If you’re 65 or older and receiving government retirement benefits in Canada, there’s another payment coming your way soon.
The Old Age Security (OAS) program is a monthly benefit delivered by Service Canada to help seniors cover the cost of living in retirement. While many people are automatically enrolled when they turn 65, it’s worth double-checking your eligibility, especially if you’re nearing retirement or have spent time living abroad.
Here’s everything you need to know about this month’s payment.
When is the May 2025 OAS payment coming?
This month’s OAS payment is scheduled for Wednesday, May 28, 2025. Payments typically go out during the last week of each month and are either deposited directly into your account or sent by cheque, depending on your setup with Service Canada.
How much can you get?
For May 2025:
- Seniors aged 65 to 74 can receive up to $727.67
- Those aged 75 and over can receive up to $800.44
The amount you get depends on your income. OAS payments are adjusted quarterly based on inflation but are never reduced, even if inflation drops. To get a better idea of what you might receive, Service Canada offers an online OAS benefits estimator — it’s a quick way to check your estimated payment.
OAS payments are evaluated quarterly — in January, April, July, and October — to reflect changes in the cost of living. While amounts can increase with inflation, they won’t ever decrease.
More about OAS payment amounts
Who’s eligible?
You may qualify for OAS if you:
- Are 65 years old or older
- Are a Canadian citizen or legal resident
- Have lived in Canada for at least 10 years after turning 18
You may also qualify if you’ve moved abroad, provided you were a Canadian citizen or legal resident before leaving and lived in Canada for at least 20 years as an adult.
More about OAS eligibility
How to apply
Most seniors are automatically enrolled. If you’re eligible, Service Canada usually enrolls you automatically and sends a letter around your 64th birthday. It’ll outline your options and ask when you’d like to start payments — anytime from age 65 to 70. The later you start, the higher your monthly amount.
If you don’t get a letter within a month after turning 64, it’s worth contacting them. To apply, you can:
- Apply online through your My Service Canada Account (just be ready — you can’t save your progress).
- Apply by mail or in person with a completed paper form and certified documents.
More about applying for OAS
Is OAS taxable?
Yes, the OAS is considered taxable income. You can choose to have taxes deducted at the source or pay when filing your return. Either way, Service Canada provides the appropriate tax slips.
The government doesn’t automatically deduct taxes from your monthly OAS payments, but you can choose to have some withheld to avoid a larger tax bill at the end of the year.
To set it up, you can log into your My Service Canada Account or fill out the Request for Voluntary Federal Income Tax Deductions (CPP/OAS) form and send it to Service Canada.
More about OAS and your taxes
Upcoming OAS payment dates for 2025:
- June 26
- July 29
- August 27
- September 25
- October 29
- November 26
- December 22
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