Once you turn 75, your Old Age Security (OAS) pension goes up by 10% for good. The increase started in July 2022 and is automatic: it begins the month after your 75th birthday, with no form to fill out. For October to December 2026, the maximum OAS pension is $838.75 a month at 75 and over, compared with $762.50 a month from 65 to 74.
Here’s how much the increase is worth, who gets it, and what it does and doesn’t change.
How much you can get
OAS amounts are reviewed every January, April, July and October to keep up with the cost of living, as measured by the Consumer Price Index. These are the maximum monthly amounts published by the Government of Canada.
| Period | Age 65 to 74 | Age 75 and over |
|---|---|---|
| July to September 2026 | $751.97 a month | $827.17 a month |
| October to December 2026 | $762.50 a month | $838.75 a month |
At the maximum, the age-75 increase adds $75.20 a month for July to September 2026, or $902.40 over a full year at that rate. For October to December 2026 it adds $76.25 a month, or $915.00 over a full year at that rate. Your own amount may be lower if you get a partial pension or if part of your OAS is being recovered because of higher income.
For October to December 2026, OAS benefits rose by 1.4% based on changes in the Consumer Price Index. The new maximums are $762.50 a month from 65 to 74 and $838.75 a month at 75 and over, as posted on the OAS payment amounts page.
Income limits are higher at 75
If your income is high, part or all of your OAS is paid back through the OAS recovery tax (often called the clawback). You repay 15% of your net world income above a set threshold. Because the pension is larger at 75, it takes a higher income before it is fully clawed back.
| Payments from July 2026 to June 2027 (based on 2025 income) | Age 65 to 74 | Age 75 and over |
|---|---|---|
| Net world income at which OAS stops completely | $152,062 | $157,923 |
The recovery threshold, where the 15% repayment starts, is $93,454 for 2025 income and $95,323 for 2026 income. It’s the same at every age. For the full details, see our guide to the OAS clawback.
Who qualifies
You get the 10% increase if:
- you are receiving the OAS pension, and
- you are 75 or older.
People who were already 75 or older in July 2022 got the increase then. Everyone else gets it once they turn 75.
The increase is to the OAS pension. It doesn’t raise the Guaranteed Income Supplement (GIS). Canada.ca says the 10% increase will not affect your GIS payment amount.
How you get it
There’s nothing to apply for. Here’s what happens:
- You turn 75 while getting the OAS pension.
- Service Canada adds the 10% increase automatically, starting the month after your 75th birthday.
- The higher amount is included in your regular monthly OAS payment from then on.
Example: if you turn 75 in October 2026, your OAS pension goes up by 10% starting in November 2026.
The increase only applies once you’re receiving the OAS pension itself. If you’re not sure whether you’re getting everything you qualify for, the benefits checkup can help you see what to look into.
If you delayed your OAS
You can choose to start OAS later than 65. For each month you delay, your pension goes up by 0.6%, which is 7.2% a year, up to 36% at age 70. For October to December 2026, that means a maximum of $1,037.00 a month if you start at 70, compared with $762.50 at 65. The 10% increase at 75 is a separate, automatic increase to your OAS pension.
When it’s paid
The increase is part of your normal monthly OAS payment, so it comes on the same date as the rest of your pension. The remaining OAS payment dates for 2026 are:
| Month | OAS payment date |
|---|---|
| October 2026 | October 28 |
| November 2026 | November 26 |
| December 2026 | December 22 |
Canada.ca notes that payments are issued on these dates but may take a few days to arrive. The October 28 payment is the first one in the October to December quarter, so it’s the first to include the 1.4% cost-of-living increase. See all dates on our OAS payment dates page.
Things to watch for
- The first increase comes the month after your birthday. If you turn 75 this month, don’t expect the higher amount until next month’s payment.
- GIS doesn’t go up by 10%. If you get the GIS, only your OAS pension part rises at 75. Your GIS still changes each quarter with the cost of living.
- File your taxes every year. Canada.ca says you must submit a tax return each year to keep receiving your OAS pension.
- High income still means clawback. The 10% increase doesn’t protect you from the recovery tax. It only raises the income level where OAS stops completely.
- Living outside Canada. You may need to file an OAS Return of Income by April 30. If the Canada Revenue Agency doesn’t receive it, your OAS payments stop starting in July.
Watch for scams. The government never asks for a payment or gift cards to release a benefit. If a call, text or email asks for money or your banking details to “unlock” your OAS increase, don’t click or reply. Contact Service Canada yourself, and see our scam guide.
Common questions
Does OAS go up at 75?
Yes. Your OAS pension goes up by 10% automatically, starting the month after your 75th birthday. The increase has been in place since July 2022 and is permanent.
How much is OAS for someone over 75 in 2026?
For October to December 2026, the maximum is $838.75 a month at 75 and over, compared with $762.50 from 65 to 74. That is 1.4% higher than July to September 2026.
Do I need to apply for the OAS increase at 75?
No. If you already get the OAS pension, the 10% increase is added automatically.
Does the 10% increase apply to the GIS?
No. The 10% increase is for the OAS pension only and won’t affect your Guaranteed Income Supplement amount.
What is the OAS clawback limit for seniors over 75?
For payments from July 2026 to June 2027, OAS stops completely at a 2025 net world income of $157,923 if you’re 75 or older, compared with $152,062 from 65 to 74. Repayment starts above $93,454 for 2025 income.
When will I see the increase after I turn 75?
In the payment for the month after your 75th birthday. For example, if you turn 75 in October 2026, the higher amount starts with your November 2026 payment on November 26.
