the Survivor

For low-income spouses/common-law partners aged 60–64 of OAS-GIS recipients, and for low-income survivors aged 60–64. Payments end at age 65 (when OAS/GIS may begin).

Recovery tax (“clawback”)

High-income seniors may have part or all of their OAS recovered through the OAS recovery tax when net income exceeds an annual threshold set in tax law. The recovery is assessed through the income-tax return.

Taxation and interaction with other programs

• The OAS pension is taxable income; GIS/Allowance are non-taxable.
• OAS/GIS interact with provincial/territorial benefits and income-tested credits; reporting changes promptly helps avoid under/over-payments.

Moving or time outside Canada

OAS has specific rules for payments outside Canada, residency changes, and return to Canada. International agreements can help meet eligibility or maintain payments abroad.

Administration and appeals

Service Canada handles applications, eligibility reviews, and payments. Reconsideration/appeal routes are available under program legislation; tax matters (recovery tax) are handled by the Canada Revenue Agency.

See also

• Canada Pension Plan • Employment and Social Development Canada • Service Canada • Canada Revenue Agency
• Taxation in Canada • Economy of Canada

External links (official)

• Old Age Security (overview & apply): https://www.canada.ca/en/services/benefits/publicpensions/cpp/old-age-security.html
• International social security agreements: https://www.canada.ca/en/services/benefits/publicpensions/cpp/international.html