OAS Payment Dates 2025: Increase, Amount & Clawback

Old Age Security (OAS) is one of Canada’s most important financial supports for seniors aged 65 and older. Whether you’re already receiving benefits or planning ahead, understanding OAS payment dates, eligibility criteria, and rate increases can help you get the most out of this monthly pension.

This 2025 guide also includes a complete recap of 2024 OAS payment dates, along with updated benefit rates, cost-of-living adjustments (COLA), and changes that may impact your payments.

OAS Payment Dates 2025

OAS payments are issued by the Government of Canada on the third-to-last business day of each month. Here’s when to expect your deposits:

2025 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

Recap – OAS Payment Dates 2024:

• January 29, 2024
• February 27, 2024
• March 26, 2024
• April 26, 2024
• May 29, 2024
• June 26, 2024
• July 29, 2024
• August 28, 2024
• September 25, 2024
• October 29, 2024
• November 27, 2024
• December 20, 2024

If a payment date falls on a weekend or holiday, your deposit will arrive on the previous business day.

OAS Eligibility and Residency Rules

To qualify for Old age security, you must:

• Be 65 years of age or older
• Have been a legal resident or citizen of Canada
• Have lived in Canada for at least 10 years after age 18 (for partial pension)
• To receive the full pension, you must have lived in Canada for 40 years after turning 18

If you live outside of Canada, you must have resided in Canada for at least 20 years after age 18 to keep receiving OAS while abroad.

OAS Monthly Payment Amounts – 2025

As of April–June 2025, the monthly maximum OAS amounts are:

• Ages 65 to 74: $727.67
• Ages 75 and older: $800.44

Seniors aged 75+ receive a 10% permanent increase compared to those aged 65–74.

Cost of Living Adjustments (COLA) for 2025

OAS payments are indexed to inflation and adjusted four times per year—in January, April, July, and October—based on the Consumer Price Index (CPI).

Here’s how the 2025 COLA adjustments have unfolded:

• January–March 2025:
  • OAS rates were increased by 0.8%, reflecting modest inflation growth in late 2024.
  • This adjustment maintained stable purchasing power for recipients entering the new year.
• April–June 2025:
  • No increase during this quarter.
  • CPI trends flattened, and OAS rates remained the same as the previous quarter.
• July–September 2025 (anticipated):
  • A projected increase of 1.0%, based on CPI growth in early 2025.
  • Exact new rates to be announced by the Government of Canada before July.

OAS benefits can never decrease, even if inflation goes down.

OAS Clawback 2024 Vs 2025 (Recovery Tax)

The Old Age Security (OAS) clawback, officially known as the OAS Recovery Tax, affects higher-income seniors whose net income exceeds a set annual threshold. Here’s how it compares between the 2024 and 2025 tax years:

Income Thresholds (Ages 65 and older):

• 2024 tax year (applies to OAS payments from July 2025 to June 2026):
  Clawback begins when net world income exceeds $90,997.
• 2025 tax year (applies to OAS payments from July 2026 to June 2027):
  Threshold rises to approximately $93,454.

Full Clawback Income Limits:

• 2024: Full OAS clawback applies at approximately $148,451 for those aged 65 to 74. For those aged 75 and older (who receive higher OAS), the full clawback occurs around $154,196.
• 2025: Estimated full clawback applies at about $151,668 (65–74) and $157,490 (75+), reflecting inflation adjustments.

Recovery Rate:

• The clawback rate remains the same for both years: 15% of every dollar above the threshold is deducted from your OAS benefits.

Application Timing:

• 2024 income affects your OAS payments from July 2025 to June 2026.
• 2025 income will affect OAS payments from July 2026 to June 2027.

The income threshold for OAS clawback increased from $90,997 in 2024 to $93,454 in 2025, allowing slightly more room for higher-income seniors before reductions begin. The recovery rate remains 15%, deducted monthly across the payment year. Seniors close to these thresholds should review income strategies to minimize OAS recovery tax impacts.

Deferring Your OAS Pension

You can delay starting OAS for up to 60 months (5 years) after turning 65 to receive a higher monthly amount:

• Each month of delay adds 0.6% to your pension
• Delaying until age 70 increases your OAS by 36%

This strategy is useful for seniors with other sources of retirement income who want to boost guaranteed income later in life.

Guaranteed Income Supplement (GIS)

The GIS is a non-taxable monthly benefit for low-income seniors who receive OAS. It is determined by your income and marital status.

GIS Payment Increase & Dates 2025

Monthly GIS deposits follow the same schedule as OAS payments—on the third-to-last banking day of each month. For 2025, the dates are:

• January 29
• February 26
• March 27
• April 28
• May 28
• June 26
• July 29
• August 27
• September 25
• October 29
• November 26
• December 22

GIS Maximum Amounts (April–June 2025)

As of April–June 2025, maximum monthly GIS amounts are:

• Single, divorced, or widowed (no spouse): $1,086.88
• Spouse receives full OAS: $654.23
• Spouse receives Allowance: $654.23
• Spouse does not receive OAS or Allowance: $1,086.88

GIS benefits are reviewed four times per year—January, April, July, and October—based on the Consumer Price Index (CPI). Payments never decrease, even if inflation dips.

• April 2025: No increase—CPI dip kept rates steady.
• July 2025: A 1.0% increase is expected, based on recent CPI trends

Eligibility for GIS is income-tested and recalculated annually in July.

Other Senior Benefits Linked to OAS

Canada Pension Plan (CPP)

In 2025, CPP benefits continue to rise with inflation and the phased-in enhancements started in 2019. The maximum monthly CPP retirement pension at age 65 is $1,433.00 (effective in January 2025), with the average being about $899.67 (as of October 2024). CPP benefits are indexed annually based on the CPI; a 2.6% increase applies throughout 2025, protecting purchasers’ power.

Key Points

• Benefit Amounts
  • Max at 65: $1,433.00/month as of January 2025.
  • Average around $899.67/month (October 2024)
• Annual Increase
  • 2.6% CPI-indexed bump across calendar year 2025 .
• CPP Payment Dates (2025)
  • Paid monthly on the third-to-last banking day, same as OAS:
    • Jan 29, Feb 26, Mar 27, Apr 28… through Dec 22
• Contribution Caps & Rates
  • YMPE: $71,300 (2025); basic exemption $3,500.
  • Employee/employer pay 5.95% up to $4,034.10; self-employed pay $8,068.20 total
  • CPP2 extra contributions on earnings between $71,300 and $81,200: 4% each, max $396

Allowance

For spouses or common-law partners (ages 60–64) of GIS recipients. Non-taxable and income-tested.

Allowance for the Survivor

For low-income widowed individuals aged 60–64.

Both benefits end when the recipient turns 65 and becomes eligible for OAS.

Provincial Senior Benefits 2025

Alberta Seniors Benefit

• Monthly income support for low-income seniors aged 65+.
• Maximum annual payment: $12,312 for singles, $16,104 for couples.
• Income thresholds: Up to $31,080 (single) or $50,720 (couple).

British Columbia: Seniors Supplement

• Monthly top-up for GIS/Allowance recipients.
• Maximum: $99.30 (single), $220.50 (couples).
• Automatically provided if eligible for federal GIS.

SAFER (Shelter Aid for Elderly Renters)

• Rent support for low-income seniors in rental housing.

Saskatchewan: Seniors Income Plan (SIP)

• Monthly supplement of up to $360 (single), $325 each (couples).
• Available to seniors 65+ receiving OAS/GIS with low private income.

Manitoba: 55 Plus Program

• Quarterly payment to low-income residents aged 55+.
• Maximum per quarter: $161.80 (single), $347.80 (couples).
• Issued in January, April, July, and October.

Ontario: Guaranteed Annual Income System (GAINS)

• Monthly top-up for low-income seniors 65+ receiving OAS/GIS.
• Maximum: $87/month (single), $174/month (couple).
• Paid monthly, adjusted with inflation.

New Brunswick: Low-Income Seniors Benefit

• Annual payment of approximately $400.
• For residents aged 60+ who received GIS or Allowance the previous year.
• One payment per household.

Nova Scotia:

Seniors Pharmacare – Drug coverage program for residents aged 65+.
Seniors Care Grant – Annual grant ($500–$750) for help with home services like snow removal or housekeeping.

Newfoundland & Labrador: Seniors’ Benefit

• Non-taxable quarterly payment.
• Annual maximum: $1,444–$1,526 depending on income.
• Available to those 64+ with family income under approx. $29,400 (phased out up to $42,000).

Prince Edward Island:

Seniors Home Repair Program – Grants up to $4,000.
Safe @ Home – Accessibility renovations up to $10,000.
Seniors Independence Initiative – Up to $1,700 annually for personal services.
Property Tax Deferral – For homeowners 65+ on fixed incomes.

Nunavut: Senior Citizen Supplementary Benefit

• Monthly top-up of $300.
• For seniors aged 60+ receiving GIS or Allowance.

Northwest Territories: Senior Citizen Supplementary Benefit

• Monthly benefit of $196.
• For seniors receiving OAS/GIS or Allowance.

Yukon: Seniors Income Supplement

• Monthly top-up of about $288.61.
• For low-income seniors 65+ who receive OAS/GIS or the Allowance.

Planning Tips for 2025

• Use direct deposit to avoid delays, especially around holidays.
• Notify Service Canada of address or marital status changes to avoid overpayments.
• Consider tax implications if your income approaches recovery tax levels.
• Track quarterly CPI updates to know when OAS amounts will change.

Summary: What to Expect in 2025

Canada’s OAS program is a vital support for millions of seniors. By understanding the eligibility rules, payment schedules, and upcoming changes, you can make the most of this benefit and ensure financial stability in retirement.