The Canadian government has officially confirmed a 1.4% increase to Old Age Security (OAS) benefits for the October to December quarter. This adjustment, applied to the current maximum monthly amounts, translates to an estimated C$762.50 for recipients aged 65 to 74 and C$838.75 for those aged 75 and older. It is crucial to note that these figures represent monthly ceilings, not one-time bonuses, and they are preliminary estimates rather than the final official dollar amounts.
As of September 28, the government's OAS payment page still displays the July-to-September maximums, which are C$751.97 for ages 65-74 and C$827.17 for ages 75+. While the 1.4% quarterly adjustment has been confirmed, the official rate table for October has not yet been published. This distinction is vital for retirees planning their budgets, as the actual payments may differ slightly from these estimates due to rounding or administrative updates.
When and How Payments Change
The increased benefit will first appear in the October payment, scheduled for October 28, 2026, not this Friday. September's OAS deposit was issued on September 25. Recipients should be aware that while payments are issued on the listed date, delivery can take several business days, especially for mailed cheques. The government advises waiting 5-10 business days before contacting them about a missing payment.
The 1.4% increase applies not only to OAS but also to the Guaranteed Income Supplement (GIS), the Allowance, and the Allowance for the Survivor. However, dollar amounts for these income-tested benefits vary based on individual income and family status, making a single headline number misleading. Each program maintains its own eligibility and calculation rules.
Estimated Maximums at a Glance
- Ages 65-74: Current maximum C$751.97/month; October estimate C$762.50/month (gain of C$10.53).
- Ages 75+: Current maximum C$827.17/month; October estimate C$838.75/month (gain of C$11.58).
- Quarterly increase: 1.4% confirmed.
- Payment date: October 28, 2026.
For three payments in the October quarter, the estimated total for ages 65-74 would be about C$2,287.50, roughly C$31.59 more than at the current rate. For ages 75+, the comparable quarterly gain is about C$34.74 before taxes or recovery deductions.
Who Receives the Maximum?
These figures represent maximums, not universal payments. Actual OAS amounts depend on age, income, and years lived in Canada after age 18. A partial pension applies to those with fewer than 40 qualifying years. Recipients living abroad generally need at least 20 years of residency to continue receiving payments, unless a social-security agreement exists. Service Canada determines the qualifying record.
Recipients aged 75 and older have received a permanent 10% age-based increase since July 2022, which explains their higher ceiling. This increase begins automatically the month after turning 75 and is not new for October. OAS is taxable income, while GIS, the Allowance, and the Allowance for the Survivor are not taxable but are income-tested and can be recalculated each July.
Clawback and Inflation Context
The OAS recovery tax (clawback) can reduce the gain. For the July 2026-to-June 2027 period, the net-world-income threshold is C$93,454. Income above that triggers a 15% recovery tax, deducted from monthly payments. For example, with C$100,000 of 2025 income, the excess is C$6,546, resulting in a C$981.90 recovery amount for the year, or about C$81.83 monthly. Thus, a higher maximum does not always translate into a larger spendable increase.
OAS is indexed using a three-month CPI comparison. The new quarter follows a 1.2% increase for July-September, and the government notes the October level will be 3.0% above October 2025, a year-over-year comparison, not an extra 3% payment. Households may experience different inflation rates; for instance, Statistics Canada reported July CPI up 3.0% year-over-year, with groceries up 3.1% and gasoline surging 25.7%.
The next key milestone is the release of the government's final October rate table. Until then, C$762.50 and C$838.75 remain estimates. Recipients should monitor official channels for the definitive figures.
