Benefits for Seniors
OAS, GIS, the Allowance, CPP and provincial top-ups for October to December 2026, how GIS is reduced, and the mistakes that cost seniors money.
The short version
- Old Age Security pays up to $762.50 a month at 65 to 74 and $838.75 at 75 and over, for October to December 2026. It's taxable and clawed back at higher incomes.
- The Guaranteed Income Supplement adds up to $1,138.90 a month for a single senior with income under $23,112. It's not taxable, but you must file a return every year to keep it.
- Low-income spouses aged 60 to 64 of GIS recipients can get the Allowance, up to $1,448.06 a month; widowed 60 to 64-year-olds, the Allowance for the Survivor, up to $1,726.18.
- CPP pays up to $1,507.65 a month at 65 in 2026, but the average new pension is about $858. It's based on what you paid in, not your income now.
- Add the Groceries and Essentials Benefit, the Canadian Dental Care Plan, and provincial top-ups such as Ontario's GAINS. Most need nothing more than a filed return.
Benefits for Seniors
Canada's retirement income system is built in layers, like a good roof: OAS for nearly everyone, CPP for people who worked, GIS for those with little else, and provincial top-ups on the low-income end. Most seniors get the first two without trouble. The money that goes unclaimed sits mostly in the bottom layers, among people who stopped filing returns because they "don't make enough to pay tax". That's exactly the group the system is trying to pay.
Federal Seniors' Benefits (October to December 2026)
| Benefit | Who | Maximum per month | Taxable? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Old Age Security | 65+, 10+ years in Canada after 18 | $762.50 (65 to 74), $838.75 (75+) | Yes; clawed back over $93,454 of 2025 income |
| Guaranteed Income Supplement | OAS recipients, single income under $23,112 | $1,138.90 single; $685.56 each if both spouses get OAS | No |
| Allowance | 60 to 64, spouse gets GIS, combined income under $42,768 | $1,448.06 | No |
| Allowance for the Survivor | 60 to 64, widowed, income under $31,152 | $1,726.18 | No |
| CPP retirement pension | Anyone who contributed | $1,507.65 at 65 (2026) | Yes |
OAS and GIS amounts rise each quarter with inflation. The clawback: OAS clawback and the calculator. CPP timing: when to take CPP and how CPP is taxed. Payment days: benefit payment dates.
Are you getting everything you qualify for?
Tell the assistant your age, province, income sources and whether you have a spouse. It checks OAS, GIS, the Allowance, CPP and provincial programs, and estimates what you're missing.
How GIS Works
- Based on last year's income, from your tax return, not counting OAS itself. Payments from July use the previous year's return.
- Reduced as other income rises, roughly 50 cents per dollar for a single person, more where the top-up portion applies. RRIF withdrawals, CPP and interest all count.
- Work income has an exemption: the first $5,000 of employment or self-employment income doesn't count, and only half of the next $10,000.
- TFSA withdrawals don't count. For people likely to get GIS, a TFSA usually beats an RRSP; see TFSA vs RRSP.
- Deferring OAS doesn't pay off for GIS recipients: GIS isn't paid during deferral and doesn't increase.
Planning RRSP withdrawals around GIS and the clawback: the RRSP meltdown.
Other Programs for Seniors
| Program | What it gives |
|---|---|
| Groceries and Essentials Benefit | Up to $445 per adult a year, plus a single supplement |
| Canadian Dental Care Plan | Dental care for seniors with family income under $90,000 and no dental insurance |
| Ontario: GAINS | A monthly top-up for low-income seniors receiving OAS and GIS, about $83 a month per person at most |
| Ontario: senior homeowners' property tax grant | Up to $500 a year, on the return |
| Alberta Seniors Benefit, B.C. Senior's Supplement | Provincial monthly top-ups for low-income seniors |
Tax credits that only seniors get, like the age amount and pension credit, are on tax credits for seniors.
Mistakes Seniors Make
- Not filing a return. GIS, the Allowance and the Groceries and Essentials Benefit all stop without one; see why benefits stop.
- Large RRIF or RRSP withdrawals in a GIS year, which can cost half or more of the amount in lost GIS on top of tax.
- Not applying for OAS when no automatic enrolment letter arrives. Apply up to 11 months before 65.
- Not telling Service Canada about a spouse's death or separation, which can raise GIS significantly.
- Paying a stranger to apply. Every program above is free to apply for, and Service Canada helps by phone and in person.
Seniors' Benefits Questions
How much is Old Age Security for October to December 2026?
Up to $762.50 a month for people 65 to 74 and $838.75 for people 75 and older. The amount depends on years lived in Canada after 18 and is reduced at higher incomes.
What is the maximum Guaranteed Income Supplement?
For October to December 2026, up to $1,138.90 a month for a single, widowed or divorced senior with annual income, not counting OAS, under $23,112. Couples get less each, depending on whether the spouse receives OAS.
Is GIS taxable?
No. GIS is reported on the tax return but deducted again, so it is not taxed. You must file every year to keep receiving it.
Does a TFSA affect GIS?
No. TFSA income and withdrawals are not counted for GIS, which makes the TFSA a good choice for people likely to receive GIS.
What is the Allowance for people aged 60 to 64?
A monthly benefit for low-income people aged 60 to 64 whose spouse or common-law partner receives OAS and GIS, up to $1,448.06 a month for October to December 2026. The Allowance for the Survivor serves widowed people the same age, up to $1,726.18.
Sources: Service Canada, GIS amounts; Service Canada, OAS recovery tax and payment amounts; Savvy New Canadians, Allowance amounts, October 2026. Checked October 2026. Allowance amounts and the GAINS maximum are from secondary sources; confirm with Service Canada and Ontario. The GIS reduction rates are simplified. Provincial programs other than Ontario are named only.
Last reviewed October 5, 2026 against CRA and Government of Canada sources. How we check our facts.