June 18, 2026 4 min read
OAS Maximum Payment Amounts 2026 (Ages 65–74 and 75+)
Maximum monthly Old Age Security in 2026 — $751.97 for ages 65 to 74 and $827.17 for ages 75 and over (July to September 2026 quarter), how quarterly CPI indexation works, and who gets the 10% top-up.
OAS + GIS Retirement Income →
Combined OAS, GIS by marital status, earned-income exemption, CPP
Old Age Security (OAS) is the federal pension paid to most Canadians 65 and older, funded from general tax revenue rather than from your own contributions. Unlike CPP, you do not pay into it — eligibility is based on age and years of Canadian residence. Here are the maximum monthly amounts for 2026 and how they are set.
2026 Maximum Monthly OAS
OAS pays a higher amount once you turn 75. For the July to September 2026 quarter the maximums are:
| Age group | Maximum monthly OAS |
|---|---|
| 65 to 74 | $751.97 |
| 75 and over | $827.17 |
The 75-and-over amount is exactly 10% higher than the 65-to-74 amount ($751.97 × 1.10 = $827.17). That permanent 10% increase was introduced for seniors at age 75 and applies automatically — you do not apply for it.
These are maximum amounts. Your actual OAS depends on how many years you lived in Canada after age 18: a full pension needs 40 years of residence after 18 (or qualifying under the rules for those born before 1958). With fewer years you receive a proportional fraction (for example, 20/40ths of the maximum).
How OAS Is Indexed — Quarterly to the CPI
OAS is one of the few benefits adjusted four times a year. Amounts are reviewed every January, April, July, and October and increased to reflect rises in the Consumer Price Index (CPI). A key protection: if the cost of living falls, OAS payments never decrease — they hold at the prior level.
Because indexation is quarterly, the maximum can change between this article’s quarter and the next. The amounts above are for the July to September 2026 quarter — a 1.2% increase over the April–June quarter’s $743.05/$817.36. The October 2026 quarter will be reset against the latest CPI data.
When OAS Starts — And Why You Might Defer
You can start OAS at 65, or defer it for up to 60 months (to age 70). Each month of deferral adds 0.6% to your payment — a maximum 36% increase if you wait the full five years to 70. Deferral makes sense if you have other income at 65 and want a larger, inflation-indexed pension later, or if you would otherwise lose OAS to the recovery tax.
The OAS Recovery Tax (Clawback) — Briefly
Higher-income seniors repay part or all of their OAS through the OAS recovery tax. For the recovery period running July 2026 to June 2027, the clawback begins once net world income exceeds $93,454 (based on your 2025 income), and OAS is fully clawed back well above that. The repayment is 15 cents for every dollar of income above the threshold.
We cover the clawback mechanics, the thresholds, and how to plan around them in depth in How to Minimize the OAS Clawback — this article focuses on the gross maximum amounts before any recovery tax.
GIS — The Low-Income Top-Up
Low-income OAS recipients may also qualify for the Guaranteed Income Supplement (GIS), a separate, non-taxable, income-tested benefit paid alongside OAS. GIS has its own thresholds and a steep clawback. See GIS in 2026 for the income test and maximum amounts.
Worked Example — A 76-Year-Old’s Annual OAS
A 76-year-old with a full residence record and income below the recovery-tax threshold receives the 75+ maximum:
- Monthly: $827.17
- Over the July–September 2026 quarter, the rate is $827.17/month
- Annualized at this rate: $827.17 × 12 = $9,926.04 before any clawback
Their income-tested GIS, if eligible, would be paid on top of this.
Key Takeaways
- 2026 maximum OAS (July–September quarter): $751.97/month for ages 65–74 and $827.17/month for 75+.
- The 75+ amount is 10% higher — a permanent, automatic increase at age 75.
- OAS is indexed quarterly (Jan/Apr/Jul/Oct) to the CPI and never decreases.
- A full pension requires 40 years of Canadian residence after age 18; fewer years means a proportional amount.
- Deferring OAS past 65 adds 0.6%/month, up to 36% at age 70.
- High earners face the recovery tax above $93,454 (July 2026 – June 2027 period) — covered separately.
Estimate your own OAS, GIS, and the clawback together with the OAS/GIS calculator.
Sources
Primary sources
Use our calculators to apply these concepts to your own income. Tax information is for general guidance only — consult a CPA for advice specific to your situation.
Tax rates and thresholds sourced from the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA). Last verified for the 2025 tax year.