When Should I Take OAS?

Eligibility and start-age basics

Old Age Security is generally available from age 65. Unlike CPP, OAS does not start before 65. You can ask Service Canada to start then, or delay up to age 70. Each month of delay raises the monthly pension by 0.6%, up to 36% at 70. Waiting past 70 does not increase OAS further under the published deferral rules.

Your amount depends on residency history and Service Canada rules, not only published maximums. For the oas amount for july–september 2026, RetireIQ tracks the ages 65-74 maximum reference of $751.97/month. Use My Service Canada Account for a personal estimate.

For month-by-month amounts, cumulative trade-offs, and worked 65 vs 70 tables, open the detailed OAS at 65 vs 70 comparison. This hub stays on the decision factors.

Decision framework: when to take OAS

1. Income need at 65: If spending is not covered without OAS, starting at 65 (or a short delay) is often the practical path.
2. Employment and other income: Work, CPP, and pensions can make delay easier if they already fund spending.
3. Registered drawdown: Bridging with RRSP/RRIF raises taxable income; TFSA bridges generally do not. See RRSP withdrawal strategy.
4. Recovery tax / clawback: Higher-income retirees may keep less OAS. Delaying does not automatically reduce clawback; it changes which years OAS appears.
5. GIS: Lower-income retirees should understand Guaranteed Income Supplement interactions under Service Canada rules before assuming delay helps.
6. Health and longevity: Longer expected retirement raises the value of a larger lifelong cheque; shorter outlook or need for cash now lean earlier.
7. Household timing: Couples can stagger OAS and CPP start ages; model the combined tax and cash-flow result.

Income need versus delayed lifetime amount

Starting at 65 prioritizes cash flow and can reduce mid-60s portfolio withdrawals. Delaying prioritizes a larger indexed cheque later. The “right” side depends on whether the household can carry the gap without stressing investments or tax brackets. Preferring simpler cash flow is a valid preference even when a delay could raise the later amount.

Taxes, recovery tax, and GIS

OAS is taxable whether you start at 65 or later. Delaying shifts when that taxable income appears; RRSP/RRIF used to bridge are also taxable. Compare year-by-year taxable income, not OAS alone.

For the 2026 OAS recovery-tax threshold, RetireIQ's active tax-year configuration uses a planning recovery-tax threshold of $90,997 and a recovery rate of 15%. RetireIQ's active tax-year configuration uses this recovery-tax threshold for planning. Canada.ca publishes recovery thresholds by income year and payment period, which can differ.

GIS and related income-tested benefits can make “always delay” poor advice for lower-income households. Confirm eligibility and interactions with Service Canada rather than applying a high-income delay heuristic.

Age-75 OAS increase (separate from deferral)

Service Canada pays a higher OAS maximum from age 75 (10% uplift on the applicable maximum). That uplift is separate from deferring between 65 and 70. If you delay to 70, you can still receive the age-75 increase once you qualify. In the same reference period, Canada.ca lists about $827.17/month for ages 75+ (maximum reference).

CPP and OAS are separate switches

You can take CPP earlier or later than OAS. CPP can start as early as 60; OAS cannot. Test start ages independently, then review the combined plan. Related: when to take CPP.

How to use this hub

1. Confirm eligibility and pull an OAS estimate from My Service Canada Account.
2. Walk the decision factors above for your income, tax, and longevity picture.
3. When you need the numerical 65 vs 70 deferral tables, open OAS at 65 vs 70.
4. Then model OAS timing in your full retirement plan beside CPP, pensions, and withdrawals.