Canadian seniors will receive larger Old Age Security deposits, the OAS payments on Wednesday, October 28, 2026, after the Government of Canada confirmed a 1.4% quarterly increase for the October to December period.
This is the strongest single-quarter OAS adjustment of the entire 2026 calendar year, surpassing the 1.2% increase that took effect in July and the smaller gains applied in January and April.
The cumulative year-over-year gain now stands at 3.0% from October 2025 to October 2026, giving eligible OAS recipients their highest monthly pension rates of the year.
For prospective immigrants planning to make Canada their home and newcomers already settling here, Old Age Security is an important part of the country’s social safety net, providing a glimpse into the retirement income support available to eligible residents as they grow older.
This guide covers the new maximum OAS pension amounts, the CPI calculation behind the adjustment, the complete Q4 payment schedule, recovery tax thresholds, deferral implications, and the eligibility rules that determine who qualifies.
Table of Contents
New Maximum OAS Pension Amounts For October To December 2026
The official rate card confirms the following maximum monthly OAS pension amounts for the October to December 2026 quarter.
| Age Group | Jul-Sep 2026 | Oct-Dec 2026 | Monthly Increase |
| Age 65 to 74 | $751.97 | $762.50 | $10.53 |
| Age 75 and older | $827.17 | $838.75 | $11.58 |
Seniors aged 75 and older receive a higher base rate that reflects the permanent 10% enhancement the Government of Canada applied to all OAS pensions in this age group in July 2022.
Across all three Q4 deposits on October 28, November 26, and December 22, a senior aged 65 to 74 at the maximum collects approximately $31.59 more than they would have at the previous quarterly rate.
For seniors aged 75 and older, the three-payment quarterly gain totals approximately $34.74 compared to the July to September amounts.
Full Pension Versus Partial Pension Under The New Rates
The $762.50 and $838.75 maximums apply only to seniors who have lived in Canada for 40 or more years after turning 18.
Recipients with fewer qualifying years receive a proportional amount calculated by dividing their years of Canadian residence by 40 and multiplying the result by the full maximum.
A senior who lived in Canada for 25 years after age 18, for example, would receive 25/40ths of the maximum, producing a monthly OAS pension of approximately $476.56 under the new October rates.
A senior with 10 qualifying years would receive 10/40ths, producing approximately $190.63 per month.
| Years In Canada After Age 18 | Pension Fraction | Oct-Dec 2026 Amount (Age 65-74) |
| 10 years | 10/40 | $190.63 |
| 20 years | 20/40 | $381.25 |
| 25 years | 25/40 | $476.56 |
| 30 years | 30/40 | $571.88 |
| 40 years (full) | 40/40 | $762.50 |
The 1.4% quarterly increase applies equally to full and partial pensions, so every OAS recipient sees a proportional gain regardless of their years of residence.
Complete Q4 2026 OAS Payment Dates
Three deposits will carry the new October to December 2026 rates, all confirmed on the federal benefits payment calendar.
| Payment Date | Details |
| Wednesday, October 28, 2026 | First payment at the new 1.4% quarterly rate |
| Thursday, November 26, 2026 | Second payment at October to December rates |
| Tuesday, December 22, 2026 | Third payment, issued early for the holiday period |
Service Canada processes CPP and OAS payments on the same date each month, so both benefits arrive in the same deposit cycle.
The December 22 payment date arrives earlier than usual because Service Canada adjusts the schedule to account for the Christmas and Boxing Day closures.
The 2026 CPP payment increase operates on a separate annual indexation cycle, with a single 2.0% adjustment applied in January that holds through all twelve monthly deposits.
The OAS Recovery Tax And The October Increase
Higher-income seniors should be aware of the OAS recovery tax, which reduces monthly pension amounts for those whose net world income exceeds certain thresholds.
For the 2026 income year, the OAS pension repayment range begins at a net world income of $95,323, as confirmed on the official rate card.
The recovery tax is applied at a rate of 15 cents for every dollar of net income above $95,323, and it is spread across 12 monthly OAS payments after the CRA calculates the amount owing.
| Age Group | 2026 Income Threshold (Start) | 2026 Full Recovery Threshold |
| Age 65 to 74 | $95,323 | $155,320 |
| Age 75 and older | $95,323 | $161,320 |
The recovery tax currently applied to October 2026 payments falls within the July 2026 to June 2027 payment cycle. It is based on 2025 income, with a starting threshold of $93,454.
The $95,323 threshold applies to the 2026 income year and determines recovery tax deductions for the July 2027 to June 2028 payment cycle.
Seniors whose 2025 net income did not exceed $93,454 are generally not subject to the OAS recovery tax during the July 2026 to June 2027 payment cycle, allowing them to receive the October increase without a recovery-tax deduction.
The October increase itself slightly raises the net income figure on a recipient’s 2026 tax return, which could affect the recovery tax calculation for payments beginning July 2027.
How OAS Deferral Multiplies The October Increase
Seniors who choose to delay their OAS pension past age 65 receive a permanent 0.6% increase for every month of deferral, accumulating to a maximum 36% bonus at age 70.
A senior who deferred to age 70 and is now receiving OAS with the full 36% enhancement will see the October 1.4% increase applied on top of that higher base amount.
Under the new October rates, a 70-year-old who deferred the full five years and qualifies for the full pension would receive approximately $1,037.00 per month, compared to $762.50 for a senior who started at age 65.
| Start Age | Deferral Bonus | Approximate Oct-Dec 2026 Monthly OAS |
| 65 (no deferral) | 0% | $762.50 |
| 66 | +7.2% | $817.42 |
| 67 | +14.4% | $872.34 |
| 68 | +21.6% | $927.26 |
| 69 | +28.8% | $982.18 |
| 70 (maximum) | +36.0% | $1,037.00 |
The maximum retroactive start date for those who delayed is 11 months, and the deferral period itself does not count toward retroactivity.
Individuals who have not yet started receiving OAS can learn more about the deferral option through Service Canada’s pension page.
The Deflation Safeguard Protecting Your October Rate
Published OAS rates do not decrease solely because the Consumer Price Index falls, a protection built into the Old Age Security Act.
This one-way floor means that once the October to December 2026 rates are set, the maximum OAS entitlement will not drop in January 2027 even if inflation cools through the autumn.
However, an individual’s actual monthly payment can still change between quarters due to updated income or residency information, reaching age 75, or adjustments to the OAS recovery tax.
The deflation safeguard ensures that OAS pension rates do not decrease when inflation falls. Quarterly inflation indexation was introduced in 1973, and seniors can treat each quarterly increase as a permanent floor on the published maximum rate.
Who Qualifies For OAS In 2026
OAS is available to eligible people aged 65 and older, with eligibility based on legal status and years of Canadian residence after age 18.
To qualify while living in Canada, an individual generally needs to be a Canadian citizen or legal resident and to have lived in Canada for at least 10 years after age 18 for a partial pension.
A full OAS pension requires 40 years of Canadian residence after age 18.
Seniors living outside Canada generally need 20 years of Canadian residence after age 18 to continue receiving payments, although international social security agreements can help meet that requirement.
Most people do not need to apply for OAS because Service Canada auto-enrols eligible individuals when it has enough information.
Online applications become available once a person is at least one month past their 64th birthday, and eligible applicants can receive retroactive payments for up to a maximum of 11 months.
For newcomers to Canada, the residency clock begins on the date they establish legal residence, not their date of arrival for visits or temporary stays.
How To Verify Your October OAS Payment
Direct-deposit recipients should receive their payment on Wednesday, October 28, although the exact posting time can vary by financial institution.
The most reliable way to confirm your specific OAS amount is to log into My Service Canada Account and navigate to the OAS dashboard, then select Payments and review All payments.
Setting up direct deposit through My Service Canada Account is the fastest way to receive the October payment without postal delays.
Banking changes can take up to 30 days to process and should be submitted at least 30 days before the next payment date.
Seniors who believe their payment amount is incorrect can request a reconsideration by contacting Service Canada at 1-800-277-9914 or by visiting a Service Canada office in person.
What Comes After The October Increase?
The October to December rates will hold steady through the November 26 and December 22 payments, and the next quarterly review will determine whether rates increase again in January 2027.
Statistics Canada will publish the CPI readings that feed into the January 2027 calculation in late 2026, and Employment and Social Development Canada will confirm the new figures before the January deposit.
The Canada Pension Plan operates on a separate annual indexation cycle, with all CPP benefits in pay receiving a single cost-of-living adjustment each January rather than quarterly.
CPP payments already in pay received a 2.0% increase effective January 2026, and the average monthly amount for a new CPP retirement beneficiary starting at age 65 is $858.34 based on July 2026 data.
The next CPP deposit also arrives on October 28, on the same schedule as OAS, carrying the same January 2026 indexed amounts that have applied all year.
Seniors who also receive the Guaranteed Income Supplement should review our separate October GIS increase guide for updated maximum amounts and income thresholds under the new quarterly rates.
The October 28 deposit represents the culmination of four consecutive quarterly reviews that have lifted the OAS pension to its highest level of the 2026 calendar year.
Seniors aged 65 to 74 will receive up to $762.50 per month, and those aged 75 and older will receive up to $838.75, with both amounts reflecting a 3.0% increase over October 2025 rates.
The increase is applied automatically by Service Canada, requires no action from recipients, and is protected from reversal by the deflation safeguard in the Old Age Security Act.
With three payments remaining in 2026, the October to December quarter delivers the most meaningful boost to monthly pension income that Canadian seniors have seen this year.
Recipients can verify their exact payment through My Service Canada Account and can reach Service Canada by phone at 1-800-277-9914 or TTY at 1-800-255-4786 with any questions about their October deposit.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
How much more will I receive in OAS starting October 28, 2026?
Seniors aged 65 to 74 receiving the full OAS pension will get $10.53 more per month, bringing their maximum to $762.50. Seniors aged 75 and older will see an extra $11.58 per month, raising their maximum to $838.75. These figures are based on the confirmed 1.4% quarterly increase applied to the July to September 2026 rates. Across all three Q4 payments on October 28, November 26, and December 22, a senior aged 65 to 74 at the maximum collects approximately $31.59 more than they would have at the previous quarterly rate.
Do I need to do anything to receive the October OAS increase?
No action is required. Service Canada applies the 1.4% quarterly increase automatically to every OAS pension payment starting with the October 28 deposit. Recipients do not need to submit a new application, contact Service Canada, or update their My Service Canada Account. The only situation where a payment might not reflect the full increase is if personal circumstances changed, such as updated income information, a shift in residency status, or reaching age 75 and moving to the higher rate tier.
Can my OAS payment decrease in January 2027 if inflation slows?
The maximum OAS rate will not decrease solely because the Consumer Price Index falls, thanks to a deflation safeguard built into the Old Age Security Act. Once the October to December 2026 rates are set, the published maximum cannot be reduced in the next quarter on the basis of lower CPI readings alone. However, an individual’s actual payment can still change if their income rises above the recovery tax threshold, their residency status changes, or they receive updated assessment information from the CRA.
How much OAS would I receive if I deferred my pension to age 70?
A senior who deferred OAS to age 70 receives a permanent 36% increase over the base rate. Under the October to December 2026 rates, that produces approximately $1,037.00 per month for someone who qualifies for the full pension, compared to $762.50 at age 65 with no deferral. Each month of delay past 65 adds 0.6% permanently, and the 1.4% quarterly increase is applied on top of whatever deferral bonus the recipient has already locked in, meaning deferred recipients see a larger dollar increase than those who started at 65.
At what income level does the OAS recovery tax start reducing my October payment?
For the 2026 income year, the OAS recovery tax begins when net world income exceeds $95,323. The tax is applied at 15 cents per dollar above that threshold. OAS is fully recovered at $155,320 for seniors aged 65 to 74 and at $161,320 for those aged 75 and older. The recovery tax applied to October 2026 payments falls within the July 2026 to June 2027 cycle, which uses a $93,454 threshold based on 2025 income. The $95,323 threshold applies to the subsequent July 2027 to June 2028 payment cycle.
Fact-Checked: All OAS pension amounts, income thresholds, and recovery tax ranges cited in this article were verified against the official quarterly rate card for October to December 2026 published by Employment and Social Development Canada with a page date of September 29, 2026, and the Government of Canada benefits payment calendar.
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial or legal advice. Readers should consult a qualified financial advisor or review the official Old Age Security payment amounts page for details specific to their individual situation.
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