New OAS Payments Coming On February 25, 2026

Last Updated On 22 February 2026, 8:40 AM EST (Toronto Time)

The second Old Age Security – OAS payments of 2026 arrives on February 25, continuing the January-March quarterly increase that took effect last month.

For seniors aged 65 and older receiving OAS, this deposit maintains the 0.3% quarterly increase that began with the January 28 payment.

Unlike CPP which adjusts once per year, OAS is reviewed quarterly.

The current Q1 2026 increase will remain in effect through March, with the next potential adjustment coming in April.

This means your February and March OAS payments should match your January amount, assuming no changes to your file.

February 2026 OAS Payment Summary

Payment Date	February 25, 2026
Rate Period	Q1 2026 (January – March)
Q1 Increase	0.3% (2.0% year-over-year)
Next Rate Review	April 2026 (Q2 rates)
Max OAS (Age 65-74)	$742.31 per month
Max OAS (Age 75+)	$816.54 per month

Why Your OAS Payment Matches January

If you received OAS in January, your February payment should be identical. This is because OAS operates on a quarterly adjustment cycle, not an annual one like CPP.

The Q1 2026 rates, which include the 0.3% increase, apply to all three months: January, February, and March.

Service Canada does not recalculate OAS amounts monthly. Instead, the rate set at the beginning of each quarter holds steady until the next quarterly review.

This predictability is useful for budgeting. Once you see your January payment, you know what to expect in February and March.

The next potential change comes with the April payment when Q2 2026 rates take effect.

OAS Quarterly Indexing vs CPP Annual Indexing

Many seniors receive both OAS and CPP, but the two programs adjust differently.

Understanding this helps explain why your combined deposits may change at different times throughout the year.

Feature	OAS	CPP
Adjustment Frequency	Quarterly	Annually
Review Months	Jan, Apr, Jul, Oct	January only
2026 Increase	0.3% (Q1)	2.0% (full year)
Based On	Residence in Canada	Work contributions
Can Decrease?	No (holds steady)	No (holds steady)

Both programs are protected from decreases. If inflation drops or CPI falls, neither OAS nor CPP will be reduced.

They simply hold at the current level until the next increase is triggered.

Maximum OAS and GIS Amounts for Q1 2026

The following maximum amounts apply for January through March 2026. These are the highest possible payments for each category.

Your actual payment depends on your residence history, age, and income.

Benefit Type	Maximum Monthly (Q1 2026)
OAS Pension (Age 65-74)	$742.31
OAS Pension (Age 75+)	$816.54
GIS (Single, receiving full OAS)	$1,108.74
Allowance	$1,409.72
Allowance for the Survivor	$1,680.47

Seniors aged 75 and older receive 10% more in OAS pension than those aged 65-74.

This permanent enhancement was introduced in July 2022 and continues to apply.

Why Some OAS Deposits Are Much Larger Than Others

When people say they receive OAS, their actual deposit can include multiple benefits paid together.

This explains why some seniors see monthly deposits well over $1,500 while others receive under $750.

OAS pension only: A senior aged 65-74 with full OAS and no GIS receives up to $742.31 monthly.

OAS + GIS combined: A single senior with full OAS and maximum GIS could receive up to $1,851.05 monthly ($742.31 + $1,108.74).

Age 75+ with GIS: A single senior aged 75+ with maximum OAS and GIS could receive up to $1,925.28 monthly ($816.54 + $1,108.74).

GIS eligibility is based on income. Lower-income seniors qualify for higher GIS amounts, which is why some recipients see deposits that are more than double the OAS pension maximum.

What to Do If Your February OAS Payment Is Missing

If February 25 passes without your OAS deposit appearing, follow these steps before contacting Service Canada.

Check timing: Direct deposits can post at different times depending on your bank. Some recipients see funds in the morning while others may not see the deposit until afternoon or evening.

Verify direct deposit details: Log into your My Service Canada Account to confirm your banking information is correct. A single digit error in your account or transit number can redirect payments.

Allow time for cheques: If you receive OAS by cheque, mail delivery times vary across Canada. Remote areas may experience longer delays, especially during winter months.

Check for account flags: Your My Service Canada Account may show messages or alerts that explain a delayed or stopped payment. Review any notifications carefully.

Contact Service Canada: If payment has not arrived within three business days and you cannot identify a reason, call Service Canada at 1-800-277-9914 (English) or 1-800-277-9915 (French). Have your SIN ready.

OAS Payment Dates for the Rest of 2026

After February, ten more OAS payments will be issued throughout 2026.

Note that payments in April, July, and October may reflect new quarterly rates based on CPI changes.

Month	Payment Date	Rate Period
February	Feb 25 ← Upcoming	Q1
March	March 27	Q1
April	April 28	Q2 (new rates)
May	May 27	Q2
June	June 26	Q2
July	July 29	Q3 (new rates + GIS review)
August	August 27	Q3
September	September 25	Q3
October	October 28	Q4 (new rates)
November	November 26	Q4
December	December 22	Q4

The July payment is particularly important because GIS amounts are recalculated annually based on the previous year’s income.

Some recipients may see their GIS increase or decrease in July independent of OAS indexing.

OAS Eligibility for Newcomers to Canada

Unlike CPP, which is based on work contributions, OAS eligibility depends primarily on how long you have lived in Canada after age 18.

This creates different planning considerations for newcomers.

Full OAS: Requires 40 years of residence in Canada after age 18. Recipients receive the maximum OAS amount for their age group.

Partial OAS: Available with 10-39 years of residence after age 18. Payment is calculated as 1/40th of the full amount for each year of residence.

Social security agreements: Canada has agreements with many countries that allow combining residence or contribution periods.

If you lived or worked in a country with such an agreement, those years may count toward OAS eligibility.

For a newcomer who arrives at age 45 and remains in Canada, they would have 20 years of residence by age 65.

This would qualify them for partial OAS at 20/40ths (50%) of the maximum amount.

Combined with CPP earned through working in Canada, this can still provide meaningful retirement income.

OAS Recovery Tax: When Higher Income Reduces Your Payment

OAS is subject to a recovery tax, commonly called the clawback, when your net income exceeds certain thresholds.

This affects higher-income seniors and is worth understanding for tax planning purposes.

For 2026, the repayment thresholds are: seniors aged 65-74 begin repayment when net world income exceeds $95,323, with OAS fully clawed back at $154,708; seniors aged 75+ have a higher upper threshold of $160,647 due to their larger OAS amount.

If your income falls within the repayment range, 15% of the amount over the threshold is recovered.

This recovery happens either through reduced monthly payments or as a repayment calculated when you file your tax return.

How to Verify Your OAS Payment Amount

The most accurate way to confirm your OAS payment details is through your My Service Canada Account.

This shows your exact entitlement, payment history, and any adjustments to your file.

You can also use the official OAS Benefits Estimator on the Service Canada website for projections if you have not yet started receiving OAS.

The estimator has replaced the old public rate tables and provides personalized calculations based on your residence history and expected start date.

When comparing your January and February payments, they should match exactly.

Any difference suggests a change to your file that is worth investigating through your My Service Canada Account or by contacting Service Canada directly.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

When is the February 2026 OAS payment date?

OAS payments for February 2026 will be deposited on February 25, 2026. This is the same date as the February CPP payment.

Will my OAS increase in February?

No, OAS adjusts quarterly, and the Q1 2026 rates that took effect in January apply through March. Your February payment should match your January amount. The next potential increase is in April with Q2 rates.

What is the maximum OAS payment for 2026?

For Q1 2026, the maximum monthly OAS pension is $742.31 for seniors aged 65-74 and $816.54 for seniors aged 75 and older. These amounts may change in subsequent quarters based on CPI.

Why is my OAS payment different from the maximum?

If you lived in Canada for less than 40 years after age 18, you receive partial OAS calculated as a proportion of the maximum. Additionally, if your income exceeds the recovery tax threshold, a portion of your OAS may be clawed back.

Gagandeep Kaur Sekhon

Gagandeep Kaur Sekhon moved to Canada in 2010 on a study visa. She navigated through the ups and downs of her student life and gained her permanent residency in 2015. Today, she is a proud Canadian citizen residing in Calgary, Alberta. She is mother of 2 beautiful daughters and making her difference through writing and guidance at INC – Immigration News Canada.