OAS Payment Dates 2026
Old Age Security (OAS) payments are deposited on the third-last business day of each month.
OAS is funded from general government revenues and is not tied directly to your CPP contribution history. For many seniors, OAS plus CPP creates the base layer of retirement income, so knowing exact payment timing helps with rent, utilities, and automatic bill scheduling.
Because OAS is adjusted quarterly for inflation, the payment amount can change during the year even though the payment schedule stays consistent. Checking both date and amount updates each quarter helps prevent budgeting surprises.
If you are new to the program, review the complete OAS guide before relying on these dates.
2026 OAS Payment Schedule
| Month | Payment Date |
|---|---|
| January | Wednesday, January 28, 2026 |
| February | Thursday, February 26, 2026 |
| March | Friday, March 27, 2026 |
| April | Tuesday, April 28, 2026 |
| May | Thursday, May 28, 2026 |
| June | Friday, June 26, 2026 |
| July | Wednesday, July 29, 2026 |
| August | Thursday, August 27, 2026 |
| September | Monday, September 28, 2026 |
| October | Thursday, October 29, 2026 |
| November | Thursday, November 26, 2026 |
| December | Tuesday, December 29, 2026 |
2026 OAS Payment Amounts
| Recipient | Monthly Amount |
|---|---|
| Age 65-74 (40+ years in Canada) | ~$727.67 |
| Age 75+ (40+ years in Canada) | ~$800.44 |
| Partial OAS (minimum 10 years) | Prorated by years |
OAS amounts are adjusted quarterly (January, April, July, October) based on the Consumer Price Index.
OAS Eligibility Basics
At a high level, OAS eligibility depends on age and years lived in Canada after age 18.
- Full OAS generally requires 40 years of Canadian residence after age 18
- Partial OAS is available with fewer qualifying years (minimum 10 years for eligibility)
- You can defer OAS up to age 70 for a higher monthly payment
If you lived or worked in multiple countries, social security agreements may affect your eligibility calculation.
How OAS Clawback Works in Practice
OAS clawback is a 15% recovery tax on net income above the annual threshold. The key planning point is that not all cash-flow sources are treated equally.
- RRSP and RRIF withdrawals increase net income and can trigger clawback
- TFSA withdrawals do not increase net income for clawback purposes
- Pension timing and withdrawal sequencing can materially change your after-tax result
For retirement decumulation planning, review the OAS clawback calculator before deciding how much to draw from registered accounts each year.
OAS Clawback (Recovery Tax)
| Income Level | OAS Impact |
|---|---|
| Under ~$90,997 | Full OAS |
| ~$90,997 to ~$148,451 | Partial reduction |
| Above ~$148,451 | No OAS (full clawback) |
Tip: TFSA withdrawals do not count toward the OAS clawback. Strategic use of TFSA in retirement can help preserve your OAS. Use the OAS clawback calculator to estimate the impact of your income.
GIS Payment Dates
The Guaranteed Income Supplement (GIS) for low-income seniors is paid on the same day as OAS.
If you receive both government benefits, compare them with CPP payment dates so your monthly cash flow is easier to track.
| Recipient | Maximum Monthly GIS |
|---|---|
| Single senior | ~$1,065 |
| Couple (both receive OAS) | ~$641 each |
GIS is income-tested and reduced as other income increases.
If your income has changed materially since your last tax filing, contact Service Canada to ask whether an income-estimate reassessment is available so benefits better reflect your current situation.
What to do if your OAS payment is delayed
If your OAS payment is not deposited on schedule:
- Confirm the date is a business day and your bank has posted federal deposits
- Check My Service Canada Account for payment and direct deposit details
- Confirm there were no recent banking changes or closed accounts
- Contact Service Canada if funds are still missing after 1-2 business days
Most issues are resolved by correcting account details or confirming posting timing.
OAS planning checklist for the year
Use this once per quarter:
- Review quarterly OAS amount updates (January, April, July, October)
- Track expected net income against clawback thresholds
- Coordinate RRIF and pension withdrawals to manage clawback exposure
- Confirm tax filing is complete to avoid benefit disruption
OAS deferral: delaying past 65
Like CPP, you can defer OAS beyond age 65 to receive a larger monthly amount. Each month of deferral adds 0.6% to the payment, up to a maximum 36% increase at age 70:
| Start age | Monthly OAS (if $727.67 at 65) | Annual OAS |
|---|---|---|
| 65 | $727.67 | $8,732 |
| 66 | $779.61 (+7.2%) | $9,355 |
| 67 | $831.54 (+14.4%) | $9,978 |
| 68 | $883.48 (+21.6%) | $10,602 |
| 69 | $935.41 (+28.8%) | $11,225 |
| 70 | $987.63 (+35.8%) | $11,851 |
The break-even for deferring from 65 to 70 is approximately age 83–84. If you have other income sources (TFSA, non-registered, pension) to cover ages 65–70 and expect a long retirement, deferring OAS is worth considering.
Note: OAS deferral is separate from CPP deferral. You can defer one without deferring the other. Contact Service Canada to elect deferral; if you do nothing, OAS automatically starts at 65.