OAS Payment Dates 2026: Full Schedule, Eligibility, Payment Amounts and Clawback Rules
Old Age Security (OAS) is an important source of monthly retirement income for millions of Canadian seniors. Unlike the Canada Pension Plan (CPP), OAS is not based on how much you contributed while working. Eligibility is primarily determined by age and Canadian residency requirements.
Knowing the OAS payment dates for 2026 can make it easier to plan monthly expenses, bill payments and other retirement costs. The Government of Canada has published the complete OAS payment schedule for the year.
OAS Payment Dates for 2026
OAS payments are generally issued once a month. The official 2026 OAS payment schedule is:
| Month | OAS Payment Date |
|---|---|
| January | January 28, 2026 |
| February | February 25, 2026 |
| March | March 27, 2026 |
| April | April 28, 2026 |
| May | May 27, 2026 |
| June | June 26, 2026 |
| July | July 29, 2026 |
| August | August 27, 2026 |
| September | September 25, 2026 |
| October | October 28, 2026 |
| November | November 26, 2026 |
| December | December 22, 2026 |
As of August 13, 2026, the next OAS payment date is August 27, 2026. OAS, the Guaranteed Income Supplement (GIS), Allowance and Allowance for the Survivor follow the Old Age Security payment schedule.
Who Qualifies for OAS in Canada?
Eligibility for OAS is based mainly on age, legal status and how long you have lived in Canada rather than your employment history.
Generally, applicants must meet the following conditions:
- Be at least 65 years old.
- If living in Canada, be a Canadian citizen or legal resident when the application is approved and have lived in Canada for at least 10 years after age 18.
- If applying while living outside Canada, generally have been a Canadian citizen or legal resident when leaving Canada and have lived in Canada for at least 20 years after age 18.
Because OAS is residence-based, you may qualify even if you have never worked in Canada or are still working at age 65 or older.
How Much Is OAS in 2026?
OAS benefit amounts are reviewed four times each year—in January, April, July and October—to reflect increases in the cost of living.
For January through March 2026, the maximum monthly OAS pension was $742.31 for people aged 65 to 74 and $816.54 for those aged 75 and older.
For July through September 2026, the maximum increased to $751.97 for ages 65 to 74 and $827.17 for people aged 75 and over.
These are maximum figures. Your actual OAS payment may be different depending on your age, income and number of years of Canadian residence.
What Determines Your OAS Payment?
Several factors can affect how much OAS you receive.
A full basic OAS pension generally requires 40 years of residence in Canada after age 18. People with fewer qualifying years may receive a partial pension.
You can also delay starting OAS after age 65. Your pension increases by 0.6% for every month of deferral, equivalent to 7.2% per year, up to a maximum increase of 36% at age 70. There is no additional advantage to delaying OAS beyond age 70.
Income can also reduce OAS through the recovery tax, commonly known as the OAS clawback.
OAS Clawback Rules for 2026
For the July 2026 to June 2027 recovery-tax period, payments are affected by 2025 income. If your 2025 net world income exceeded $93,454, you may need to repay part of your OAS pension. The recovery amount is generally calculated at 15% of income above the threshold.
For this payment period, OAS can be fully recovered at higher income levels: approximately $152,062 for recipients aged 65 to 74 and $157,923 for recipients aged 75 and older.
Is OAS Taxable?
Yes. OAS pension payments are taxable income. Taxes are not automatically deducted unless you request deductions. Seniors can start, change or stop voluntary federal or provincial tax deductions through their My Service Canada Account (MSCA).
Planning Around Your 2026 OAS Payments
Keeping track of OAS deposit dates can make monthly budgeting more predictable. Seniors may want to schedule major bills after their expected payment date and maintain some extra funds for unexpected expenses.
OAS recipients can receive their pension by direct deposit into an eligible bank account. Service Canada allows recipients to set up or update direct-deposit information, including through MSCA.
The OAS payment dates for 2026 run from January 28 through December 22, with one scheduled payment each month. Eligible Canadians aged 65 and older should remember that their actual benefit can vary depending on residence history, the age at which OAS begins and annual income.
With the remaining payments scheduled for August 27, September 25, October 28, November 26 and December 22, 2026, marking these dates can help seniors better organize their budgets and prepare for upcoming expenses.
Because OAS amounts are adjusted quarterly, recipients should also check the latest Government of Canada figures when planning their retirement income.
