Estimate your monthly Old Age Security (OAS) pension based on your years of residency in Canada, age, and net income, including the OAS recovery tax (clawback).
Based on 2024 OAS maximums and clawback threshold (example)
This calculator estimates your monthly Old Age Security (OAS) pension based on how many years you've lived in Canada since age 18, your age (since the maximum amount increases at 75), and your net income - which determines whether any of your OAS would be reduced by the OAS recovery tax (commonly called the "clawback").
Your base OAS amount depends on your years of Canadian residency relative to the 40-year requirement for a full pension (fewer years means a proportionally reduced amount), and on your age (a higher maximum applies at 75+). If your net income exceeds the OAS recovery tax threshold, a portion of your OAS is "clawed back" at a set rate.
Formula: Residency Ratio = min(Years of Residency, 40) ÷ 40. Base Monthly OAS = Maximum Monthly OAS (by age band) × Residency Ratio. Annual Clawback = max(0, (Net Income − Clawback Threshold) × 15%), capped at the full annual OAS amount. Net Annual OAS = Base Annual OAS − Clawback.
Example: With 40 years of Canadian residency (a full pension) and age 65 (maximum monthly OAS of CA$713.34, example figure), the base monthly OAS would be CA$713.34, or CA$8,560.08 annually. At a net annual income of CA$50,000 - below the example clawback threshold of CA$90,997 - no clawback would apply, so the net OAS equals the base amount: CA$713.34/month, CA$8,560.08/year. (Note: this example uses illustrative 2024 figures - actual maximum amounts, thresholds, and your residency history will differ.)
Unlike CPP, OAS isn't based on your work or contribution history - eligibility is based primarily on age (65+) and years of residency in Canada after age 18, with at least 10 years required to receive any OAS while living in Canada (different rules apply if living abroad). A full OAS pension requires 40 years of residency; fewer years result in a proportionally reduced amount. OAS is subject to the OAS recovery tax (clawback) if your net income exceeds an annual threshold (an example of roughly CA$90,997 is used here) - for every dollar of income above the threshold, 15 cents of OAS is clawed back, until OAS is reduced to zero at a higher income threshold. Like CPP, OAS amounts are indexed to inflation quarterly based on the Consumer Price Index (see our Inflation Calculator). Lower-income seniors may also qualify for the Guaranteed Income Supplement (GIS), an additional non-taxable benefit on top of OAS for those with little or no other income. You can also choose to defer starting OAS past 65 (up to age 70), which increases your monthly amount by approximately 0.6% for each month deferred - similar in concept to CPP deferral, though the specific rates differ.
No - unlike CPP, OAS eligibility is based on your age and years of residency in Canada after age 18, not on employment or contributions. Even someone who never worked could qualify for OAS based on residency alone, though the amount depends on how many years they lived in Canada.
The OAS recovery tax reduces your OAS pension if your net income exceeds an annual threshold (an example of roughly CA\$90,997 is used here). For every dollar of net income above the threshold, your annual OAS is reduced by 15 cents, until it reaches zero at a higher income level. This clawback is calculated based on your previous year's tax return and can result in reduced OAS payments or repayment requirements.
GIS is an additional, non-taxable monthly benefit for low-income OAS recipients, on top of the regular OAS pension. Eligibility and amount depend on your income (and your spouse's income, if applicable) - it's designed to help ensure a minimum income level for seniors with little other income. This calculator doesn't estimate GIS; check with Service Canada if your income may qualify you.
Yes - you can delay starting OAS past age 65, up to age 70, with your monthly amount increasing by approximately 0.6% for each month of deferral (roughly 36% higher if deferred a full 5 years to age 70). Whether deferral makes sense depends on your other income sources, health, and life expectancy.
The federal government increased the maximum OAS amount for recipients aged 75 and older by 10% (introduced in 2022), recognizing that older seniors often face higher costs and may have depleted other savings. This calculator uses a higher maximum monthly amount for the 75+ age band, as reflected in the example figures.
Pension income splitting between spouses can shift taxable income from a higher-income spouse to a lower-income one, potentially reducing the higher-income spouse's net income below the OAS clawback threshold (or reducing the amount clawed back). This is a common retirement tax planning strategy - consult a tax professional or financial adviser to see if it applies to your situation.
Disclaimer: The information, rates, and figures provided on this page are for educational and illustrative purposes only and do not constitute financial or retirement planning advice. The maximum OAS amounts, clawback threshold, and residency assumptions used are example figures and do not reflect your actual eligibility or current program parameters, which change periodically. For an accurate estimate, consult your My Service Canada Account or a qualified financial adviser.