Old Age Security (OAS) is a benefit you may be eligible to receive if you are 65 years of age or older and have lived in Canada for at least 10 years — even if you have never worked in Canada. If you wish to receive your OAS pension while living outside Canada, you need at least 20 years of residence in Canada since turning 18.
1. Old Age Security (OAS) Pension
The Old Age Security (OAS) pension is a monthly payment. In most cases, Service Canada will be able to automatically enroll you in the OAS pension and will notify you that you have been automatically enrolled. However, in some cases, you will need to apply for Old Age Security if the system does not have sufficient information to enroll you automatically.
You can receive your first OAS pension payment the month after you turn 65. If you decide to defer your first payment, you will receive a higher monthly OAS pension amount for every month you delay.
The amount of your OAS pension depends on your income and how long you have lived in Canada, or in certain countries that have a social security agreement with Canada, after the age of 18. If you have lived or currently live in a country that does not have a social security agreement with Canada, you must apply for benefits directly with that country's social security agency, in addition to applying for Canadian benefits and pension (as of June 2022, Vietnam does not yet have a social security agreement with Canada).
The OAS pension is taxable income in Canada.
You may be eligible for a one-time payment for older seniors if you:
- have been eligible for the OAS pension since June 2021, and
- were born on or before June 30, 1947.
To apply for the OAS pension, you will need the following documents:
- Application for the OAS and the GIS (ISP-3550) (please read the instructions carefully while completing the form)
- Certified true copies of the required personal identification documents
Once your file is complete, you can submit it either online or by mail to a Service Canada office.
2. Guaranteed Income Supplement (GIS)
The Guaranteed Income Supplement (GIS) is a benefit you may be eligible to receive if you are an Old Age Security recipient with a low income. The GIS is a monthly payment if you:
- are 65 years of age or older;
- live in Canada;
- are receiving the Old Age Security (OAS) pension;
- have an income below the maximum annual income threshold for GIS, based on your marital status.
As with the OAS pension, the Government may not have enough information to enroll you automatically. As a result, you may need to apply for the Guaranteed Income Supplement (GIS). The GIS application is filed at the same time as the OAS pension application. However, if you live outside Canada for more than 6 months, you will no longer be eligible for the GIS.
Your first GIS payment is made the month after you turn 65. You must file your taxes on time each year to avoid any interruption to your payments. The GIS amount you receive depends on your income and whether you are married or living common-law.
3. Allowance for Spouses Aged 60 to 64
This is a benefit for the spouse or common-law partner of a person receiving the Guaranteed Income Supplement (GIS). The Allowance is a non-taxable payment available if the spouse or common-law partner:
- is 60 to 64 years old;
- is a Canadian citizen or has legal resident status in Canada;
- has resided in Canada for at least 10 years since turning 18;
- has a combined annual income below the maximum annual income threshold for the Allowance (as of June 2022, the maximum combined income threshold for both spouses is $36,384).
If you are receiving this Allowance and your spouse or common-law partner who was receiving GIS passes away, you will be automatically converted to the Allowance for the Survivor.
You should apply for the Allowance for a spouse 6 to 11 months before turning 60. Payments will begin in whichever of the following months is latest:
- the month after you meet the eligibility requirements;
- the month after you turn 60;
- the month your spouse or common-law partner becomes entitled to the GIS; or
- up to 11 months before the date the Government of Canada receives your application (if you apply after turning 60).
The amount of the Allowance you can receive depends on your marital status and your previous year's income (or, for a couple, the combined income of both spouses), up to a maximum of $1,231.87.
The procedure for applying for the Allowance for a spouse of a GIS recipient includes:
- Allowance or the Allowance for the Survivor (ISP3008) (please read the instructions carefully when completing this form)
- Statement of Income for the Guaranteed Income Supplement, the Allowance or the Allowance for the Survivor form (ISP3026)
- Certified true copies of the personal identification documents required by Service Canada
- If you are being assisted by another person for this application, you must also provide Consent to Communicate Information to an Authorized Person (ISP1603) to authorize them to communicate with Service Canada on your behalf
If you are applying for the OAS pension and the GIS on behalf of someone else because they lack mental capacity or cannot manage their own affairs, you will need:
- A Certificate of Incapability form (ISP-3505) from a medical professional;
- An Agreement to administer benefits under the Old Age Security Act and/or the Canada Pension Plan by a Private Trustee form (ISP-3506) (if you are an individual).
Once your file is complete, you may submit the above documents in person or by mail to the Service Canada office nearest to where you live or previously lived.
4. Allowance for the Survivor
The Allowance for the Survivor is a benefit for the spouse or common-law partner of a GIS recipient who has unexpectedly passed away. The surviving partner may receive the Allowance for the Survivor if they:
- are between 60 and 64 years old;
- had a spouse or common-law partner receiving GIS who has passed away, and they have not remarried or entered into a new common-law relationship;
- have an annual income below the maximum annual income threshold set for the Allowance for the Survivor (as of June 2022, this threshold is $26,496). The monthly Allowance for the Survivor you may receive can be up to $1,468.47.
5. Appealing a Decision
If your application for the OAS pension, GIS, or an Allowance is denied, you may request a reconsideration of the decision within 90 days of receiving the notification letter from Service Canada.
