Old Age Security (OAS) Payment Dates in 2026

The Old Age Security (OAS) pension benefit is meant to help Canadian seniors cover their basic living expenses, like food and shelter. Knowing when to expect your OAS payments can help you budget and prepare for your monthly bills. 

In this guide, we’ll provide the 2026 payment dates, explain who’s eligible and how much you can get, and answer all of your other OAS questions. 

OAS Payment Dates in 2026

Here are the OAS payment dates for 2026:

• January 28, 2026

• February 25, 2026

• March 27, 2026

• April 28, 2026

• May 27, 2026

• June 26, 2026

• July 29, 2026

• August 27, 2026

• September 25, 2026

• October 28, 2026

• November 26, 2026

• December 22, 2026 

You can receive your OAS payments the month after you turn 65, or you can choose a date you want to start.

Payments usually arrive within the last week of the month and are typically paid on the same day as the Canadian Pension Plan (CPP). The fastest way to receive your payments is through direct deposit. You can also choose to get a cheque in the mail. 

To keep up with the cost of inflation, OAS payments are adjusted each quarter. 

What is Old Age Security (OAS)?

Old Age Security (OAS) is a pension program provided by the federal government and available to seniors 65 and over who meet the legal status and residency requirements in Canada. 

The OAS benefit is funded through general government tax revenues, meaning no one pays into the program directly. You may be eligible for OAS even if you didn’t work in Canada. 

In addition to the OAS pension, the program includes other benefits, including:  

• Guaranteed Income Supplement (GIS). An additional monthly payment is available to eligible low-income seniors. Unlike the OAS pension payment, the GIS is not considered taxable income.  

• Allowance. If you’re between 60 and 64 years and your spouse or common-law partner receives OAS and the GIS, you might be eligible for the Allowance until you turn 65. 

• Allowance to survivors. If you’re between 60 and 64 and you are a widow living on a low income, you might be eligible for the survivor allowance. The benefit stops when you turn 65.

Who is Eligible for OAS?

To be eligible for OAS, you must meet the following requirements: 

• Be 65 years or older

• Be a Canadian citizen or legal resident 

• Have lived in Canada for at least 10 years after age 18 (if you live in Canada)

• Have lived in Canada for at least 20 years after age 18 (if you live outside of Canada)

Remember, employment doesn’t affect your eligibility.

How Much is OAS in 2026?

OAS payments depend on age, residency, and income.

At age 75, OAS increases automatically by 10% compared to the base amount at 65. 

Living outside of Canada can also impact your OAS payments. You need to live in Canada for at least 20 years after you turn 18 to get OAS payments. You might be eligible for a partial pension if you’ve lived in Canada for less than 40 years after age 18.

Maximum OAS amounts

The table below shows maximum payments based on your income and situation for April to June 2026. Payments are adjusted each quarter based on inflation. 

OAS increases and inflation adjustments

The OAS benefit is adjusted every quarter in January, April, July, and October based on changes to the Consumer Price Index (CPI). 

The CPI measures how consumer goods change over time and helps to reflect cost-of-living increases. 

When the cost of living goes up, monthly payments will increase. 

Your OAS payments will not decrease if the cost of living falls.  

Is OAS taxable?

OAS is considered taxable income. 

If your income is above the threshold set by the government, your OAS might be reduced through the recovery tax (clawback).  

Unlike the OAS pension payment, the GIS is not considered taxable income.  

OAS Clawback (Important)

If you make over a certain amount of income each year, known as your “net world income,” the government will reduce the amount of OAS you receive. This is called a “clawback” or a “recovery tax.” 

At what income does OAS get clawed back?

Each year, the government sets an income threshold. For every dollar of income you make over the threshold, your pension is reduced by 15 cents. The more money you make, the more your OAS payments are reduced. If your income is high enough, OAS can be fully eliminated.  

For example, OAS payments from July 2026 to June 2027 have a minimum income recovery threshold of $93,454. If your 2025 income was more than this amount, you'll have to repay part of your OAS pension.

If you’re between 65 to 74 years and make more than $152,062, you won’t receive an OAS payment. If you’re 75 years and older, you won’t receive an OAS payment if you make over $157,923.

How is the clawback calculated?

If your income is higher than the threshold and you want to calculate your recovery tax, follow these steps: 

1. Find your net income for the year

2. Subtract the OAS threshold amount  

3. Multiply the amount over the threshold by 15%

For example, 

1. Your net income is $98,000

2. $98,000 - $93,454 (OAS threshold) = $4,546

3. $4,546 x 0.15 = $681.90

Your OAS will be reduced by $681.90 for the year. 

Ways retirees may reduce OAS clawbacks

To avoid Old Age Security clawbacks, you can try to manage your taxable income to keep it below the annual threshold amount. For example, you might withdraw money from a tax-free savings account (TFSA) instead of taxable investments to avoid increasing your taxable income. Or you might consider income-splitting with your spouse to help lower your net income.

What is the Guaranteed Income Supplement (GIS)?

The Guaranteed Income Supplement (GIS) is an additional tax-free benefit for low-income seniors. Eligibility is based on income, marital status, and whether your spouse or partner received OAS or GIS.   

You’ll receive GIS payments at the same time as your OAS payment.

OAS vs CPP: What's the Difference?

Old Age Security and the Canada Pension Plan are two of the most important sources of retirement income for Canadians, but they work very differently.

The biggest difference is that OAS is based primarily on your age and how long you've lived in Canada, while CPP is based on how much you've contributed during your working years. OAS is funded through general government tax revenues, whereas CPP is funded through contributions made by employees, employers, and self-employed workers.

Can You Receive OAS and CPP at the Same Time?

Yes. If you're eligible for both programs, you can receive OAS and CPP simultaneously. In fact, many Canadian retirees rely on a combination of OAS, CPP, workplace pensions, personal savings, and investments to fund their retirement.

OAS and CPP payments are generally issued on the same dates each month, making it easier to manage your retirement income and budget.

Which Benefit Pays More?

The answer depends on your circumstances.

Old Age Security payments are relatively standardized and based mainly on age, residency, and income. CPP payments vary significantly because they're calculated using your contribution history. Someone who contributed the maximum amount to CPP for many years may receive substantially more than someone with a shorter or lower-income work history.

Is CPP Subject to a Clawback?

Unlike Old Age Security, CPP benefits are not reduced because of your income. OAS includes a recovery tax (often called the OAS clawback) for higher-income seniors, which can reduce or eliminate payments if your income exceeds certain thresholds.

Both OAS and CPP are considered taxable income and may affect your overall tax bill in retirement.

The table below summarizes the key differences between OAS and CPP.

How to Apply for OAS

In many cases, you’ll be automatically enrolled in OAS if the government has enough information about your eligibility, and you can expect to receive an enrollment letter around your 64th birthday. If you haven’t received a letter a month after your birthday, you may need to apply on your own. 

You can apply online through your My Service Canada Account (MSCA). You can also apply by mail or in person using the Application for the OAS and the GIS form.  

To speed up the application process, gather all necessary paperwork, including: 

• Social Insurance Number (SIN) and date of birth for you and your spouse or partner. 

• Residency history since age 18

• Date you want your pension to start

You’ll also need to provide residency and financial information for you and your spouse, including: 

• Where you’ve lived the last 2 years

• Income for the last 2 years, if you haven’t filed your taxes

• Information about a reduction in employment or pension income in the last 2 years

• Income earned in another country 

• Banking details to sign up for direct deposit 

After applying, you’ll get a decision  letter in the mail telling you if your application was accepted, denied, or if you need to provide more information. You can track your application in MSCA. 

What to Do if Your OAS Payment is Late

If you don’t receive your payment by the due date, wait one to two business days and log into your MSCA account to verify your banking details and other information. Finally, you can contact Service Canada at 1-800-277-9914 if your payment is still missing.

Tips for Managing Retirement Income

There’s little room for budgetary changes when you’re living on a fixed retirement income. To help you stay on top of your finances, consider these practical tips: 

• Create or review your budget. Track your income and expenses regularly to stay on top of spending.  

• Monitoring your credit. Checking your credit score regularly helps you understand your financial health and detect errors and fraud early. You can use the Borrowell app to monitor your credit and get access to your free Equifax credit score each week.   

• Time your benefits. Deferring CPP or OAS can help you manage taxable income and reduce the risk of clawbacks. 

• Build your emergency savings. A cash buffer helps cover unexpected costs without selling investments or taking on debt. 

The Bottom Line

Old Age Security is an important benefit for Canadian seniors, providing a stable source of income to help cover basic living expenses. Keeping track of OAS payment dates can help you plan your budget, manage bills, and avoid running out of cash between payments.