Should You Delay OAS to 70? How Deferral Raises Your Pension

Each month you delay Old Age Security after 65 adds 0.6% to your pension, up to 36% at age 70. A full pension of $762.50 at 65 becomes $1,037.00 a month at 70. Delaying makes no sense if you qualify for the GIS, because GIS doesn't increase and you can't get it without OAS.

By Sarah Moglin Fact-checked by Samuel Athur

Last verified November 10, 2026 How we check our facts

Free tool: OAS and GIS Estimator 2026: Estimate Your Old Age Security

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How much more you get by waiting

Start age	Increase	Maximum per month (Oct to Dec 2026)
65	None	$762.50
66	7.2%	$817.40
67	14.4%	$872.30
68	21.6%	$927.20
69	28.8%	$982.10
70	36%	$1,037.00

There is no extra increase after 70, so start by then at the latest.

When delaying can make sense

You are healthy and expect to live a long time.
You have other income to live on.
You have fewer than 40 years in Canada. Years you add before starting can raise a partial pension. Once OAS starts, more years in Canada don't count.

When to start at 65

You qualify for the Guaranteed Income Supplement. You can't get GIS without OAS, and GIS does not increase if you wait.
Your spouse or partner wants the Allowance, which also needs your OAS.
You need the money now.
You live abroad with fewer than 20 years in Canada, in a country with no social security agreement. Delaying won't raise your payment.

How to delay

In My Service Canada Account, go to Profile, then "Delay Receiving OAS/GIS Pension". You can also use the paper form ISP-3550.

Started already and changed your mind? You can cancel or delay within 6 months of your first payment, by letter to Service Canada.

OAS vs CPP timing

CPP can start as early as 60. OAS can't start before 65. Many people take them at different ages.

Phone numbers

CPP and OAS (also Personal Access Codes for returning CPP/OAS clients)

1-800-277-9914

Agents: Monday to Friday, 8:30 am to 4:30 pm local time. Automated: 24/7.

From outside Canada and the U.S.: 1-613-957-1954 (collect, Eastern time)

TTY: 1-800-255-4786

Old Age Security (OAS) 2026: Amounts, Eligibility and How to Apply Old Age Security is a monthly pension for people 65 and older who have lived in Canada at least 10 years after age 18. For October to December 2026 the maximum is $762.50 a month at 65 to 74 and $838.75 at 75 and over. Most people are enrolled automatically. CPP Calculator: How to Estimate Your CPP Pension Your personal CPP estimate is in My Service Canada Account under "View my benefit estimates". The government's Canadian Retirement Income Calculator combines CPP, OAS and your savings and shows estimates at ages 60, 65 and 70. The maximum CPP at 65 for January 2026 is $1,507.65 a month. Free tool OAS and GIS Estimator 2026: Estimate Your Old Age Security Enter your age, years in Canada, start age and income to estimate your monthly OAS for October to December 2026, including a partial pension, the delay bonus, the 10% increase at 75 and the clawback. It also tells you if you may qualify for the GIS.

Frequently asked questions

How much does OAS increase if I wait until 70?

36%. The October to December 2026 maximum goes from $762.50 at 65 to $1,037.00 at 70.

Can I get back payments if I delayed?

Not for the months you chose to delay. If you simply applied late without choosing to delay, up to 11 months of back payments may be possible.

Does delaying OAS increase my GIS?

No. GIS and Allowance amounts do not increase when you delay OAS.

Sources

When to start your OAS pension (canada.ca, 2026-10-02) (canada.ca)
Receiving your pension (canada.ca)

North Help Desk is an independent guide, not a government website. Rules, amounts and phone hours can change; always confirm on the official page before you act. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.