Three programs carry most of Canada’s retirement income — CPP, OAS and GIS — and all three pay on the same dates. The CPP OAS GIS payment dates 2026 for the rest of the year are 26 November and 22 December, and the amounts have just been set for the October to December quarter. The maximum CPP payment is $1,507.65 a month at age 65, OAS pays $762.50 a month for ages 65 to 74 and $838.75 for 75 and over, and the GIS tops out at $1,138.90 a month for a single person. Here is who qualifies for each, and what most people actually get.
Canada Pension Plan (CPP)
CPP is the earnings-based pension: what you get depends on how much you paid in and for how long. The maximum at age 65 is $1,507.65 a month, but very few people get the maximum — the average new beneficiary gets about $858 a month. You can start CPP as early as 60, but the payment is reduced, or wait until 70 and get more each month. Most people take it at 65. If you worked in Canada and paid into the plan, you qualify; the amount follows your contribution history, so a steady full career pays far more than a patchy one.
Old Age Security (OAS)
OAS is different: it is not based on your work history, but on how long you have lived in Canada after age 18. For October to December 2026, OAS pays $762.50 a month for people aged 65 to 74, and $838.75 a month for people 75 and over — the higher rate for older seniors has been in place since 2022. You need at least 10 years of residence after 18 to qualify, and 40 years for the full amount. High earners see OAS clawed back through the recovery tax, so the full amount goes to most, but not all, seniors.
Guaranteed Income Supplement (GIS)
GIS is the top-up for low-income seniors who already get OAS. The maximum for a single person is $1,138.90 a month, and the amount depends on your income: the less you have coming in, the more GIS pays. It is not automatic in the same way OAS is — you apply, and it is reviewed every year against your tax return, so filing taxes matters here too. Together, OAS and GIS can add up to a large share of a low-income senior’s budget, and the payments land on the same dates as CPP: 26 November and 22 December 2026. For the monthly benefit that families with children get, see our Canada Child Benefit 2026-27 guide.
Frequently asked questions about CPP, OAS and GIS payment dates 2026
When are CPP, OAS and GIS paid in November and December 2026?
On 26 November and 22 December 2026. All three programs pay on the same dates.
How much is CPP at age 65?
The maximum is $1,507.65 a month, but the average new beneficiary gets about $858 a month. Your amount depends on your contribution history.
How much is OAS in October-December 2026?
$762.50 a month for ages 65 to 74, and $838.75 a month for 75 and over.
How much is GIS for a single person?
The maximum is $1,138.90 a month. The amount depends on your income.
Who qualifies for OAS?
You need at least 10 years of residence in Canada after age 18, and 40 years for the full amount. OAS is not based on work history.