Ottawa, January 25, 2026, The first Old Age Security payment of 2026 will be issued on January 28, 2026, and it comes with a confirmed increase for the new quarter. This payment reflects the newly indexed January to March 2026 OAS rates, making it an important date for millions of Canadian seniors.
Unlike the Canada Pension Plan, which is adjusted annually, Old Age Security is reviewed every quarter. Any increase tied to inflation shows up faster, and January is always one of the most closely watched months for seniors planning their income.
With just days left before the first deposit of the year, this guide explains what is changing, who benefits from the increase, the complete OAS payment schedule for 2026, updated maximum OAS and GIS amounts, and key eligibility rules that affect long term residents, newcomers, and higher income seniors.
Old Age Security is a monthly pension benefit paid by the Government of Canada to eligible seniors starting at age 65.
Unlike CPP, OAS is not based on employment history or contributions. You do not need to have worked in Canada to qualify. Your OAS entitlement depends mainly on:
OAS payments are taxable income, which means they count toward your total income at tax time and can affect income tested benefits or recovery thresholds.
For most recipients, OAS and CPP are deposited on the same day, making end of month payment dates especially important for household budgeting.
For the January to March 2026 quarter, Old Age Security benefits increased by 0.3 percent, based on changes in the Consumer Price Index.
Government of Canada materials also confirm this represents a 2.0 percent increase year over year, comparing January 2025 to January 2026.
What makes OAS unique is how indexing works:
If inflation slows or turns negative, OAS payments simply remain unchanged until the next CPI driven increase. This creates long term stability for seniors relying on predictable income.
The next OAS payment, and the first of 2026, will be issued on January 28, 2026. Below is the full OAS payment calendar for 2026.
| Month | Payment Date |
|---|---|
| January | January 28, 2026 |
| February | February 25, 2026 |
| March | March 27, 2026 |
| April | April 28, 2026 |
| May | May 27, 2026 |
| June | June 26, 2026 |
| July | July 29, 2026 |
| August | August 27, 2026 |
| September | September 25, 2026 |
| October | October 28, 2026 |
| November | November 26, 2026 |
| December | December 22, 2026 |
Important note: The government warns that deposits may take a few days to appear, especially for cheque recipients. Direct deposit remains the fastest and most reliable option.
For the first quarter of 2026, the Government of Canada lists the following maximum monthly OAS pension amounts.
| Age Group | Maximum Monthly OAS |
|---|---|
| Age 65 to 74 | $742.31 |
| Age 75 and over | $816.54 |
Two key points seniors should remember:
Seniors aged 75 and over receive a higher amount because OAS for this group was permanently increased by 10 percent in July 2022.
Many seniors say they receive OAS, but their bank deposit often includes multiple benefits paid together.
On OAS payment dates, the government may deposit:
| Benefit Type | Maximum Monthly Amount |
|---|---|
| GIS for a single senior | $1,108.74 |
| Allowance | $1,409.72 |
| Allowance for the Survivor | $1,680.47 |
This explains why some seniors see deposits well above the OAS maximum alone.
While OAS follows quarterly CPI indexing, GIS and Allowance benefits are recalculated each July based on income from the previous calendar year.
As a result:
GIS is not taxable, but it is strictly income tested, which is why annual income planning matters.
OAS eligibility is based on age and residence, not work history. To qualify, you must:
There are three common eligibility paths:
Turning 65 alone does not guarantee full OAS. Residence history after age 18 determines how much you receive.
Many newcomers misunderstand how partial OAS works. If you lived in Canada for at least 10 years but fewer than 40 years after age 18, you qualify for partial OAS.
| Years in Canada After Age 18 | OAS Type |
|---|---|
| 40 years or more | Full OAS |
| 10 to 39 years | Partial OAS |
| Less than 10 years | Usually not eligible |
Partial OAS can still be valuable, especially when combined with:
OAS is taxable and may be subject to recovery tax, commonly known as the OAS clawback. For 2026, repayment ranges are:
| Age Group | Repayment Income Range |
|---|---|
| Age 65 to 74 | $95,323 to $154,708 |
| Age 75 and over | Up to $160,647 |
Net world income includes your OAS pension itself. Many high income seniors still qualify for OAS but must repay part or all of it at tax time.
OAS does not have to start at 65. If you delay receiving OAS, your pension increases by 0.6 percent per month, up to a maximum increase of 36 percent at age 70.
Deferring is usually not ideal for seniors who qualify for GIS, since delaying reduces near term income support.
The easiest way to confirm your payment amount is through your Service Canada account and the OAS Benefits Estimator. If your January 28 payment does not arrive:
Cheque payments often arrive later than direct deposit.
Yes. The January payment reflects a 0.3 percent increase for the January to March 2026 quarter.
The maximum monthly OAS is $742.31 for ages 65 to 74 and $816.54 for ages 75 and over.
No. OAS rates increase with inflation and never decrease.
The January 28, 2026 OAS payment is the first deposit of the year and the first one calculated using the new quarterly rates.
OAS offers seniors something rare in retirement planning: predictable income with built in inflation protection. However, actual payment amounts depend on residence history, income level, GIS eligibility, and recovery tax rules.
For the most accurate confirmation of what you will receive, check your Service Canada account and compare your January deposit with your previous payment.
