If you’re 65 or older and count on Canada’s Old Age Security (OAS) payments to help cover everyday expenses, your September cheque is right around the corner.
OAS is adjusted every three months to keep up with inflation. The most recent increase took effect in July, and those updated rates remain in place for September.
Here’s what to know about this month’s payment, including the deposit date, eligibility rules, and how much you could receive.
What is Old Age Security in Canada?
Old Age Security is a federal pension program that pays monthly benefits to Canadians once they reach 65. Unlike the Canada Pension Plan, it doesn’t depend on your work history — eligibility is based mainly on age and residency.
Most people are enrolled automatically and get a letter from Service Canada before payments begin. Depending on your income and household situation, you may also qualify for additional support through the Guaranteed Income Supplement (GIS) or the Allowance, which are issued along with your regular OAS payment.
Who qualifies for OAS?
OAS isn’t based on your work history, which sets it apart from pensions like the Canada Pension Plan. Instead, eligibility depends on your age, residency, and income. To qualify, you must:
- Be 65 or older
- Be a Canadian citizen or legal resident
- Have lived in Canada for at least 10 years since age 18
If you live outside the country now, you can still qualify as long as you spent at least 20 years living in Canada as an adult and were a citizen or legal resident when you left.
High-income seniors may face a clawback, officially called the OAS recovery tax. For 2025, repayments begin once your annual income exceeds $148,541 (ages 65–74) or $154,196 (75 and older).
More about OAS eligibility
How much can you get in September 2025?
The maximum OAS amounts haven’t changed since the July 1 update, when payments were adjusted to reflect inflation. Here’s what seniors are eligible for this fall:
- Ages 65 to 74: up to $734.95 per month
- Ages 75 and over: up to $808.45 per month (thanks to a permanent 10% boost that begins the month after your 75th birthday)
If you qualify for additional support programs, like the Guaranteed Income Supplement (GIS) or the Allowance, your monthly total could be much higher. Depending on your household income and living situation, it could reach well over $1,800.
OAS rates are reviewed quarterly in January, April, July, and October. While payments can increase, they won’t decrease even if inflation slows.
More about OAS payment amounts
Who can get the GIS or the Allowance?
Some seniors qualify for more than just the basic OAS pension. If your income is low, Service Canada may add extra support directly to your monthly payment through the Guaranteed Income Supplement (GIS) or one of the Allowance programs.
Guaranteed Income Supplement (GIS):
- Available to OAS recipients living in Canada.
- Your OAS pension isn’t counted as income when deciding eligibility.
- You must be a Canadian citizen or legal resident.
- Current income thresholds are:
- Single, widowed or divorced: under $22,272
- Couple where both partners get OAS: under $29,424 combined
- Couple where one partner gets the Allowance: under $41,184 combined
- Couple where one partner doesn’t receive OAS or the Allowance: under $53,376 combined
Allowance:
- For people aged 60–64 whose spouse or common-law partner qualifies for the GIS.
- You must be a Canadian citizen or legal resident.
- You need at least 10 years of residency in Canada since turning 18.
- Household income must be under $41,184.
Allowance for the Survivor:
- For widowed people aged 60–64.
- You can’t be remarried or in a new common-law relationship.
- Income must be under $29,976.
- Same residency rules as the Allowance.
These programs are meant to top up OAS for seniors who need extra help, and they’re deposited at the same time as your regular OAS benefit.
More about GIS, the Allowance and the Allowance for the Survivor
How to apply for OAS
In many cases, seniors are automatically enrolled in OAS and receive a letter from Service Canada around their 64th birthday. If you don’t get one, you’ll need to apply yourself.
Ways to apply include:
- Online through your My Service Canada Account
- By mailing in a paper application
- By visiting a Service Canada office in person
You can start receiving payments the month after you turn 65, but you can also defer up to age 70. Delaying increases your monthly amount permanently.
For the Allowance or Allowance for the Survivor programs, applications are required — these benefits don’t start automatically.
More about applying for OAS
When is the September OAS payment coming?
According to the federal schedule, the September 2025 OAS payment will be deposited on Thursday, September 25.
Those signed up for direct deposit should see the money hit their account that same day. If you’re still receiving payments by cheque, expect a short delay while it goes through the mail.
Service Canada recommends enrolling in direct deposit to avoid delays and make sure you don’t miss a payment.
Is OAS taxable?
Yes. Old Age Security counts as taxable income, and you’ll need to report it at tax time.
Unless you request deductions, Service Canada doesn’t automatically withhold tax from your monthly OAS payment. To avoid a surprise bill in April, you can set up voluntary tax withholdings either online through your My Service Canada Account or by filling out a federal form.
More about OAS and your taxes
Remaining 2025 OAS payment dates
Here’s when the rest of this year’s OAS payments are scheduled to land:
- September 25
- October 29
- November 26
- December 22
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