Retirement income from the government in Canada actually comes from two separate programs with different rules: the Canada Pension Plan (CPP), based on your contribution history, and Old Age Security (OAS), based on how long you've lived in Canada. Most retirees receive both, but they qualify for each independently.
CPP eligibility requires at least one valid contribution during your working life, and your monthly amount depends on how much and how long you contributed — the average payment at 65 is around $925.35/month, though the maximum is significantly higher for people who contributed the maximum amount for many years.
Unlike CPP, OAS doesn't depend on ever having worked or contributed — it's funded from general tax revenue and depends only on how long you've lived in Canada after age 18. You need at least 10 years of Canadian residency to qualify for a partial OAS, with 40 years needed for the full amount, capped at $751.97/month for 2026.
Use the CPP and OAS Calculator on this site to check your likely eligibility for both programs and get a combined monthly estimate.
You can take CPP as early as 60, but it's permanently reduced by 0.6% for every month before 65 (up to 36% less at 60); waiting past 65 increases it by 0.7% per month, up to 42% more at 70. OAS has a similar deferral option past 65, though the specific deferral increase differs from CPP's — check your Service Canada My Account for your exact deferral figures.
Informational content, not financial, tax, or legal advice. Verify amounts, limits, and current conditions directly with official sources (CRA, CDIC, OSFI) before making a decision.
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