The Canadian government offers retirement income to seniors aged 65 or above through the Old Age Security program. The monthly payment ensures the retirees have enough money to manage their finances and live a life without worrying about the basic expenses.
The retirees who meet the OAS benefit eligibility conditions are now anticipating their May 2025 payment. Based on the 2025 CRA payment calendar, the OAS May 2025 payment will be out on 28 May 2025 based on the yearly income in 2023.
The OAS payout is till June 2025, with 2023 as the base year, while from July 2025, 2024 will be the base year, and the recipients can expect a hike in their payout. The agency typically adjusts and assesses the OAS pension income every quarter to ensure it reflects the cost of living and average spending of the people.
| Benefit | Old Age Security |
| Who qualifies? | Seniors aged 65 or above who meet the criteria of living in Canada for years |
| Max. Payout Income Limit | $727.67 for the age limit of 65 to 74 and $800.44 for those aged 75 or above |
| Max. Payout | $727.67 for the age limit of 65 to 74, $800.44 for those aged 75 or above |
| Additional Benefits | GIS, GIS Allowance, and Survivor’s Allowance |
| Upcoming Payout | May 2025 |
| Payment Date | 28 May 2025 |
| Official Website | https://www.canada.ca/ |
Who can receive it?
Generally, Service Canada automatically enrolls retirees when they reach the age of 65 for the OAS pension, when their information is available via tax return or other means. However, if you do not receive the CRA letter, you may have to apply, and to ensure you meet the eligibility, you can check the conditions below:
- The seniors aged 65 or above have been living in Canada for a minimum of ten years since they reached adulthood, and they must have legal residency or citizenship.
- You can also apply if you are not living in Canada when you meet the age criteria, along with Canadian citizenship and legal residency, and since you have crossed 18, you have at least lived in Canada for 20 years.
- If you are a Canadian working abroad for a Canadian employer, like military personnel, banks, etc, you can be eligible for the OAS when you fulfill the following criteria:
- You have a residence in Canada when you were living abroad or still employed.
- You have the intention of coming back to the country after your work is done there within 6 months.
- You should at least present the proof of returning to Canada within six months of employment and employment proof from the employer.
- If none meet, you can still get the OAS pension income if you lived in countries with which Canada has a Social Security agreement, or you have contributed to the social benefits in those countries.
Payout Amount
The OAS recipients wondering about their payment amount should know that it would depend on their net income in 2023. Hence, the OAS pension income depends on the annual net income can check the maximum payout based on the age below:
| Age | 2023 Net Annual Income | Payout |
| 65 to 74 | Below $142,609 | $727.67 |
| 75 or above | Below $148, 179 | $800.44 |
The retirees will receive the OAS payout based on the month they turned 65 or the date they selected; however, if you have applied for the pension income and reached the 65 age or above, and the application is still under review, you can still receive the retroactive payment.
The next adjustment in the OAS pension will occur in July 2025, the recipients can expect a boost in the pension amount based on the consumer price index or inflation.
Additional Benefits
With the OAS pension support, the seniors of Canada can also unlock some additional benefits depending on their income to get more support, such as:
- Guaranteed Income Supplement: Non-taxable assistance is available for OAS recipients with an income under $22,056, and if they have a spouse or partner, that income must also meet the threshold. The higher GIS payout ranges from $654.23 to $1,086.88.
- Survivor Allowance: The survivors of the retirees can get the payment up to $1647,34 at age between 60 to 64, along with an income threshold under $29,712.
- Allowance: People whose age is between 60 to 64, earn income below $40,800 annually, and their partner received the GIS, receive the allowance up to $1381.90.
Report the changes
Canadians should report the following changes that occur in their life and affect their OAS pension payment to continue receiving the payout:
- Change in marital or relationship status;
- Address or contact information change
- Spouse or partner death
- Leaving Canada
- Imprisoned for 24 months or more
- Returning to Canada, etc.
Any change in living situation and circumstances must be reported to CRA to ensure you receive the accurate payout based on the changes on time.
The May 2025 OAS payout will be rolled out on 28 May 2025, along with extra benefits (if you are entitled to); recipients should mark the date and check if they received the payment or not.