I’m a senior. Can I get Old Age Security?
You may be able to get if all of the following are true:
- you’re 65 years of age or older
- you’re a Canadian citizen or have legal status in Canada, such as status
- you meet the minimum residency requirements
65 or older
Most people who are eligible to get OAS receive a letter from Service Canada in the month after they turn 64. The letter tells them that they’ll automatically get OAS when they turn 65. If you get this letter, you don’t have to do anything more.
But if any of the information in the letter is wrong, or if you don’t want to automatically start getting OAS, you must write to Service Canada and tell them.
If you don’t get a letter, you must fill out an application and mail it to Service Canada.
You can delay getting OAS until you’re past the age of 65. This means you’ll get more each month when you do start. You can delay for up to 5 years after you become eligible or until you turn 70, whichever comes first.
Legal status in Canada
To get OAS, you must be a Canadian citizen or have legal status in Canada. For example, you have legal status if you’re a permanent resident or , or if you have a .
Residency requirements
The rules about how long you have to live in Canada to get OAS are complicated. Read more in the step called Learn about the residency requirements.
Other benefits for seniors
You may be able to get other government benefits for people 65 and older. See What government benefits are there for seniors other than Old Age Security?
