Canada's OAS payments for September 2025 go out soon and you could get up to $1,900
Fall is kicking off with a bit of good news for Canadian seniors — another round of government support is on its way, and it's arriving soon.
If you're 65 or older and living in Canada, you're probably familiar with Old Age Security. It's one of the country's main public pension programs, alongside the Canada Pension Plan, and it's designed to help older adults handle the rising cost of day-to-day living.
The monthly benefit is handled through Service Canada, and depending on your financial situation, you might also qualify for other programs like the Guaranteed Income Supplement or the Allowance.
Plus, OAS amounts were adjusted in July to reflect inflation, so those boosted rates are still in effect for this month's government payment.
Here's what you need to know about the September 2025 OAS payment — including the updated rates, extras you could get, who qualifies and exactly when the money will show up in your account.
What is Old Age Security in Canada?
Old Age Security (OAS) is a government-run program that provides monthly income to Canadians who are 65 or older. It's one of the main public pensions in the country and is meant to offer financial support during retirement.
Most people don't need to apply to start getting the base OAS pension. If you're eligible, Service Canada usually signs you up automatically and notifies you by mail before your first payment.
There are also extra benefits available for those with lower incomes. If you qualify, you could receive the Guaranteed Income Supplement or an Allowance. These are included in the same deposit and are based on your age, income and living situation.
Who is eligible for Old Age Security in Canada?
To qualify for Old Age Security in Canada, you don't need to have held a job or made direct contributions — eligibility is based on your age, your income and how long you've lived in the country.
That sets it apart from benefits like the Canada Pension Plan, which is tied to your work history. With OAS, you can qualify whether you worked full-time, part-time or not at all, as long as you meet the other criteria.
As of July, a new benefit year has started, so payments for September 2025 are based on your income from 2024. To get the basic OAS amount this month, you'll need to meet the following conditions:
- Be 65 or older
- Have a 2024 net world income below $148,541 if you're between 65 and 74, or under $154,196 if you're 75 or older
- Be a Canadian citizen or legal resident at the time your application is approved
- Have lived in Canada for at least 10 years since turning 18
If you live outside Canada, you might still be eligible — but only if you were a citizen or legal resident when you left and have spent at least 20 years in Canada as an adult.
Who is eligible for GIS or an Allowance?
If you're receiving Old Age Security and your income is low, you might qualify for the Guaranteed Income Supplement. For those between the ages of 60 and 64, there's also the Allowance and the Allowance for the Survivor, which provide additional support before OAS eligibility kicks in. These benefits are all managed by Service Canada and issued along with your regular OAS payments if you're approved.
The Guaranteed Income Supplement (GIS) is for OAS recipients living in Canada who meet specific income requirements. To qualify, you must be a Canadian citizen or legal resident, and eligibility depends on your annual income and whether you have a spouse or partner. OAS payments themselves aren't counted as income when calculating GIS.
Here are the current income limits for GIS eligibility:
- Single, widowed or divorced: under $22,272
- With a spouse or partner who also receives full OAS: combined income under $29,424
- With a partner who receives the Allowance: combined income under $41,184
- With a partner who doesn't get OAS or the Allowance: combined income under $53,376
The Allowance is for people aged 60 to 64 whose spouse or common-law partner is receiving the GIS. You must be a Canadian citizen or legal resident, currently live in Canada and have lived in the country for at least 10 years since turning 18. Your household income must be below $41,184.
The Allowance for the Survivor is for those between 60 and 64 whose spouse or partner has died. To qualify, you can't be remarried or in a new common-law relationship, and your personal income must be under $29,976. The same residency rules apply.
More about GIS, the Allowance and the Allowance for the Survivor
How to apply for Old Age Security
Most people don't need to fill out an application to start getting Old Age Security. After you turn 64, Service Canada usually sends you a letter confirming your eligibility and asking when you want your payments to begin. The same process applies for the Guaranteed Income Supplement if you also qualify.
You can start receiving OAS the month after your 65th birthday, or choose to delay it — all the way up to age 70. The longer you wait, the higher your monthly payment will be, and that increase is permanent once it kicks in.
If you're applying for the Allowance or the Allowance for the Survivor, though, you'll need to apply on your own. These payments aren't automatic. You can send in your application up to 11 months before you turn 60, or any time between the ages of 60 and 64 if your spouse or partner has passed away.
If you haven't received anything from Service Canada or need to submit the forms yourself, here's how you can apply:
- Online: Log in to your My Service Canada Account and complete the application there. Just be aware that you need to finish the entire form in one session — you can't save it and return later.
- By mail or in person: Download the application for OAS and GIS or the Allowance, depending on what you're applying for. Include certified copies of any required documents, then either mail your completed form or bring it to a Service Canada location.
How much is OAS in Canada?
Old Age Security payment amounts in Canada vary depending on your age, income and living situation. Service Canada reviews the rates quarterly — in January, April, July and October — to adjust for inflation. The most recent update took effect in July, so those figures still apply for September 2025.
Here's what you could receive this month at the maximum level:
- OAS pension: Up to $734.95 per month if you're between 65 and 74. Once you turn 75, that increases to $808.45 thanks to an automatic 10% bump that kicks in the month after your 75th birthday.
- Guaranteed Income Supplement (GIS): If you're single or your spouse or partner doesn't receive OAS or the Allowance, the maximum is $1,097.75. If your spouse or partner does receive OAS or the Allowance, the maximum drops to $660.78.
- Allowance: Up to $1,395.73 each month.
- Allowance for the Survivor: Up to $1,663.81 per month.
These are the maximum rates, but many people receive less. That's because all of these programs are income-tested — the higher your income, the lower your benefit.
If you're unsure what you might get, Service Canada offers an online OAS calculator that can estimate your payments for OAS, GIS and both Allowance programs.
Is Old Age Security taxable?
Yes, Old Age Security counts as taxable income in Canada, so you'll need to include it when you file your taxes each year.
Unless you request it, Service Canada won't automatically deduct federal tax from your monthly OAS payments. That means if you don't plan ahead, you could end up owing money when tax season rolls around.
To help manage this, you can ask Service Canada to withhold tax from your payments. This can be done online through your My Service Canada Account, or by filling out and submitting the paper request form.
If you don't arrange for tax to be withheld and your overall income is high enough, the CRA might ask you to make quarterly instalment payments instead.
When it's time to file, you'll receive a T4A(OAS) slip if you live in Canada, or an NR4 slip if you live abroad. These documents show how much you received in OAS and any tax that was taken off, so you can report it accurately on your return.
OAS payment dates 2025
Old Age Security payments usually land toward the end of each month, and the next one isn't far off — the September 2025 OAS deposit is scheduled for Thursday, September 25.
After that, here are the remaining OAS payment dates for 2025:
- Wednesday, October 29
- Wednesday, November 26
- Monday, December 22
Love this? Check out our Narcity noticeboard for details on jobs, benefits, travel info and more!
AI tools may have been used to support the creation or distribution of this content; however, it has been carefully edited and fact-checked by a member of Narcity's Editorial team. For more information on our use of AI, please visit our Editorial Standards page.
