--- title: "Old Age Security (OAS): payment dates and eligibility" url: "https://canadaservicemap.ca/services/oas" description: "Old Age Security (OAS) pension in Canada: handled by Service Canada (Employment and Social Development Canada). Next payment 28 October 2026." site: "Canada Service Map" author: "Mahmoud Halat" publisher: "Space & Story" lastReviewed: "2026-10-13" licence: "Built entirely from public data: open data and official government pages. Each record keeps the licence of its source, listed at https://canadaservicemap.ca/data." --- # Old Age Security (OAS): payment dates and eligibility Federal service · Seniors Compiled by Mahmoud Halat, checked 13 October 2026. Not a government website. The official page always has the final word. ## Short answer Old Age Security (OAS) is a monthly pension from age 65 for Canadian citizens and legal residents who have lived in Canada for at least 10 years since turning 18. Most people are enrolled automatically and get a letter around their 64th birthday. If not, apply online or by mail. From October to December 2026 the maximum is $762.50 a month at 65 to 74. Who handles it: [Service Canada (Employment and Social Development Canada)](https://canadaservicemap.ca/bodies/employment-and-social-development-canada). Handles it everywhere in Canada. ## Official links - [Old Age Security](https://www.canada.ca/en/services/benefits/publicpensions/old-age-security.html), checked 12 October 2026 ## Next payment Next payment: 28 October 2026. All dates: 28 January 2026, 25 February 2026, 27 March 2026, 28 April 2026, 27 May 2026, 26 June 2026, 29 July 2026, 27 August 2026, 25 September 2026, 28 October 2026, 26 November 2026, 22 December 2026. The same dates apply to the Guaranteed Income Supplement and the Allowance. Source: [canada.ca](https://www.canada.ca/en/services/benefits/calendar.html), checked 13 October 2026. Every benefit: [Benefit payment dates](https://canadaservicemap.ca/benefit-payment-dates#oas-canada). ## Who can apply - To get OAS while living in Canada you must be 65 or older, be a Canadian citizen or legal resident when your application is approved, and have lived in Canada for at least 10 years since age 18. Source: [canada.ca](https://www.canada.ca/en/services/benefits/publicpensions/old-age-security/eligibility.html), checked 13 October 2026. - Your yearly net income must be under $152,062 if you are 65 to 74, or under $157,923 if you are 75 or older. Working does not stop you from getting OAS, but high income does. Source: [canada.ca](https://www.canada.ca/en/services/benefits/publicpensions/old-age-security/eligibility.html), checked 13 October 2026. - If you have lived in Canada for less than 40 years after age 18, you may get a partial pension, worked out as years lived in Canada divided by 40. Source: [canada.ca](https://www.canada.ca/en/services/benefits/publicpensions/old-age-security/benefit-amount.html), checked 13 October 2026. ## Steps 1. Most people do not need to apply. If Service Canada has your information, it mails you an enrollment letter around your 64th birthday. If you have no letter one month after you turn 64, contact Service Canada. Source: [canada.ca](https://www.canada.ca/en/services/benefits/publicpensions/old-age-security/apply.html), checked 13 October 2026. 2. If you need to apply, or want to delay your start date, do it online in My Service Canada Account, or mail the paper form ISP-3550. People applying from outside Canada must use the paper form. Source: [canada.ca](https://www.canada.ca/en/services/benefits/publicpensions/old-age-security/apply.html), checked 13 October 2026. ## What you need - Have your spouse's SIN and date of birth, the places you have lived since 18, the start date you want, recent income details if you have not filed taxes, and your bank details for direct deposit. Source: [canada.ca](https://www.canada.ca/en/services/benefits/publicpensions/old-age-security/apply.html), checked 13 October 2026. ## Costs and amounts - OAS amounts go up each January, April, July and October to keep pace with the cost of living. They do not go down if prices fall. Source: [canada.ca](https://www.canada.ca/en/services/benefits/publicpensions/old-age-security/benefit-amount.html), checked 13 October 2026. ## How much you get - For October to December 2026: up to $762.50 a month at age 65 to 74, and up to $838.75 a month at 75 or older. Source: [canada.ca](https://www.canada.ca/en/services/benefits/publicpensions/old-age-security.html), checked 13 October 2026. ## How long it takes - Allow about 14 days for an online application and 120 days for a paper application by mail. Service Canada sends its decision by mail. Source: [canada.ca](https://www.canada.ca/en/services/benefits/publicpensions/old-age-security/after-apply.html), checked 13 October 2026. ## Good to know - If your net income is over $93,454 (2025 figure), you may have to repay part or all of your OAS through the recovery tax. Source: [canada.ca](https://www.canada.ca/en/services/benefits/publicpensions/old-age-security/benefit-amount.html), checked 13 October 2026. ## Questions people ask ### How much is Old Age Security for October to December 2026? The maximum is $762.50 a month if you are 65 to 74 and $838.75 a month if you are 75 or older. Your amount can be lower depending on your income and how many years you lived in Canada. Source: [canada.ca](https://www.canada.ca/en/services/benefits/publicpensions/old-age-security.html), checked 13 October 2026. ### Do I have to apply for OAS? Usually not. Service Canada enrolls most people automatically and tells them by mail. If a month has passed since your 64th birthday and you have no letter, you may need to apply. Source: [canada.ca](https://www.canada.ca/en/services/benefits/publicpensions/old-age-security.html), checked 13 October 2026. ### Should I delay my OAS pension? Each month you wait after 65 raises your payment by 0.6%, up to 36% more at 70. There is no gain in waiting if you qualify for the Guaranteed Income Supplement or are already over 70. Source: [canada.ca](https://www.canada.ca/en/services/benefits/publicpensions/old-age-security/when-start.html), checked 13 October 2026. ### Can I get OAS if I am still working? Yes. You can get OAS whether you never worked or are still working. Your job does not affect eligibility, but your net income does, and you must file a tax return every year. Source: [canada.ca](https://www.canada.ca/en/services/benefits/publicpensions/old-age-security/eligibility.html), checked 13 October 2026. ### How long does an OAS application take? About 14 days online and 120 days by mail. It can take longer if documents are missing or Service Canada asks for more information. Source: [canada.ca](https://www.canada.ca/en/services/benefits/publicpensions/old-age-security/after-apply.html), checked 13 October 2026. ## Where to go in person - Service Canada Centres: [Toronto, ON](https://canadaservicemap.ca/places/ontario/toronto/service-canada-centres) (9), [Montréal, QC](https://canadaservicemap.ca/places/quebec/montreal/service-canada-centres) (6), [Calgary, AB](https://canadaservicemap.ca/places/alberta/calgary/service-canada-centres) (4), [Ottawa, ON](https://canadaservicemap.ca/places/ontario/ottawa/service-canada-centres) (3), [Edmonton, AB](https://canadaservicemap.ca/places/alberta/edmonton) (2), [Winnipeg, MB](https://canadaservicemap.ca/places/manitoba/winnipeg/service-canada-centres) (3), [Mississauga, ON](https://canadaservicemap.ca/places/ontario/mississauga) (2), [Vancouver, BC](https://canadaservicemap.ca/places/british-columbia/vancouver) (2), [Brampton, ON](https://canadaservicemap.ca/places/ontario/brampton) (1), [Hamilton, ON](https://canadaservicemap.ca/places/ontario/hamilton) (2) ## More - [Canada Pension Plan (CPP) retirement pension](https://canadaservicemap.ca/services/cpp) - [Guaranteed Income Supplement (GIS)](https://canadaservicemap.ca/services/gis) - [Apply for a long-term care home](https://canadaservicemap.ca/services/long-term-care) - [Provincial income top-ups for low-income seniors](https://canadaservicemap.ca/services/seniors-benefits) ## Cite this page Canada Service Map, "Old Age Security (OAS): payment dates and eligibility", checked 13 October 2026, https://canadaservicemap.ca/services/oas