There are many seniors benefits in Canada, such as Old Age Security (OAS), the Guaranteed Income Supplement (GIS), and the Canada Pension Plan (CPP), that you can receive once you reach age 65 and meet certain eligibility.
Some benefits even allow seniors to stack them in order to earn additional income when they’re under certain income thresholds.
Eligibility for benefits often depends on factors like age, income threshold, and the other benefits you’re currently receiving.
Key Takeaways
- The three main federal benefit programs for seniors are OAS, CIS, and CPP.
- Each province has benefits programs for seniors too, some of which provide payments and some which provide various forms of hands-on support.
- Eligibility requirements vary, but many are based on income amounts reported on your income tax returns.
Overview of federal seniors benefits in Canada
The federal seniors benefits in Canada consist of Old Age Security (OAS), Guaranteed Income Supplement (GIS), and Canada Pension Plan (CPP).
These benefits pay monthly amounts and are tied to:
- Your annual income
- How long you've lived in Canada after age 18
- The amount of your contributions during your working years
| Seniors benefit Canada | Payment frequency | Maximum payment (2024) | Learn more |
|---|---|---|---|
| Old Age Security | Monthly | $800.44 | Old Age Security |
| Guaranteed Income Supplement | Monthly | $1,086.88 | Guaranteed Income Supplement |
| Canada Pension Plan | Monthly | $1,433.00 | Canada Pension Plan (CPP) |
| Total | $3,251.92 |
Old Age Security (OAS)
- Payment frequency: Monthly
- Maximum payment: $800.44 (2024)
With Old Age Security (OAS), you'll receive payments during the last week of the month, with the exception of December when the payment will occur before Christmas.
The Old Age Security pension is adjusted to reflect cost of living increases as per the Consumer Price Index every January, April, July, and October. The monthly payments can only increase according to a change in the CPI. The monthly payments will never decrease.
OAS payments can start a month after age 65, but you can defer them up to 60 months. By choosing to defer payments, you can increase your payment amounts.
Don’t defer payments after you reach age 70. At this point, the payment stops increasing, and you risk losing the benefits.
All payments from Old Age Security are taxable. The money you receive each month increases your annual income, which could affect other benefits you receive.
OAS eligibility
Unlike CPP, your employment history does not determine your OAS eligibility. You can collect OAS even if you have never worked or are still working.
To be eligible for OAS, you must:
- Be at least 65 years of age
- Have an annual income of less than $148,451 (according to your 2023 tax return)
If you’re still working and your income is higher than $90,997 (according to your 2023 tax return), part of your OAS payment may be clawed back. If you delay your OAS, you’ll be able to keep more when you do receive it.
OAS requirements will depend on where you live.
If you reside in Canada, you must:
- Be a Canadian citizen or legal resident when the federal government approves your OAS application
- Have resided in Canada for 10 years or more since age 18
If you reside outside Canada, you must:
- Have been a Canadian citizen or legal resident on the day before leaving Canada
- Have resided in Canada for 20 years or more since age 18
Guaranteed Income Supplement (GIS)
- Payment frequency: Monthly
- Maximum payment: $1,086.88 (2024)
The Guaranteed Income Supplement (GIS) is an additional benefit available for Canadian seniors whose income is below certain thresholds.
To receive the GIS, you must collect OAS, be at least 65 years of age, and live in Canada.
The GIS is not a taxable benefit. It’s based on income and is available to low-income OAS pensioners.
In many cases, the government will let you know by letter when you’ll start receiving the first payment. This letter is sent one month after you turn 64. If you don’t receive the letter, you may need to apply for this benefit yourself.
To avoid any missed payments, make sure you file your taxes on time every year.
GIS eligibility
The GIS is available for low-income OAS pensioners. To qualify, you must:
- Be 65 or older
- Reside in Canada
- Receive OAS
- Meet certain income thresholds
If you qualify, you can start collecting your first GIS payment the month after you turn 65.
Here are the maximum income amounts before GIS payments are cut off:
| Marital Status | Maximum Income Threshold |
|---|---|
| Single/Widowed/Divorced | Below $22,056 |
| Spouse/common-law partner collects full OAS pension | Below $29,136 |
| Spouse/common-law partner doesn’t collect an OAS pension | Below $52,848 |
| Spouse/common-law partner collects the Allowance | Below $40,800 |
Canada Pension Plan (CPP)
- Payment frequency: Monthly
- Maximum payment: $1,433.00
The CPP retirement pension is a taxable monthly benefit, provided to help replace part of your income after you’ve retired.
For this benefit, you need to apply as CPP is not automatically provided. You can apply to begin receiving CPP at age 60 or wait until you reach age 70. No matter your age, you'll collect CPP for the rest of your life.
CPP payments can vary greatly, depending on the contributions you made while in the workforce. The age you start collecting your pension is also a factor determining your monthly pension.
Most individuals start receiving CPP at age 65. You can collect a reduced amount of CPP at age 60. If you wait longer, your monthly amounts will keep increasing until you reach 70.
For a complete list of CPP payment amounts, go here: Canada Pension Plan: Pensions and benefits monthly amounts.
To begin the application process, go here: CPP Retirement pension - Apply.
CPP eligibility
To qualify for the CCP, the applicant must be at least 60 years old and have made at least one valid contribution to the CPP.
Valid contributions consist of:
- Work you did in Canada
- Credits from a former spouse or former common-law partner at the end of the relationship
Benefits you may qualify for in addition to CPP
Along with your CPP pension, you can qualify for six additional benefits:
- Post-retirement benefit: Continuing to work while contributing to CPP up to age 70 increases your post-retirement benefit. The amount you earn with the PRB depends on how much you contributed the prior year, and your age when you start collecting the PRB
- Disability benefit: The disability benefit is open to those under 65 who cannot work due to severe mental/psychological and/or physical impairments – the amount you receive depends on how much you have contributed to CPP.
- Survivor’s benefit: The survivor's benefit is a monthly amount provided to a deceased CPP contributor's legal spouse or common-law partner – if you’re older than 65 and don’t have a pension, you’ll get 60% of your spouse or partner’s pension. If you’re younger than 65 and without a pension, you’ll get a flat rate and 37.5% of the deceased’s retirement pension.
- Children’s benefit: The dependent children of disabled or deceased CPP contributors can collect monthly payments as part of the CPP child benefit until they turn 25 – this benefit is paid at a flat rate each month.
- Death benefit: The death benefit from CPP is a one-time payment of $2,500 on behalf of a deceased CPP contributor, payable to the estate or other eligible individuals – the deceased must have contributed to CPP, and if eligible, you should apply as soon as possible after the death.
Provincial seniors benefits in Canada
All Canadian provinces and territories provide some level of additional support to low-income seniors.
These benefits vary by jurisdiction. Some benefit programs automatically enroll eligible seniors, but others require you to apply.
- Alberta
- British Columbia
- Manitoba
- New Brunswick
- Newfoundland and Labrador
- Northwest Territories
- Nova Scotia
- Nunavut
- Ontario
- Prince Edward Island
- Quebec
- Saskatchewan
- Yukon
Alberta Seniors Benefit
- Payment frequency: Monthly
- Maximum payment: $3,792 (single), $5,687 (couple)
Eligibility for Alberta seniors benefits
Single seniors who make less than $33,410 or couples who have a combined income of less than $54,640 can qualify for the Alberta Seniors Benefit. These incomes are guidelines and are for seniors whose income includes OAS.
Benefits are paid according to your previous year’s income. Make sure to file your taxes to ensure that you receive these benefits.
In the first year only, you may be able to qualify using an estimate of what your income will be for the upcoming year. If you overestimate your income, you may qualify for additional retroactive payments. If you underestimate your income, you must pay back all payments resulting from this error.
The Supplementary Accommodation Benefit is available to low-income seniors not collecting OAS and living in designated supportive living or long-term care facilities. If a couple needs to live separately for health reasons, they may qualify as two individuals.
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- Payment frequency: Monthly
- Maximum payment: $99.30 per month for single seniors, $220.50 per month for senior couples
Eligibility for British Columbia seniors benefits
To receive these B.C. benefits, you must:
- Be a low-income senior
- Rside in B.C. at least 6 months per year
- Be a permanent resident of Canada
- Collect OAS
- Collect federal GIS allowance
Aside from these requirements, you may be eligible if you’re between the ages of 60 and 65 and collect the federal Spouse’s Allowance.
Payments are determined by your OAS and GIS payments and are as follows:
| Marital Status | Potential Monthly Payment |
|---|---|
| Single seniors | $1.00 - $99.30 |
| Senior couples | $2.00 - $220.50 |
| Spouse collecting the federal OAS allowance | $1.00 - $99.83 |
If you’re receiving OAS and GIS and qualify for the B.C. Seniors Supplement, you’ll be automatically enrolled.
Your payment amounts may be adjusted if your income changes, including for the following reasons:
- Marital status
- Employment earnings
- Retirement pension amounts
- CPP or QPP payments
- Private disability payments
- Spousal support payments
Manitoba 55 PLUS Program Seniors Benefits
- Payment frequency: Quarterly (every 3 months)
- Maximum payment: $161.80 for eligible singles, $173.90 for each eligible senior in a married or common-law relationship
Eligibility for seniors benefits through the Manitoba 55 PLUS program
The 55 PLUS program is a Manitoba Income Supplement. Qualifying individuals don’t receive Employment and Income Assistance and don’t exceed the maximum threshold for annual income.
To be eligible for this Manitoba benefit, you must:
- Be 55 years of age or older
- Reside in Manitoba
- Have a Manitoba Health registration number
- Have income up to $9,746.40 (for singles)
- Have a combined income up to $16,255.20 ( for married/common-law partners)
If you’re slightly over the annual income levels due to certain tax deductions you may still qualify so you’re encouraged to apply.
If you only receive health benefits as part of Income Assistance, you may still qualify.
If you're already collecting OAS, you don’t need to apply for the Manitoba 55 PLUS program. If you don’t collect OAS payments, you’ll need to apply annually. Applications are accepted throughout the year.
Your payments will be determined by any OAS, GIS Allowance, or Allowance for the Survivor amounts you already receive.
New Brunswick Low-Income Seniors Benefits
- Payment frequency: One-time payment
- Maximum payment: $600
New Brunswick seniors benefits eligibility
Eligibility requirements for this N.B. benefit include:
- Be at least 60 years of age
- Reside in New Brunswick as of December 31, 2023
- Collect either the OAS Allowance for Survivor (age 60-64), Allowance (age 60-64), or Guaranteed Income Supplement (age 65 and above)
For spouses who both receive the GIS and reside in the same household, the maximum benefit is $600. If spouses live apart (one person lives in a nursing home, for example), both are eligible for the benefit.
People under the age of 60 who receive a federal allowance are not eligible for this benefit.
Newfoundland and Labrador Seniors’ Benefits
- Payment frequency: Quarterly (every 3 months)
- Maximum payment: $1,516 per year
Eligibility for Newfoundland and Labrador Seniors' Benefit
No application is required to receive the NL Seniors Benefit – however, you must file your taxes for the previous year to determine your benefit amount.
To be eligible, you must be 64 years of age and a resident of Newfoundland and Labrador.
Eligibility requirements for this N.L. benefit are as follows:
- Be at least 64 years of age in 2024
- Reside in Newfoundland and Labrador
The maximum annual payment is $1,516 if your family net income is below $29,402 (single or couple).
Married or common-law couples where at least one senior’s family net income is up to $29,402 can also apply. Partial payments will be paid to those whose family net income is between $29,402 and $41,787.
In addition to the seniors' benefit, low-income individuals and families and persons with disabilities may be eligible for the tax-free Newfoundland and Labrador Income Supplement. The maximum annual payment is $520 (single), $589 (couple), plus $231 per child under 19 years of age.
N.W.T. Senior Citizen Supplementary Benefit
- Payment frequency: Monthly
- Maximum payment: $196
NWT Senior Citizen Supplementary Benefit eligibility
The eligibility requirements for these benefits are as such:
- Be an N.W.T. resident
- Collect OAS through either GIS or Spouse’s Allowance supplements
If you already receive OAS and the GIS, or the Spouse’s Allowance from the federal government, you’re automatically eligible for the N.W.T. Senior Citizen Supplementary Benefit.
To apply, you must complete an application for GIS. The income reported on your income tax return will determine eligibility. If eligible, you'll automatically be enrolled.
Nova Scotia Seniors’ Pharmacare Program
- Payment frequency: N/A
- Maximum payment: N/A
Eligibility for the Nova Scotia Seniors’ Pharmacare Program
The Nova Scotia Seniors’ Pharmacare Program helps eligible residents of Nova Scotia with the cost of prescription drugs.
You’re eligible if you meet these requirements:
- You're age 65+
- You're a resident of Nova Scotia
- You have a valid N.S. Health Card
- You don't have additional drug coverage
This program is optional. You'll automatically receive a package in the mail about three months prior to your 65th birthday if you have a Nova Scotia Health card. If you choose to enroll, your Nova Scotia Health Card becomes your Pharmacare Card.
You need to enroll within 90 days of the first of the month of your 65th birthday.
If you miss this date, you may still be considered. If you have private health insurance, you can only apply once your coverage ends.
You are not eligible for the program if you’re currently covered through one of these:
- Veterans Affairs Canada
- Non-Insured Health Benefits
- NS Family Pharmacare
- A public or private plan
Nunavut Senior Citizen Supplementary Benefit (SCSB)
- Payment frequency: Monthly
- Maximum payment: $300
Eligibility for the SCSB
Eligibility requirements for this Nunavut program include the following:
- Be a resident of Nunavut
- Be 60+ years of age
- Collect either the GIS or Spouse’s Allowance federal OAS supplement
To apply, you must complete an initial application for the Guaranteed Income Supplement of the Spouse’s Allowance from the federal government.
To continue receiving the GIS supplement, you must file your annual tax return. If you still qualify for GIS the following year, you’ll automatically be enrolled again for the SCSB.
Ontario Guaranteed Annual Income System payments for seniors
- Payment frequency: Monthly
- Maximum payment: $87 (single), $174 (couple)
Eligibility for the Ontario Guaranteed Annual Income System (GAINS)
This is a non-taxable benefit that provides low-income seniors in Ontario with a monthly income, bringing all Ontario seniors to the guaranteed income level.
Here are the eligibility requirements or this Ontario benefit:
- Be 65+ years old
- Collect federal OAS and GIS payments
- Have lived in Canada for 10+ years
- Have lived in Ontario for the last 12 months or at least 20 years since age 18
- Have an annual private income of up to $4,176 (for singles)
- Have an annual combined income of up to $8,352 (for families)
Note: Bank interest, CPP, private pension payments, or other similar areas of income are considered private income.
You don’t need to apply for this benefit, but you must have already applied for OAS and GIS. Once you’re receiving these, you’ll also collect GAINS.
After filing your tax return by the required date the following year, if you’re still qualified for GIS then you’ll automatically be enrolled again for the provincial supplement.
Prince Edward Island seniors benefits
- Payment frequency: N/A
- Maximum payment: N/A
PEI eligibility for seniors benefits
Prince Edward Island doesn’t have an income supplement for low-income seniors. However, the Senior’s Housing Program is designed to help low-income seniors live affordably.
Here are the eligibility requirements:
- Be over 60 years old (or 55 with a disability)
- Have changing housing needs
- Have a PEI Health Card
Once an application is submitted, you’ll be interviewed to assess your housing needs based on your health, age, income, assets, and current accommodations. If approved, you can apply for a unit in a nearby seniors’ housing complex or receive a rent supplement for your current home.
There's also the Seniors Independence Initiative to consider, a program that provides financial assistance for practical needs to help seniors remain in their own homes. Services include light housekeeping, meal prep, snow removal, grass cutting, transportation, and other unmet needs.
Quebec seniors benefits
- Payment frequency: N/A
- Maximum payment: N/A
Eligibility and details on seniors benefits in Quebec
Quebec doesn’t have an official benefit program for seniors. However, it does offer some programs to help reduce seniors’ cost of living and/or expenses.
Seniors can receive the Quebec Pension Plan – Quebec’s version of CPP – if they’ve lived and worked in Quebec for a certain time period. You can begin collecting this pension at age 60 with a reduced rate, or wait until age 65. You can apply for QPP until age 72.
Most qualifying seniors are offered tax credits in addition to the QPP. For example, you must file an income tax return to receive the Senior Assistance Tax Credit. Credit amounts are based on your family income amounts.
The Independent Living Tax Credit for Seniors provides a refundable tax credit for the purchases of certain home goods or fixtures. You must be at least 70 years of age and you or your spouse must pay for the items.
When you turn 65 in Quebec, you’ll automatically be registered for the Public Prescription Drug Insurance Plan. You can choose to use a private insurance plan or use a combination of the public and a private plan for supplemental coverage.
To help with costs, there are also tax credits for home-support services available. Eligibility varies, depending on your living arrangements and the type of services you require.
Saskatchewan Seniors Income Plan (SIP)
- Payment frequency: Monthly
- Maximum payment: $360 (single) or $325 (partners/spouses who both collect a pension)
Saskatchewan SIP eligibility
Here are the eligibility requirements for this Saskatchewan seniors benefit program:
- Be 65+ years old
- Be a permanent resident of Saskatchewan
- Receive OAS and GIS
- Have annual incomes below certain levels
All taxable income is considered when determining eligibility and payments for the Saskatchewan SIP. This means assets, OAS, and GIS are not considered when calculating eligibility.
As your income increases, your payments from SIP will decrease, until you become ineligible for any payments at all. You’ll be reassessed each year in July.
SIP provides additional health-related benefits to seniors, such as:
- The loan of low-cost equipment from the Saskatchewan Abilities Council
- One complimentary eye examination every 12 months
- Reduced deductible 2x per year for the Drug Plan and Extended Benefits
- Additional health benefits for SIP recipients residing in special care homes
Yukon Seniors Income Supplement
- Payment frequency: Monthly
- Maximum payment: $288.61
Eligibility details for the Yukon Seniors Supplement
You don’t need to apply for the Yukon Seniors Income Supplement, but you must have already applied for OAS and GIS. Once you’re receiving these federal benefits, you’ll also receive your Yukon Seniors Income Supplement.
Eligibility requirements for this program are as follows:
- Be 65+ years old
- Be a resident of Yukon
- Collect OAS and GIS, or collect the Spouse’s Allowance or Survivor’s Allowance.
FAQ
What are the main seniors benefits in Canada?
The main seniors benefits in Canada are Old Age Security (OAS), Guaranteed Income Supplement (GIS), and Canada Pension Plan (CPP). Each of these benefit programs has its own specific set of eligibility requirements and payment amounts.
Are there any provincial seniors benefits in Canada?
Yes, each province and territory has its own seniors benefits in Canada that is/are provided alongside federal seniors benefits. These provincial benefits vary, with some offered as payments and some as programs and services for seniors.
What can seniors get for free in Canada?
There are many federal benefit programs for Canadian seniors, including OAS and GIS. On top of these federal options, you may be eligible for provincial or territorial benefits too. Eligibility and program types vary by province or territory.
Who is eligible for senior benefits in Canada?
Eligibility for most senior benefit programs requires you to be a Canadian citizen or permanent resident and at least 65 years old. Other eligibility details and requirements will vary depending on the benefit in question.
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