Government of Canada has confirmed that OAS benefits will go up by 0.1% for the quarter from April to June 2026. This means that the benefits will have gone up by 2.1% compared to April 2025.
This quarterly increase keeps the OAS program’s inflation-protection mechanism in place. Seniors got a 0.3% rise from January to March, which is the same amount as this quarter.
Almost seven million Canadians get OAS payments every month. Knowing how this increase in April will affect their monthly deposits will help them make plans for the spring and summer.
$628 Grocery Rebate March 2026 Update: Payment Dates And Eligibility Checks For Canadian Recipients
This guide covers the new payment amounts, important dates, provincial factors, and eligibility requirements that will determine what you actually get.
A look at the OAS payment for April 2026
The table below shows the most important information for the next quarterly adjustment.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| The first payment date for Q2 | Tuesday, April 28, 2026 |
| Quarterly Adjustment | 0.1% rise from April to June 2026 |
| Change from Year to Year | 2.1% more than in April 2025 |
| Previous Quarter Rate | 0.3% rise (January to March 2026) |
| Next Quarterly Review | July 2026 |
| Eligible Recipients | Canadians who are 65 or older and meet residency requirements |
The 0.1% quarterly increase is less than the 0.3% increase that went into effect in January because inflation was only moderate during the measurement period.
No matter what the economy is like, your April payment will be a little higher than your March payment because OAS never goes down, even when inflation goes down over time.
Updated Maximum Payment Amounts for Q2 2026
This is the most money that people who have lived in Canada for 40 years or more after turning 18 can get in their OAS pension each month.
OAS Pension Based on Age Group
Seniors 75 years old and older can still get the permanent 10% increase that started in July 2022 to make up for the fact that older Canadians earn less and healthcare costs more.
The monthly increase doesn’t seem like much, but it adds up over time with the quarterly changes that are coming up.
When the age-based boost kicks in for their first payment after their birthday in 2026, seniors who turn 75 will see a bigger overall increase.
Partial OAS Pension Amounts
Not everyone gets the full OAS amount. The amount you get is based on how many years you lived in Canada after you turned eighteen.
| Years of Residence | Percentage of Maximum | Amount for Q2 2026 (65-74) |
|---|---|---|
| 100% for 40 years or more | $743.05 | |
| 30 years | 75% | $557.29 |
| 20 years | 50% | $371.53 |
| Ten years (at least) | 25% | $185.76 |
Immigrants who came to Canada later in life often get partial pensions instead.
But international social security agreements with more than 50 countries may take into account time spent living in another country when deciding if someone is eligible.
How the Quarterly Indexation System Works
OAS reviews its rates every three months, which is faster than the Canada Pension Plan, which only makes changes once a year in January.
This system was made to protect older people from sudden rises in the cost of living.
Every January, April, July, and October, Service Canada looks at the Consumer Price Index data from Statistics Canada to see how much OAS money is available.
The adjustment calculation compares two three-month CPI periods: the most recent data that is available and the most recent period that led to an increase.
When prices go up in the most recent period compared to earlier periods, OAS goes up by the percentage difference calculated.
Payments don’t go down when prices go down or stay the same over time.
When to Make Quarterly Changes in 2026
| Months of the Quarter | Payment Status | Adjustment |
|---|---|---|
| January to March 2026 | Finished | +0.3% |
| Q2 2026 April–June | Verified | +0.1% |
| Q3 2026 July–September | TBD | pending CPI data |
| Q4 2026 October to December | TBD | pending CPI data |
The July 2026 adjustment is very important because it happens at the same time as the annual GIS recalculation based on the previous year’s tax returns.
News about Guaranteed Income Supplements
Low-income seniors who get OAS may also be able to get the Guaranteed Income Supplement, which is a tax-free monthly payment that gives them more help on top of their regular pension.
Along with OAS, GIS amounts are also changed every three months, but you can only get them if your income from the previous tax year is low enough to qualify.
Maximum GIS Amounts for Q2 2026
| Recipient Type | Maximum Monthly GIS |
|---|---|
| Single, widowed, or divorced | $1,086.88 |
| Spouse gets full OAS pension | $654.23 |
| Spouse does not get OAS | $1,086.88 |
| Spouse gets allowance | $654.23 |
Your actual GIS amount goes down as your income goes up. Your GIS goes down by one dollar for every two dollars of income over certain limits.
For the benefit year 2025–2026, a single person must have an annual income of about $21,624 to be eligible for any GIS.
Recalculation of GIS in July 2026
Every July, Service Canada uses the tax return from the previous year to figure out how much GIS to give out.
If you made less money in 2025 than you did in 2024, your July 2026 GIS payment may be higher than the usual quarterly adjustment.
So, for people who get GIS, it’s very important to file their taxes on time.
Tax Thresholds for OAS Recovery in 2026
The OAS recovery tax lets seniors with higher incomes get back some of their OAS pension through income-based clawback system.
The recovery tax rate is 15 cents for every dollar of net world income over the minimum level.
Ways to Lower OAS Clawback
If you time your RRSP withdrawals carefully, you can avoid spikes that lead to higher clawback rates and keep your income steady over time.
Pension sharing can lower the higher earner’s income below the clawback threshold while still keeping the household in same tax bracket.
Putting money into TFSAs instead of RRSPs during your working years creates retirement income that is tax-free and does not count against your net income.
When OAS payments will be made in 2026
OAS payments come at the end of each month, usually on the same day as CPP deposits.
| Month | Date of Payment | Quarter |
|---|---|---|
| April 28, 2026 | Q2 begins | |
| May 27, 2026 | Q2 | |
| June 26, 2026 | Q2 ends | |
| July 29, 2026 | Q3 begins | |
| August 27, 2026 | Q3 | |
| September 25, 2026 | Q3 ends | |
| October 28, 2026 | Q4 begins | |
| November 26, 2026 | Q4 | |
| December 22, 2026 | Q4 |
Most people who get direct deposits see money in their accounts on the morning of the payment date.
Requirements and Rules for Residency
Because residency, not work contributions, determines OAS eligibility, it is very different from CPP rules.
Basic Requirements to Be Eligible
- You must be at least 65 years old to get OAS.
- You must be a citizen or legal resident of Canada.
- You must have lived in Canada for at least ten years after turning eighteen.
- You must have lived outside of Canada for 20 years after turning 18.
Delaying Your OAS to Get More Money
If you wait to get OAS until after you turn 65, your last payment goes up by 0.6% each month.
If you wait the full five years until age 70, you’ll get a permanent 36% increase.
| Age | Deferral Period | Growth | Amount |
|---|---|---|---|
| 65 | None | 0% | $743.05 |
| 66 | 1 year | +7.2% | $796.55 |
| 67 | 2 years | +14.4% | $850.05 |
| 68 | 3 years | +21.6% | $903.55 |
| 69 | 4 years | +28.8% | $957.05 |
| 70 | 5 years | +36% | $1,010.55 |
Frequently asked questions, or FAQs
Can I get both CPP and OAS at the same time?
Most seniors in Canada do get both OAS and CPP, even though they are two separate programs with different eligibility requirements.
What will happen to my OAS if I leave Canada after I start making payments?
Your OAS payments will continue no matter where you live if you lived in Canada for at least 20 years after turning 18.
How does getting OAS affect my taxes?
You must report your OAS income on your yearly tax return because it is fully taxable income.
Can my spouse still get the allowance if I’m on OAS?
The Allowance is a monthly payment for spouses or common-law partners of GIS recipients who are between the ages of 60 and 64.
Will OAS keep going up every three months forever?
The OAS goes up when the Consumer Price Index goes up between measurements, but it never goes down when inflation goes down.
