OAS at 65 or 67: For retirees in Canada, deciding when to claim OAS is one of the most important retirement income decisions they will make. Although an individual becomes eligible for the government’s benefit programs upon reaching the age of 65, he/she may apply to delay his/her pension for up to five years. Your choice on when to claim benefits impacts the benefit you will receive each month since there is a difference between claiming the OAS benefit at age 65 and at age 67.
Many retirees decide to claim their benefit immediately upon being eligible for OAS. Some individuals prefer postponing their pension since the Canadian government will add a permanent increase to your monthly OAS benefit per month that you defer your pension after age 65.
What is OAS in Canada?
The Old Age Security (OAS) is a monthly pension paid to eligible Canadians aged 65 years and above. Unlike the Canada Pension Plan (CPP), the OAS not based on employment history or contributions to it but is dependent on age, citizenship, and residency within Canada after turning 18.
👉 Learn how higher income can affect your retirement payments in Canada OAS Clawback.
Quarterly reviews are conducted to adjust the amount of OAS to match the changes in the cost of living. In April-June 2026, the maximum monthly OAS pension payable is $743.05 to eligible seniors between the ages of 65-74 and $817.36 to those aged 75 and above. Canadians should always check the canada.ca for the latest rates and eligibility rules.
Starting OAS at Age 65
The minimum age at which most Canadians can qualify for OAS benefits is 65 years. When you apply for the pension program at 65 years, then you will start receiving your benefit based on your qualifications. These benefits will keep coming into your account as long as your eligibility requirements remain satisfied.
By applying for OAS at the age of 65, many retirees get access to their retirement money from the government at once. By doing this, you do not need to wait for any more benefits in the future because of deferring your application. Canadians who start at age 65 also begin building their retirement income stream immediately, which may be an important consideration depending on their personal circumstances.
Waiting Until Age 67
According to the Government of Canada, qualified Canadians may delay receiving the OAS pension even after turning 65 years old. Every month, the pension rises by 0.6% in relation to the delay period. However, the percentage rise is calculated up until the recipient turns 70 years old where the maximum increase is 36%.
If one decides to defer his or her pension at age 67 years old, then it will mean that 24 months have already elapsed. Therefore, since the monthly pension rises by 0.6%, the pension recipient can be assured of a 14.4% higher monthly pension payment. The increase is permanently added to your pension as long as you receive the OAS pension.
👉 Check the latest Old Age Security payment updates in OAS Payments Increased.
Understand OAS Deferral Increase
| Age OAS Begins | Increase Compared With Age 65 |
|---|---|
| 65 | No increase |
| 66 | 7.2% |
| 67 | 14.4% |
| 68 | 21.6% |
| 69 | 28.8% |
| 70 | 36.0% |
The increase is calculated automatically by the Government based on the number of months benefits are delayed after age 65.
Main Differences Between OAS at 65 and OAS at 67
Before making any decisions about starting your pension, you may find it helpful to look at the differences that exist in reality between claiming immediately and waiting for two years. It is important to realize that although both options of receiving the government benefits are similar, their timing makes a difference.
If you start OAS at age 65:
- You become eligible to receive monthly pension.
- You get the regular OAS amount based on eligibility.
- There is no increase since there will be no deferral of benefits.
- GIS is likely to be available earlier depending on income.
If you wait until age 67:
- OAS is deferred for 24 months.
- Monthly pension amount goes up by 14.4%.
- The increase forms a part of your benefits permanently.
- GIS is unlikely to be available while deferring.
👉 Stay updated on upcoming government benefit deposit dates with the Canada Benefit Payment Calendar 2026.
OAS at 65 V/S OAS at 67 Comparison
| Feature | Start at 65 | Start at 67 |
| Eligible to receive OAS | Yes | Yes |
| Monthly pension increase | No increase | 14.4% increase |
| Receive payments before age 67 | Yes | No |
| Deferral period | None | 24 months |
| Can continue delaying | No | Yes, up to age 70 |
Understand How OAS Deferral Works with Example
Let us consider that an eligible Canadian becomes 65 years old and fulfills all requirements to receive a regular OAS pension. However, he/she delays it for two years until turning 67 years old. According to the formula, such pensioners receive an extra 14.4% since they have waited for two additional years.
It means that once people turn 67 years old, their pensions will become higher because of the government’s automatic increase. In other words, this example shows how the official deferral calculation formula operates. Its main feature is that the increase depends only on the waiting period starting from age 65.
OAS And GIS
The Guaranteed Income Supplement (GIS) pays extra amounts each month to qualifying low-income senior citizens who get OAS payments. Canadians who have the possibility of getting GIS should be aware that putting off receiving OAS may affect whether they qualify for this additional payment.
As per information provided by the Government of Canada, those who delay the start of their OAS pension are unlikely to get GIS for the months where there was deferral. It is necessary to look at both programs when determining when to claim their benefits.
👉 Review the latest contribution limits and payroll deductions in Maximum CPP Contribution Rates 2026.
How to Apply for OAS
Some individuals in Canada are enrolled automatically under the OAS program; in such cases, they receive a notice from Service Canada when they approach age 65. However, others have to file an application before they can start getting benefits.
The application process can be done using the My Service Canada Account service or filling out an application form and filing it with Service Canada. According to the Canadian government, people should file their applications a few months before they would like their pensions to start.
Additionally, those people that are not sure about what their benefit amount can use the OAS Benefits Estimator to compare different starting ages and understand how delaying benefits may affect future payments.
Wrapping Up
In determining whether to receive OAS at the age of 65 or 67, one must understand how the deferral policy set by the Government of Canada would affect his or her monthly pension. If benefits are received at age 65, then that means you will be receiving OAS immediately while waiting for it at age 67 results in a permanent increase of 14.4% of your pension each month.
It is important for Canadians to review their pension plans and consider the effect of their choice on other plans like the Guaranteed Income Supplement before making any decision. This is where the Government of Canada’s OAS Benefit Estimator will come in handy when deciding which is better for them.
👉 Explore eligibility rules, payment details, and program updates in Canada EI Benefits 2026.
FAQ’s on OAS at 65 or 67
Is it possible to receive OAS before reaching age 65?
No. Most Canadians become eligible for Old Age Security (OAS) payments starting at age 65.
How much additional money would I get if I delay OAS until age 67?
For each month beyond 65 that you postpone the receipt of OAS, your OAS pension grows by 0.6%. Thus, postponing to age 67 would result in an extra 14.4% of OAS income.
Can I defer the payment of OAS past 67?
Yes, it is possible to defer OAS receipt until age 70, which may increase your monthly pension by up to 36%.
Would there be an impact on my GIS if OAS was delayed?
Usually, yes. Those who delay OAS usually cannot receive the GIS during the deferral period.
Official Sources
- Government of Canada – Old Age Security (OAS): https://www.canada.ca/en/services/benefits/publicpensions/old-age-security.html
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Government of Canada – OAS Payment Amounts & Benefits Estimator:
https://www.canada.ca/en/services/benefits/publicpensions/old-age-security/payments.html
https://estimateursv-oasestimator.service.canada.ca/en/ - Government of Canada – Guaranteed Income Supplement (GIS): https://www.canada.ca/en/services/benefits/publicpensions/old-age-security/guaranteed-income-supplement.html
- Government of Canada – My Service Canada Account (MSCA): https://www.canada.ca/en/employment-social-development/services/my-account.html
- Government of Canada – Prepare for Retirement: https://www.canada.ca/en/services/life-events/retirement.html
Disclaimer
This article is for informational purposes only and is based on information available from the Government of Canada. OAS eligibility requirements, payment amounts, and program rules may change over time. Always check Service Canada or Canada.ca for the latest information.
Nishant believes that access to clear financial information is a right, not a privilege. His articles consistently prioritize accuracy, transparency, and practical value — helping seniors, families, and working individuals stay on top of payment dates, eligibility changes, and benefit updates.
All content published by Nishant is research-based and sourced from verified government portals including SSA.gov, Canada.ca, CRA.gc.ca, and official provincial government websites.
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