OAS Payment Dates 2026: Everything You Need to Know About Old Age Security

The Old Age Security (OAS) program is a monthly benefit for seniors in Canada. For anyone over the age of 65, OAS is meant to help with monthly expenses and maintain a proper level of financial stability during retirement.

For many, this OAS payment helps handle bills, groceries, and other various financial obligations. But it's important to understand when payments are made and how much will be received, so you can plan accordingly.

What are the OAS Payment Dates in 2026?

OAS payments continue to be issued monthly on the third-to-last business day of each month. The 2026 payment schedule follows the same predictable pattern to help you plan your finances throughout the year. Here are the confirmed 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

Note: If a payment date falls on a weekend or statutory holiday, Service Canada deposits the payment on the last business day before to ensure there are no delays in receiving your funds.

You can receive your OAS payments by mail or direct deposit. If you want to make sure you always get them on time, your best bet is to set up direct deposit with Service Canada. It's the fastest (and most reliable) way to get your funds.

How Much Can You Receive from OAS in 2026?

OAS payment amounts are adjusted quarterly in January, April, July, and October, based on the Consumer Price Index (CPI), to reflect changes in the cost of living. This ensures your benefits keep pace with inflation throughout the year.

Maximum OAS Payment Amounts for January to March 2026

Based on changes in the Consumer Price Index (CPI), OAS benefits increased by 0.3% for the January to March 2026 quarter, representing a 2.0% increase over the past year from January 2025 to January 2026.

The maximum monthly OAS pension amounts for the first quarter of 2026 are:

Understanding the Age 75+ Increase

In July 2022, the Old Age Security pension was permanently increased by 10% for seniors aged 75 and over. This significant enhancement continues in 2026 and reflects the government's recognition that older seniors often face higher healthcare costs and are more likely to have depleted their savings.

What this means:

• If you're between 65 and 74, you receive the standard OAS amount

• Once you turn 75, your monthly OAS payment automatically increases by 10%

• This increase is permanent and continues for the rest of your life

• You don't need to apply—the increase happens automatically when you turn 75

Example: A senior aged 74 receiving the maximum OAS of $742.31 per month would see their payment increase to $816.54 per month once they turn 75, an increase of approximately $74 per month or nearly $890 per year.

Quarterly Payment Adjustments

OAS payment amounts are reviewed and adjusted four times per year, in January, April, July, and October, to ensure they reflect cost of living increases as measured by the Consumer Price Index (CPI).

Important notes about quarterly adjustments:

• Monthly payment rates will increase if the cost of living goes up

• Monthly payment rates will not decrease if the cost of living goes down

• These adjustments are automatic. You don't need to do anything

This means your OAS payment may increase throughout 2026 as new quarterly adjustments are announced. Check the Service Canada website or your payment statements for updates on the April, July, and October 2026 amounts.

Other OAS Benefits for 2026

In addition to the Old Age Security pension, there are three other benefits available under the OAS program:

Guaranteed Income Supplement (GIS) - Maximum Monthly Amounts (January to March 2026):

Allowance (age 60 to 64):

Allowance for the Survivor (age 60 to 64):

Important Note: GIS, Allowance, and Allowance for the Survivor payments are not considered taxable income. Your benefit amount will be recalculated each July based on your net income in the previous calendar year.

What is OAS?

The Old Age Security (OAS) program is a monthly benefit the Government of Canada provides to help seniors with their living expenses. It's slightly different than the Canadian Pension Plan (CPP) because OAS doesn't require you to have worked or paid into a pension plan to qualify. Instead, OAS is based on other factors like your age, residency status in Canada, and income level.

Most Canadians over the age of 65 will qualify for OAS. The amount you receive depends on how long you've lived in Canada as an adult. To qualify for "full payments," you must have lived in Canada for at least 40 years after turning 18.

OAS has helped millions of seniors cover essential expenses like housing, food, and healthcare. For many, it serves as a stable source of income during retirement.

How to Apply for OAS

Applying for Old Age Security (OAS) is easy, but there are a few steps involved and things that you should do ahead of time to make it as seamless as possible.

First, the good news is that if you are turning 65, you should receive an automatic enrollment letter from Service Canada if they already have your information. If not, you'll need to apply for OAS on your own to start receiving payments.

Thankfully, the application can be completed online through your My Service Canada Account (MSCA) or by submitting a paper form. To apply, you'll need:

• Proof of identity

• Social Insurance Number (SIN)

• Details about your residency in Canada

It's best to apply for OAS up to 11 months before your 65th birthday because processing times can vary and may take a few months. If you're approved, your payments should begin the month after you turn 65.

If you're already 65 and haven't applied yet, you can still submit an application, but payments will only cover a limited retroactive period, which is why we can't stress enough that you should complete it as soon as possible to get the most out of your OAS benefit.

If you have questions about the process, contact Service Canada for assistance.

How OAS Works with Other Retirement Income

OAS is designed to complement other retirement income sources, like the Canada Pension Plan (CPP), private pensions, and personal savings.

You can receive OAS and CPP at the same time because they fall under separate programs. That's because CPP is based on your work history and contributions, whereas OAS is based on your age, residency, and income level.

Other things like employment income, RRSP withdrawals, and various retirement savings can also be used alongside OAS, but remember if your total income exceeds a certain threshold, you may face the OAS Clawback, which means a portion of your OAS payments will be reduced if your annual income is above the government-set limit. The limit is adjusted and different each year.

There's also the Guaranteed Income Supplement (GIS) which is available as additional support. GIS payments are calculated based on your annual income and can be received alongside OAS.

What were the OAS Payment Dates in 2025?

OAS payments were issued monthly, typically on the third-to-last business day of each month. The schedule was intentionally predictable so that it helped seniors plan their budgets and manage their expenses. For 2025, these were the expected OAS payment dates:

• January 29, 2025

• February 26, 2025

• March 27, 2025

• April 28, 2025

• May 28, 2025

• June 26, 2025

• July 29, 2025

• August 27, 2025

• September 25, 2025

• October 29, 2025

• November 26, 2025

• December 22, 2025

How Much Could You Receive from OAS in 2025?

Based on recent trends, the maximum OAS payment is expected to be around $691 per month in 2025. Of course, this is just an estimate for the time being, and the exact amount will depend on inflation adjustments made by the federal government.

The amount you receive from Old Age Security in 2025 depends on a few factors, like how long you've lived in Canada as an adult and whether you qualify for additional benefits.

Seniors who have lived in Canada for at least 40 years after turning 18 can qualify for the full amount. If you've lived in Canada for fewer years, your payment will be prorated based on your time in Canada.

The Guaranteed Income Supplement (GIS) provides additional support for low-income seniors. This benefit is available to Canadians who earn below a certain threshold and can add to their monthly income. Other OAS benefits include the Allowance for spouses of GIS recipients and the Allowance for the Survivor, which is meant to help widowed individuals.

If your income is higher, some or all of your OAS payments may be reduced through the OAS Clawback (more on that later).

FAQs About OAS Payments

Are OAS Payments Taxable?

Yes, OAS payments are considered taxable income. The amount you receive is added to your total income for the year, so it's subject to federal and provincial taxes just like most sources of income.

What is the OAS Clawback?

The OAS Clawback (also known as the OAS Recovery Tax) reduces your OAS payments if your annual income exceeds a set threshold. For 2024, this threshold was $90,997. For 2026, seniors aged 65 to 74 will see their OAS reduced if their annual net world income exceeds $148,451, while seniors aged 75 and over will see reductions if their income exceeds $154,196.

How much will OAS be in 2026?

For the January to March 2026 quarter, the maximum OAS payment is $742.31 per month for seniors aged 65 to 74, and $816.54 per month for seniors aged 75 and over. These amounts reflect a 0.3% quarterly increase and a 2.0% increase over the past year. Payment amounts are adjusted quarterly (in January, April, July, and October) based on the Consumer Price Index.

How much was OAS in 2025?

Based on current projections, the maximum OAS payment in 2025 is expected to be approximately $691 per month. However, the actual amount you receive may be different depending on factors like how long you've lived in Canada as an adult.

Will OAS increase in 2025 for seniors?

It's possible, but the exact amount will depend on inflation adjustments made by the federal government. OAS payments are typically adjusted to account for inflation, but the specific increase amount is hard to determine, unfortunately.

Will OAS increase in 2026 for seniors?

Yes, OAS benefits increased by 2.0% from January 2025 to January 2026. OAS payment amounts are reviewed and adjusted quarterly in January, April, July, and October based on the Consumer Price Index (CPI). If the cost of living continues to rise throughout 2026, seniors can expect additional increases in the April, July, and October quarters.

What is the new $1,200 benefit in Canada for seniors?

This is a one-time payment of $1,200 designed to help seniors manage increasing living costs due to inflation. This special financial assistance is separate from (and additional to) regular OAS payments.