In Canada, most government programs treat you as a senior at 65. That is when Old Age Security, the Guaranteed Income Supplement and the federal age amount tax credit start. But some benefits begin at 60, a few start at 55, and some rules change at 70, 71, 75 and 80.
There is no single legal “senior” age. Each program sets its own. This guide shows what changes at each age, with links to the official pages.
Senior ages at a glance
| Age | What changes |
|---|---|
| 55 | Manitoba’s 55 PLUS income supplement opens to low-income residents. Some stores and transit systems start seniors’ prices. |
| 60 | Earliest age to start CPP (or QPP in Quebec), at a reduced rate. The federal Allowance and Allowance for the Survivor (ages 60 to 64) become possible. |
| 64 | If you are enrolled in OAS automatically, you get a letter the month after you turn 64. |
| 65 | OAS pension, GIS, the standard CPP start age, the federal age amount tax credit, and most provincial seniors’ benefits and drug plans. |
| 70 | Last age for a bigger CPP or OAS by waiting. CPP is up to 42% higher, OAS up to 36% higher. |
| 71 | Your RRSP must be converted, cashed out or turned into an annuity by December 31 of the year you turn 71. |
| 72 | Latest start age with an increase for the Quebec Pension Plan. |
| 75 | OAS goes up by 10%. In Alberta, drivers need a medical report to renew their licence. |
| 80 | Age-based licence checks start in Ontario and B.C., and Alberta’s medical report is due again. |
Old Age Security: 65 (or later, up to 70)
The OAS pension starts at 65. You need to have lived in Canada for at least 10 years after age 18 if you live here, or 20 years if you live abroad. You can get it even if you never worked or are still working.
Many people are enrolled automatically and get a letter the month after they turn 64. If you don’t get one, you need to apply.
- Waiting pays more. You can delay OAS for up to 5 years. It grows by 0.6% for each month you wait, up to 36% more at 70. Waiting past 70 adds nothing.
- At 75 it goes up. OAS rises by 10% automatically the month after your 75th birthday.
- High income reduces it. For July 2026 to June 2027, the clawback starts at net income of $93,454, and OAS stops completely at $152,062 (ages 65 to 74).
The maximum from July to September 2026 is $751.97 a month at 65 to 74, and $827.17 at 75 and over. See our OAS payment dates for current amounts and deposit days.
The Allowance: 60 to 64
The Allowance is part of the OAS program for people aged 60 to 64 with low income whose spouse or common-law partner gets OAS and the GIS. The Allowance for the Survivor is for low-income people aged 60 to 64 whose spouse or partner has died and who haven’t remarried or entered a new common-law relationship.
Both require at least 10 years in Canada after age 18. From July to September 2026, the Allowance pays up to $1,428.06 a month, and the Allowance for the Survivor up to $1,702.34. Both stop at 65, when you move to OAS and the GIS. See Allowance payment dates.
Canada Pension Plan: 60 to 70, standard at 65
You can start your CPP retirement pension as early as 60 or as late as 70. The standard age is 65. The age you choose changes your payment for life.
| Start age | Change from your age-65 amount |
|---|---|
| 60 | 36% less (0.6% less for each month before 65) |
| 65 | No change |
| 70 | 42% more (0.7% more for each month after 65) |
The 2026 maximum at 65 is $1,507.65 a month, but the average for new retirees at 65 was $877.01 in April 2026. Your own amount depends on how much and how long you paid in. You can compare start ages with our CPP start age calculator and check deposit days on our CPP payment dates page.
If you worked in Quebec, you are covered by the Quebec Pension Plan instead. It can start from 60, and you can wait as late as 72.
Guaranteed Income Supplement: 65
The GIS is a monthly top-up for people 65 and over who get OAS and have a low income. A single person qualifies with income under $22,800 a year. From July to September 2026, the most a single senior can get is $1,123.17 a month.
GIS is based on last year’s tax return, so file every year, even with little or no income. See our GIS payment dates.
Tax breaks: 65 and 71
Age amount (65). If you were 65 or older on December 31, you can claim the age amount on line 30100. For the 2025 tax year, the full federal amount was $9,028 if your net income was $45,522 or less. It shrinks as income rises and ends at $105,709. Provinces and territories have their own age amounts too.
RRSP deadline (71). December 31 of the year you turn 71 is the last day to contribute to your own RRSP. By then you must choose one of three options: cash it out (tax is withheld), move it to a RRIF, or buy an annuity. A RRIF must start paying you a minimum amount the year after it is set up.
Provincial seniors’ benefits: usually 65
Several provinces add a monthly top-up for low-income seniors. Most use the same test: you must be 65 or older and get OAS and the GIS.
| Program | Age | Key rule |
|---|---|---|
| Ontario GAINS | 65+ | Get OAS and GIS. Up to $92 a month. No application if you already get both. |
| Alberta Seniors Benefit | 65+ | Get OAS, lived in Alberta 3 months. Can start the month you turn 65. Income under $32,690 (single). |
| B.C. Senior’s Supplement | 65+ (or 60 to 64 on the Allowance) | Get OAS and GIS. Up to $99.30 a month (single). |
| Saskatchewan Seniors Income Plan | 65+ | Get OAS and GIS. Up to $360 a month (single, at home). No application needed. |
| Manitoba 55 PLUS | 55+ | Low income and a Manitoba Health number. Under 65, singles can earn up to $9,746.40 a year. |
Seniors’ drug plans: 65
Provincial drug plans often change at 65. Two examples:
- Ontario. You join the Ontario Drug Benefit automatically on the first day of the month after you turn 65. Ontario sends a letter about 3 months before your birthday. You pay the first $100 of prescription costs each year (August to July), then up to $6.11 per prescription. With lower income (under $25,480 single or $42,290 for a couple for August 2026 to July 2027), the Seniors Co-Payment Program removes the $100 and cuts the fee to $2 or less. You have to apply for it.
- Alberta. Coverage for Seniors is added to your health coverage automatically on the first of the month after you turn 65. It has no premium. You pay 30% of each prescription, up to $35 (since April 1, 2026).
Store and transit discounts: 55, 60 or 65
Businesses and cities pick their own age. Many seniors’ days, fares and admission prices start at 55, 60 or 65, and the same company can use different ages in different places. Always ask before you pay, and carry photo ID that shows your birth date.
See our guide to senior discounts in Canada for programs we could confirm on each company’s own site.
Driver’s licences: 75 or 80
Some provinces add checks when you renew your licence later in life. In B.C., the province says it doesn’t cancel a licence just because of age.
- Ontario: from 80, you renew every 2 years with a vision test and a short screening exercise. A road test is needed only if the results call for one. The renewal fee is $36.
- British Columbia: a driver’s medical exam at 80, at 85 and every 2 years after. It is not a road test.
- Alberta: a medical report at 75, at 80 and every 2 years after 80.
Planning around these ages
File your taxes every year, since GIS, the Allowance and most provincial top-ups are based on your return. Starting CPP or OAS early means smaller payments for life, so plan the timing.
Our guides for turning 60 and turning 64 or 65 list the steps for each birthday.
Common questions
What age is considered a senior in Canada?
For most federal and provincial programs, it is 65. That is when OAS, GIS and the age amount start. Stores and transit systems set their own ages, often 55, 60 or 65.
Can I get government benefits at 60?
Yes. You can start CPP at 60 with a 36% reduction. If your spouse gets OAS and GIS, or you are widowed, and your income is low, you may get the Allowance from 60 to 64.
Do I have to apply for OAS at 65?
Not always. Many people are enrolled automatically and get a letter the month after they turn 64. If you don’t get that letter, you need to apply.
What is the latest age to start CPP?
70. Each month you wait after 65 adds 0.7%, up to 42% more at 70. There is no extra increase for waiting longer.
At what age do you have to close your RRSP?
By December 31 of the year you turn 71. You can move it to a RRIF, buy an annuity or cash it out, which is taxed.
