OAS at 65 or 70 is one of those retirement questions that sounds simple at first, but turns out to be much more personal once you really look into it.
Many people start wondering about the right age to begin their pension as retirement gets closer. Should you take Old Age Security as soon as you are eligible? Or is it smarter to wait until 70 and receive a higher monthly amount? I found myself asking the same thing, because the answer is not as obvious as it first seems. Health, income needs, other pensions, and even GIS eligibility can all change what the “best” answer looks like. That is why this post looks closely at Old Age Security, when you can start it, and how much it can pay.
🍁 Does OAS start at 65 or 67?
OAS starts at 65, not 67. The Government of Canada says the earliest you can start receiving your OAS pension is age 65, and you can choose to delay it as late as age 70. That means 65 is the standard starting point, but not a mandatory one.
This is an important difference because many people assume turning 65 means OAS simply begins on its own and must begin then. In reality, 65 is the first point of eligibility, but you may delay your start date if that fits your retirement plan better. The federal application guidance also says you need to take action if you want to delay or change your start date.
💰 What it means to start OAS at 65
Starting OAS at 65 means you begin receiving payments at the earliest eligible age. The government says your first OAS payment is made the month after you turn 65 or on the specific date you chose. That early start can matter a lot if you want income sooner or need cash flow right away.
OAS is also different from CPP because it is mainly tied to residence history, not work contributions. The federal government describes OAS as monthly payments for seniors 65 or older who are or were Canadian citizens or legal residents and who have lived in Canada for the required number of years. That makes OAS an important base benefit even for people whose work history looks very different from one another.
📈 How much more do you get if you wait until 70?
This is the biggest reason people even consider delaying OAS.
The Government of Canada says that if you delay your OAS after age 65, your payments increase by 0.6% for each month you wait, which works out to 7.2% per year and up to 36% more at age 70. There is no further increase after 70.
For the January to March 2026 quarter, the maximum monthly OAS amount is $742.31 for people aged 65 to 74 and $816.54 for people aged 75 and over. So delaying can make a noticeable difference to the monthly amount you eventually receive, even though the exact result still depends on your own situation.
That is also why “Max OAS at 70” is such a common search. People are really asking whether the higher monthly income later is worth giving up five years of payments earlier. And that is where the decision becomes personal, not just mathematical.
📊 A simple comparison: OAS at 65 vs 70
| Start age | Monthly amount | What you gain | What you give up |
|---|---|---|---|
| 65 | Lower monthly amount | You start receiving money right away | No deferral increase |
| 70 | Up to 36% higher | Larger monthly payment for life | Five years of missed payments |
This table is the cleanest way to frame the decision. The later start gives you a bigger monthly amount, but the earlier start gives you more years of receiving payments. The better choice depends on your health, income needs, and whether you value earlier cash flow or larger long-term monthly income. The federal government explicitly says your personal circumstances matter when deciding when to start.
🤔 Is delaying always the better choice?
No. Delaying OAS is not automatically the best move for everyone.
The federal guidance says there is no benefit to waiting if you are eligible for the Guaranteed Income Supplement (GIS) or if you are already over 70. It also says people should consider their health, financial situation, and retirement plans when choosing a start date.
That is why this decision is more nuanced than it first appears. For some people, getting money earlier matters more than getting more money later. For others, a larger payment in their later retirement years may feel more valuable than starting at 65.
✅ Who may be better off starting OAS at 65?
People who need income sooner may be better off starting at 65. The government specifically notes that starting OAS at 65 can help meet immediate needs, especially if you have little or no other income. It also points out that there is no benefit to delaying if you are eligible for GIS.
This means starting at 65 may make more sense if you want income right away, if you do not want to wait five years for higher payments, or if delaying would block access to GIS and possibly your spouse’s or common-law partner’s Allowance. Those trade-offs are very real for lower-income retirees.
🌟 Who may prefer delaying OAS until 70?
Delaying may make more sense for people who can comfortably cover their expenses from age 65 to 70 with other income sources. In that case, the reward is a permanently higher OAS payment later. The government says payments rise by 0.6% for each month of delay up to age 70.
People who expect a longer retirement may also like the idea of a larger lifelong monthly payment. This is especially relevant for those who want stronger guaranteed income later in retirement, rather than a smaller amount starting earlier. The official retirement income calculator is helpful for comparing these scenarios with other income sources in the picture.
🔄 Can you defer OAS after receiving it?
Yes, but only under specific conditions.
The federal “While receiving OAS” page says that if you want to cancel or delay your OAS pension after starting it, you must submit your request in writing within 6 months of receiving your first payment, repay any benefits within the next 6 months if your request is approved, and then reapply later if you want to start again at a higher amount.
So the answer to “Can you defer OAS after receiving it?” is not a simple yes or no. It is possible, but it is more like a short correction window than a flexible long-term strategy. Once that window passes, you should not assume you can simply change your mind later without consequences.
💡 What happens to GIS if you delay OAS?
This is one of the most important parts of the decision.
The Government of Canada says that if you delay your OAS pension, you will not be eligible for GIS during that time, and if applicable, your spouse or common-law partner will not be eligible for the Allowance during that time either. It also says that GIS and the Allowance do not increase because you delayed OAS.
This means delaying OAS can be a poor choice for some lower-income seniors. OAS may look better on paper when delayed, but that does not mean the overall retirement income picture becomes better once GIS is taken into account.
🔍 How is this different from CPP?
People often compare OAS deferral with CPP deferral, and it is smart to do so because the rules are not identical.
The Government of Canada says CPP can start as early as 60 or as late as 70. If you start CPP after 65, your payment rises by 0.7% per month, up to 42% more at age 70. OAS, by contrast, starts no earlier than 65 and rises by 0.6% per month, up to 36% at age 70.
So while both programs can be delayed, they are not built the same way. CPP is contribution-based and has a stronger increase rate after 65, while OAS is residence-based and has its own separate rules around GIS and eligibility.
🧮 A practical way to decide
There is no single “best” age that fits everyone. But there is a practical way to think about it.
Start by asking yourself a few questions. Do you need the money now? Do you expect to qualify for GIS? Are you healthy enough that a larger payment later feels worth the wait? Do you already have enough income between 65 and 70? The official Old Age Security Benefits Estimator and the Canadian Retirement Income Calculator can help you compare different start ages more clearly.
In other words, the real question is not simply “Should everyone delay?” It is whether OAS at 65 or 70 fits your own income needs, your health outlook, and the rest of your retirement plan.
FAQ
Does OAS start at 65 or 67?
OAS starts at 65, and you can choose to delay it until 70.
Is max OAS at 70?
Yes. The federal government says there is no benefit to waiting after 70, because the maximum delayed amount is reached at that age.
Should you take OAS at 65?
It depends. Starting at 65 may make sense if you need income now or if you may qualify for GIS.
Can you defer OAS after receiving it?
Possibly, but only if you act quickly. You must request cancellation in writing within 6 months of your first payment, repay benefits if approved, and reapply later.
Can you delay CPP until 70?
Yes. CPP can be delayed until 70, and payments increase by 0.7% per month after age 65, up to 42% at age 70.
🌿 Final thoughts
Many people wonder what the “right” age is to start their pension once they reach retirement age. And honestly, that is such a natural question.
But after looking closely at the rules, the better answer is this: the best age is not always the same for everyone. Starting at 65 may feel better if you need the money now or if delaying would mean giving up GIS. Waiting until 70 may feel better if you have enough other income and want a larger monthly payment later. The government’s own guidance reflects exactly that kind of trade-off.
So rather than asking only how much bigger the payment gets, it is better to ask what start age actually fits your life. That is what makes this decision more than just a pension rule. It is really part of retirement design.
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