Old Age Security (OAS) 2025: Payment , Date & Eligibility

If you’re nearing retirement, you may wonder how much monthly income the federal government will provide through Old Age Security (OAS). For 2025, the maximum payment is $727.67 per month for ages 65–74, but a clawback can reduce that if your income exceeds $86,912.

Maximum monthly OAS payment (2025, age 65–74): $727.67 ·
Age of eligibility: 65 ·
Annual income threshold for OAS clawback (2025): $86,912

Six key facts, one takeaway: the 2025 payment amounts and income threshold define what most seniors will receive, unless future indexation changes the picture.

What is the amount of the Old Age Security pension for a single person?

Maximum monthly payment for 2025

• For the July–September 2025 quarter, the maximum monthly OAS payment is $727.67 for seniors aged 65 – 74 and $800.44 for those aged 75 and over, according to RCGT (Canadian accounting firm).
• These amounts replace the previous quarter’s rates and reflect the quarterly indexation tied to the Consumer Price Index. Canada.ca reports that for the 2024 income year the monthly maximum was up to $743.05 (65–74) and $817.36 (75+), but the 2025 quarterly rates are lower because of price adjustments (Canada.ca – official government portal).

How the amount is calculated

• OAS is based on your age, how many years you lived in Canada after turning 18, and your income (Canada.ca – official government portal).
• The pension amount is adjusted quarterly in January, April, July, and October to keep up with living costs. For the July–September 2026 quarter, Canada.ca indicates a 1.2% increase (Canada.ca – official government portal).

What this means: the actual OAS cheque you receive depends on your income and when you apply. The maximum is not automatic—it requires a clean record with no clawback and full residency.

What are the payment dates for Old Age Security?

Regular monthly payment schedule

• OAS is paid monthly, usually on the third-to-last business day of the month. Canada.ca publishes the official calendar each year (Canada.ca – official benefits calendar).
• For example, the 2025 schedule includes payments in January, February, etc. The exact dates can be found on the government benefits calendar page.

2026 payment dates

• The 2026 schedule is not yet published, but the pattern (last business day before month-end) will continue. Canada.ca updates the calendar well in advance (Canada.ca – official benefits calendar).
• If you need the next check date, check the official calendar about two months before the quarter ends.

The catch: payment dates are consistent but not intuitive for new recipients. Mark your calendar based on the third-last business day rule, not the first of the month.

Who is eligible for Old Age Security?

Age and residency requirements

• You must be 65 years or older (Canada.ca – official government portal).
• You must have lived in Canada for at least 10 years after age 18 if you live in Canada at the time of application. If you live outside Canada, the requirement increases to 20 years (Canada.ca – official government portal).

Citizenship or legal status

• You must be a Canadian citizen or a legal resident when your application is approved (Canada.ca – official government portal).
• Permanent residents who meet the residency rule are also eligible.

The pattern: eligibility is generous for long-term residents but tricky for newcomers. Plan to verify your years of residence through Service Canada well before age 65.

How does the OAS clawback work?

Repayment threshold

• If your net annual world income exceeds $86,912 (2025 income year), you must repay part of your OAS. The threshold is different for the July 2026–June 2027 period, based on 2025 income: $148,451 for ages 65–74 and $154,196 for ages 75+ (Canada.ca – official government portal).
• Wealthsimple reports that for OAS paid from July 2025 to June 2026, the threshold is $90,997 (Wealthsimple – financial education platform).

How much is clawed back

• The clawback amount is 15% of the income that exceeds the threshold (Wealthsimple – financial education platform).
• KPMG notes that full OAS is eliminated when net income reaches $152,062 for ages 65–74 and $157,923 for ages 75+ (based on 2025 data) (KPMG – global accounting and advisory firm).

The implication: high-income retirees effectively fund their own OAS reduction. Deferring OAS or splitting income with a lower-earning spouse can keep more of the benefit.

How do I apply for Old Age Security?

Online application process

1. Sign in to your My Service Canada Account (MSCA) or create one.
2. Select the OAS application option and complete the online form.
3. Upload required documents (SIN, proof of citizenship, proof of residence).
4. Submit and wait for confirmation. Processing can take several weeks.

• You can apply up to 12 months before you turn 65.

Documents required

• You need your Social Insurance Number (SIN), proof of Canadian citizenship or legal status, and proof of residence (e.g., bank statements or tax records) (Canada.ca – official government portal).

Automatic enrollment

• Many seniors are automatically enrolled if they meet the eligibility criteria and have filed taxes in the year they turn 64. Service Canada sends a letter confirming enrollment (Canada.ca – official government portal).
• If you don’t receive a letter by age 64, apply manually to avoid delays.

Why this matters: even if you’re automatically enrolled, confirm your status online at age 64. A missed letter could cost you up to $727.67 per month.

For Canadian seniors planning retirement, the decision is straightforward: factor in the clawback threshold and 2026 indexation, or risk losing a portion of your OAS to the recovery tax. The catch is that high earners face the biggest reduction, and without proactive income splitting or deferral, the monthly cheque shrinks faster than many expect. For a senior earning $100,000, the choice is clear: adjust your retirement income strategy to keep the full $727.67, or lose over $1,900 a year to the clawback.