Old Age Security and the Guaranteed Income Supplement: how to apply

Age and residence rules, automatic enrolment, how to apply if you are not enrolled and the Allowance for ages 60 to 64.

The basics

Old Age Security (OAS) is a monthly payment for people 65 or older who are or were Canadian citizens or legal residents and have lived in Canada for the required number of years: 10 years after age 18 for an OAS pension (a full pension needs 40 years after 18; payment outside Canada needs 20 or more years of residence). The Guaranteed Income Supplement (GIS) is added for lower-income OAS recipients who live in Canada; it is based on your income, or your combined income with a spouse or common-law partner, and is not taxable.

How to apply

Service Canada may enrol you automatically: look for a letter shortly after your 64th birthday. If it cannot, it sends a letter inviting you to apply.
Otherwise apply online through My Service Canada Account (at least one month past your 64th birthday) or with a paper form (ISP-3550 for OAS and GIS, or ISP-3025 for GIS only).
Have your SIN, date of birth and where you have lived since age 18.

Every year

GIS is reviewed each year using information from the CRA: file your tax return by April 30, even with low income, so payments continue.

Ages 60 to 64

If your spouse receives the GIS and the full OAS pension you may qualify for the Allowance (10 years of residence after 18 and an income limit that changes: check the current figure).

Time abroad can count as residence in limited cases, and social security agreements with other countries may help you qualify.

OAS: do you qualify ↗ · GIS: apply ↗ · Allowance: do you qualify ↗

Sources and limits

Read on November 14, 2026 on Canada.ca. Income thresholds and amounts change every quarter or year: they are not listed.

General information based on federal and national rules; provincial rules may differ. Confirm with the official body before acting. Last reviewed : 2026-11-14.