How to Apply for CPP and OAS (Canada Pension Plan & Old Age Security)
CPP is the pension based on earnings. You paid into it through work. OAS is the pension based on residency, for seniors 65+. CPP can start at 60, with a reduced amount. Or you can wait until 70, for an increased amount. OAS is often automatic, but not always. Apply through My Service CanadaService Canada — The government service counter network for SIN applications, passports, EI, and other federal programs.Click for official info ↗ Account, up to a year before you want payments to begin.
At a glance
- Cost:
- Free
- Total time:
- Apply up to 12 months ahead
- Steps:
- 6 steps
- Where to apply:
- canada.ca
Last reviewed October 2026 against official sources. Re-checked every 6 months · next review due April 2027.
The Steps
Follow these in order
Each card shows the phase, expected time, and any cost. Data checked against official CAN sources(October 2026).
0 of 6 steps
- Before You Go 20 min
Understand the two pensions
CPP is based on your contributions. The more you contributed, and the longer you contributed, the higher the pension. The maximum is at the yearly maximum pensionable earnings. OAS is based on residency. 40 years in Canada after age 18 earns the full pension. 10+ years earns a partial one. The two pensions are independent. Most retirees get both.
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- Before You Go 30 min
Choose your CPP start age deliberately
If you take CPP at 60, it is cut by 36%, compared with 65. If you wait until 70, it goes up by 42%. There is no single right answer. It depends on your health, your other income, and whether you keep working. Post-retirement benefits can still grow it. Get a Service Canada estimate before you decide.
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- Before You Go 10 min
Check whether OAS is automatic for you
Service Canada enrols many people automatically. It tells them by letter. If you get no letter, you must apply. This matters most if you lived abroad. It also matters if you have a limited work history, or if you are a newcomer senior. Do not assume it started.
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- Submit & Pay 30 min
Apply through My Service Canada Account
Apply online, up to 12 months before your chosen start date. CPP and OAS are separate applications. Do both. Paper applications exist, but they add weeks.
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- Wait 1–3 months
Wait for the decision letters
Service Canada mails your approved monthly amounts and your start dates. A CPP decision typically takes 1–3 months. Apply early, so your payments begin when you planned.
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- Receive —
Get paid monthly and mind the tax
Both pensions pay monthly, by direct deposit. They are taxable income. Ask for voluntary tax deductions on your application. This avoids a surprise bill in April. High earners face an OAS clawback (a recovery tax) above the yearly threshold.
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FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I get CPP if I barely worked in Canada?
CPP needs contributions. Little work means a small CPP. But OAS needs only 10 years of Canadian residence after age 18, for a partial pension. Low-income seniors may also qualify for the Guaranteed Income Supplement (GIS) on top.
I live abroad now. Do I still get them?
CPP pays anywhere in the world. OAS pays abroad only if you have 20+ years of Canadian residence after age 18. If not, it stops after 6 months outside Canada. Payments can go by direct deposit to many foreign banks.
What is the GIS?
The Guaranteed Income Supplement tops up low-income OAS recipients. It is tax-free. For the poorest seniors, it can be larger than the OAS itself. It renews on its own when you file your taxes each year. This is one more reason to file, even with no income.
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