Old Age Security (OAS) is Canada’s universal residency-based pension, funded from general tax revenue rather than payroll contributions. Most Canadians aged 65+ receive OAS, with the amount depending on years of residency in Canada after age 18.
Eligibility
Full OAS requires 40 years of Canadian residency after age 18. Partial OAS is available with 10 years residency (calculated as years/40 × full amount). For example, 25 years of residency produces 25/40 = 62.5% of the full OAS amount.
2026 amounts
| Recipient age | Q2 2026 maximum monthly OAS |
|---|---|
| 65 to 74 | $743.05 |
| 75 and over | $817.36 (10% bonus auto-applied at 75) |
Deferral
OAS can be deferred up to age 70 in exchange for 0.6% per month bonus (max 36% at age 70). Deferral is most useful for retirees with high income at 65-69 who would face full OAS clawback.
Clawback
OAS recovery tax reduces benefits by 15% of net world income above the annual threshold ($95,323 for 2026 income). Full clawback occurs at $154,753 (65-74) or $160,696 (75+) for 2026 income.