Old Age Security

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Old Age Security (OAS) is a federally-funded Canadian social benefit pension based on residency and income.

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Old Age Security is a pension program available to Canadian seniors aged 65 and older. It provides a monthly payment to eligible individuals, regardless of their work history or contributions to the Canadian Pension Plan (CPP). The OAS pension amount is based on length of residency and income.

Learn About

• Learn about Old Age Security, are you eligible and how to apply from the Government of Canada. In many cases, you could receive notification one month after you turn 64 years of age. If you do not receive a letter, it is recommended you contact OAS Service Canada or visit a Service Canada Centre.
• Talk to your financial planner or qualified care partners about eligibility criteria and the amount of OAS you can receive.
• Explore the OAS Benefits Estimator to determine your OAS pension amount.

How to Apply

• To apply for OAS create your My Service Canada Account . You’ll need to provide personal information such as your Social Insurance Number (SIN), date of birth, and other identifying details to verify your identity.
• Log into your My Service Canada Account to view your Canadian Pension Plan, Employment Insurance, Old Age Security, Canadian Dental Plan, Canada Pension Plan Disability (CPP-D), and Disability Tax Credit (DTC) information, update your personal details, and access other online services offered by Service Canada.

Explore Other Benefits

• Understand that Wayfinder is an online tool provided by the Canadian government to help people with disabilities and their families navigate various federal and provincial programs and services. It is specifically aimed at helping individuals with disabilities find the support they need in areas like health care, financial assistance, and community services. Whereas the Benefits Finder is broader and not limited to individuals with disabilities—it helps all Canadians find benefits they might be eligible for, based on their personal circumstances. See the list of benefits offered by the Government of Canada.
• Explore the Benefits Finder to learn more about publicly funded benefits and those you might be eligible to receive.
• Know that having a chronic health condition, dependent on your physical and mental health capacity, may also qualify you for disability benefits such as the Disability Tax Credit, Registered Disability Savings Plan, and Canadian Pension Plan-Disability.
• Learn about benefits specifically design for people with disabilities (including people with limiting chronic health conditions) by using the Disability-Benefits-Compass from Prosper Canada.
• Check out the government of Canada Retirement Hub to learn about how to plan for, apply, and manage your public benefits.
• Use the Canadian Retirement Income Calculator to learn about some of your potential retirement income by combining your expected OAS pension and CPP Disability pension.
• Work with an accountant to ensure your income tax is filed every year. Know that an income tax assessment is required for most government benefits and services.

If you have a chronic health condition or disability, explore all available pensions and benefits early to support your financial and lifestyle plans while managing your health. Mywell Health lists potential benefits under My Financial Plan, with more details in the resource kit.

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