How to Apply for OAS: Step-by-Step Guide

Old Age Security is a monthly taxable pension available to eligible Canadians aged 65 and older. Unlike the Canada Pension Plan, OAS eligibility is based mainly on your age, legal status and how long you have lived in Canada rather than your employment history or contributions.

Many eligible seniors are automatically enrolled by Service Canada. However, you may need to apply if you do not receive an enrolment letter, the information in your letter is incorrect or you want to delay the date your pension begins.

Who Can Receive the OAS Pension?

You must be at least 65 years old to receive the Old Age Security pension. The additional eligibility requirements depend on whether you live in or outside Canada.

You may qualify for OAS even if you have never worked in Canada or are still working. Your employment history does not determine basic eligibility, although your income can affect how much of the pension you ultimately keep.

Do You Need to Apply for OAS?

Most eligible seniors do not need to submit an application because Service Canada can enrol them automatically when it has enough information.

If you are automatically enrolled, Service Canada should send you a letter around your 64th birthday. The letter will explain when your pension is expected to start and what information was used to determine your eligibility.

You may need to take action if:

• You receive a letter asking you to apply.
• The information in your automatic-enrolment letter is incorrect.
• You do not receive an enrolment letter within one month after turning 64.
• You want to delay your OAS pension.
• You want to change the start date shown in your letter.
• You have already turned 65 but your pension has not started.
• Service Canada does not have enough information about your residence history.

If you have not received a letter within one month after your 64th birthday, contact Service Canada before submitting multiple applications.

When Should You Apply for OAS?

You can normally begin the application process when you are at least one month past your 64th birthday.

Applying before your intended start date gives Service Canada time to review your residence history, legal status and other information. Applications involving time lived outside Canada may require additional documents and take longer to assess.

Before applying, decide whether you want your pension to begin at age 65 or whether you want to delay it.

Information You May Need Before Applying

The exact information required depends on your personal circumstances. Before beginning your OAS application, you may need:

• Your Social Insurance Number.
• Your date of birth.
• Your current mailing and residential addresses.
• The date you want your OAS pension to begin.
• Information about every country where you have lived since turning 18.
• Details about your residence history during the previous two years.
• Information about your spouse or common-law partner, including their Social Insurance Number and date of birth.
• Your income information if you have not filed recent Canadian tax returns.
• Details about foreign income received by you or your spouse or common-law partner.
• Information about a recent reduction in employment or pension income.
• Your banking information for direct deposit.

Service Canada may ask for supporting documents confirming your immigration status, residence history or time spent outside Canada.

How to Apply for OAS Online

Eligible applicants can apply through My Service Canada Account.

1. Register for or sign in to My Service Canada Account.
2. Open the Old Age Security section of your dashboard.
3. Select Apply for Old Age Security and manage my benefits.
4. Select the option to apply for benefits.
5. Choose the application for the Old Age Security pension and Guaranteed Income Supplement.
6. Enter your personal, residence and income information.
7. Choose the date you want your OAS pension to begin.
8. Enter or confirm your direct deposit information.
9. Review every answer before submitting the application.
10. Save your confirmation and monitor your account for updates.

You can generally use the online application only if:

• You are at least one month past your 64th birthday.
• You currently live in Canada.
• You are not already receiving the OAS pension.
• You have not previously applied, or Service Canada is still reviewing your application.
• A third party, such as a trustee or power of attorney, is not managing your OAS account.

If you do not meet the online application conditions, you will normally need to use a paper application.

How to Apply for OAS Using a Paper Application

You can apply by mail if you cannot use the online process, live outside Canada or prefer to submit a paper application.

1. Download the current Application for the Old Age Security Pension and the Guaranteed Income Supplement form.
2. Read the accompanying reference guide carefully.
3. Complete every section that applies to you.
4. Choose your preferred pension start date.
5. Include certified copies of any documents requested.
6. Sign every section that requires your signature.
7. Make a copy of the completed application and documents.
8. Mail the application to the Service Canada office indicated in the instructions.

The combined OAS and GIS paper application is officially identified as form ISP-3550. Always download the latest version from the Government of Canada website because forms and submission instructions may change.

If you are applying from outside Canada, send your paper application to the Service Canada office responsible for the province or territory where you last lived.

Can Someone Help With Your OAS Application?

You can authorize another person to communicate with Service Canada on your behalf. This can allow the authorized person to ask questions or receive information about your application.

However, ordinary consent to communicate does not allow that person to:

• Apply for OAS on your behalf.
• Change your payment address.
• Request or change income tax withholding.
• Manage your pension payments.

A person acting for an applicant who cannot manage their own affairs may need to complete additional trustee or administrator forms and provide medical documentation.

How to Choose Your OAS Start Date

The standard age for beginning Old Age Security is 65. However, you can delay your pension for up to five years and begin receiving it as late as age 70.

Delaying OAS may provide a larger monthly pension, but it is not necessarily the best choice for everyone.

Before choosing your start date, consider:

• Whether you need retirement income immediately.
• Your health and expected longevity.
• Your employment and pension income.
• Your personal savings and investments.
• Your expected taxable income.
• Whether you may qualify for the Guaranteed Income Supplement.
• Your spouse or common-law partner’s income and benefits.

How to Delay Your OAS Pension

If you are automatically enrolled but do not want payments to begin at age 65, you must tell Service Canada that you want to delay your pension.

Through My Service Canada Account, open the Old Age Security section and select Apply for Old Age Security and manage my benefits. You can then use the profile option for delaying OAS and GIS payments.

If you delay OAS without selecting a future start date, you must apply when you are ready for your payments to begin.

Can You Change Your OAS Start Date?

If you submitted an application and later want to change the selected start date, contact Service Canada as soon as possible.

You may be able to request a different date before payments begin. Once OAS payments have started, different rules may apply, so you should not assume that the decision can be changed automatically.

Can OAS Be Paid Retroactively?

OAS applications may qualify for a limited period of retroactive payment, depending on the applicant’s age, chosen start date and individual circumstances.

Retroactive payments are not unlimited. Waiting too long to contact Service Canada could result in losing payments that might otherwise have been available.

Delaying OAS voluntarily is different from applying late. If you choose to delay the pension in exchange for a larger monthly amount, retroactive payments may affect or cancel some of the increase earned during the delayed period.

Confirm the consequences with Service Canada before requesting a retroactive start date.

Can You Apply for OAS and GIS Together?

Yes. The online and paper application processes may allow eligible seniors to apply for the Old Age Security pension and the Guaranteed Income Supplement together.

The GIS is a separate, non-taxable benefit for low-income OAS recipients living in Canada. Eligibility depends on income and marital status.

You may need to submit a separate GIS application if:

• You already receive OAS but have never applied for GIS.
• You chose not to apply for GIS when completing your OAS application.
• Service Canada asks you to provide additional income information.

Read our Guaranteed Income Supplement guide for more information about eligibility and payments.

What Happens After You Apply for OAS?

Service Canada will review your application and determine whether you satisfy the age, legal status and residence requirements.

You may be asked to provide additional information if your residence record is incomplete, you lived outside Canada or your application includes special circumstances.

Once a decision is made, Service Canada will send you a notice explaining:

• Whether your application was approved.
• The date your OAS pension will begin.
• The monthly amount you are expected to receive.
• Whether additional information is required.
• How to challenge the decision if you disagree.

How to Check Your OAS Application Status

You can monitor your application through My Service Canada Account.

On your OAS dashboard, review the Follow up item(s) and Notifications sections. These areas show application updates and identify documents Service Canada may require.

My Service Canada Account can also be used to:

• View your OAS payment information.
• Submit supporting documents.
• Update certain personal details.
• Manage your banking information.
• View and print available tax slips.
• Authorize someone to communicate with Service Canada.

When Will Your First OAS Payment Arrive?

Once approved, OAS is paid monthly according to the federal pension payment schedule.

People enrolled in direct deposit generally receive the payment directly in their bank account on the scheduled date. Recipients who are not enrolled in direct deposit normally receive a cheque by mail.

Review our OAS payment dates guide for the complete payment calendar.

Can You Work While Receiving OAS?

Yes. You can receive the Old Age Security pension while continuing to work. You do not need to retire before your OAS pension begins.

However, OAS is taxable and higher income can result in some or all of the pension being repaid through the OAS recovery tax.

Employment income may also affect eligibility for the Guaranteed Income Supplement and other income-tested benefits.

Is OAS Based on Your Employment Contributions?

No. You do not contribute directly to OAS through employment in the same way you contribute to the Canada Pension Plan.

OAS eligibility and the percentage of a full pension you receive are based mainly on how long you lived in Canada after turning 18.

A person can therefore qualify for OAS even if they never worked in Canada. Conversely, working in Canada does not automatically guarantee a full OAS pension if the residence requirements are not met.

OAS and CPP Require Separate Decisions

Old Age Security and the Canada Pension Plan are separate pension programs.

Applying for OAS does not mean you have applied for CPP. You should check each pension separately and confirm whether an application is required.

Read our How to Apply for CPP guide for the complete CPP application process.

Common OAS Application Mistakes

• Assuming OAS will always begin automatically.
• Ignoring an automatic-enrolment letter containing incorrect information.
• Failing to contact Service Canada after receiving no letter.
• Providing an incomplete residence history.
• Leaving out time lived or worked outside Canada.
• Using an outdated paper application.
• Submitting uncertified documents when certified copies are required.
• Choosing a start date without considering the effect on GIS eligibility.
• Confusing OAS with the Canada Pension Plan.
• Entering incorrect direct deposit information.
• Failing to respond to requests for additional documents.

What If Your OAS Application Is Denied?

If you disagree with Service Canada’s decision, you can request a reconsideration.

The request must generally be submitted within 90 days of receiving the decision letter. Explain why you disagree and include any new documents or information that support your position.

A reconsideration can be requested through My Service Canada Account, by using the official reconsideration form or by submitting a signed written request.

How to Contact Service Canada About OAS

Contact Service Canada if you have not received an enrolment letter, need to correct information, want to change your pension start date or have questions about an application.

Have your Social Insurance Number and relevant application information available. Never send sensitive personal or banking information through ordinary email or an unofficial website.

Related Government Payment Guides

Frequently Asked Questions

Northbly is an independent informational website and is not affiliated with the Government of Canada, Service Canada or the Canada Revenue Agency. OAS eligibility, application procedures, payment amounts and tax rules depend on individual circumstances and may change. Always confirm important information through official government sources.