Who Qualifies for Old Age Security? OAS Eligibility Rules

You qualify for Old Age Security at 65 if you are a Canadian citizen or legal resident and have lived in Canada at least 10 years since age 18. If you live outside Canada, you need at least 20 years. You don't need to have worked, but income over $152,062 (age 65 to 74) means no OAS.

By Sarah Moglin Fact-checked by Samuel Athur

Last verified November 10, 2026 How we check our facts

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The rules at a glance

	Living in Canada	Living outside Canada
Age	65 or older	65 or older
Status	Citizen or legal resident when the pension is approved	Citizen or legal resident the day before you left Canada
Years in Canada after 18	At least 10	At least 20

Work doesn't matter, income does

You can get OAS if you never worked or are still working. But your income must be under:

$152,062 if you are 65 to 74
$157,923 if you are 75 or older

These limits use your 2025 net world income. Between $93,454 and these limits, you get a reduced amount: see the OAS clawback.

What counts as income

Included: private and public pensions, CPP, EI and workers' compensation, salaries, rental income, RRSP withdrawals, taxable interest, dividends and capital gains.

Not included: OAS, GIS and Allowance payments, RDSP payments and GST/HST credit payments.

Time abroad that can count as living in Canada

Working abroad for a Canadian employer: it can count if you came back within 6 months after the job ended, or turned 65 while still working there. You will need proof of employment and proof you returned.
Spouses and dependants of people working abroad, and Canadians working for international organizations, may also qualify.
Countries with a social security agreement with Canada: time there may help you qualify.

Fewer than 40 years in Canada?

You get a partial pension: one fortieth of the full amount for each year. See partial OAS pension.

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. Partial OAS Pension: How Years in Canada Affect Your Amount If you lived in Canada fewer than 40 years after age 18, you get a partial OAS pension: the years you lived here divided by 40. With 20 years, you get 50% of the full pension, about $381.25 a month for October to December 2026. You need at least 10 years, or 20 if you live abroad. Getting OAS While Living Outside Canada: The 20-Year Rule You can keep receiving OAS abroad if you lived in Canada at least 20 years after age 18, or reach 20 years by adding time in a country with a social security agreement. The GIS is different: it stops if you are out of Canada for more than 6 months.

Frequently asked questions

Can I get OAS if I immigrated to Canada?

Yes, once you have lived in Canada at least 10 years after age 18 and are 65 or older. With fewer than 40 years, you get a partial pension.

Do I need a tax return to qualify?

You must file a tax return each year to keep receiving OAS. Your return is used to check your income.

Can I get OAS while still working?

Yes. Employment does not affect eligibility, but higher income can reduce your OAS through the recovery tax.

Sources

OAS: do you qualify (canada.ca, 2026-10-01) (canada.ca)
OAS: how much you could receive (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.