OAS October increase: payments to rise by 1.4% for Canadian seniors
Canada’s Old Age Security (OAS) benefits will increase by 1.4% for the October-to-December quarter, giving eligible seniors a higher monthly payment beginning with the October payment. The federal government says the adjustment is based on changes in the Consumer Price Index (CPI) and brings the year-over-year OAS increase to 3.0% from October 2025 to October 2026.
The first OAS payment scheduled under the new quarterly adjustment is October 28, 2026. However, the exact amount each person receives depends on their circumstances, so the maximum published rates should not be confused with a guaranteed payment for every senior.
How much will OAS increase in October?
The current maximum monthly OAS pension for July to September is $751.97 for people aged 65 to 74 and $827.17 for those aged 75 and over. The government has confirmed the 1.4% October adjustment, but its current payment page has not yet replaced those figures with the final rounded October-to-December rate table.
Applying the confirmed 1.4% adjustment to the current maximums gives the following approximate amounts:
| OAS pension | July–September maximum | October–December approximate amount | Approx. monthly increase |
|---|---|---|---|
| Age 65–74 | $751.97 | $762.50 | $10.53 |
| Age 75+ | $827.17 | $838.75 | $11.58 |
These October figures are calculations based on the officially confirmed 1.4% increase, rather than final rounded figures published in an October rate table. Seniors should therefore use their individual Service Canada information for their actual payment amount.
The difference between the two age groups remains because the OAS pension for people aged 75 and older includes the permanent 10% increase introduced in July 2022.
Why is OAS increasing in October?
OAS is indexed to the cost of living. The federal government reviews OAS payment amounts in January, April, July and October, using changes in the Consumer Price Index.
When the relevant CPI calculation shows an increase in the cost of living, OAS rates rise. If the CPI falls, OAS payment rates do not decrease.
The October adjustment is therefore not a new one-time bonus or a discretionary payment. It is the regular quarterly indexation built into the OAS system.
The latest quarterly increase is also larger than the previous adjustment. OAS benefits rose by 1.2% for July to September, while the October adjustment is 1.4%. Taken together with previous adjustments, the federal government says OAS benefits will be 3.0% higher than they were a year earlier, comparing October 2026 with October 2025.
Who will benefit from the October OAS increase?
The adjustment applies to OAS benefits, including the OAS pension and Guaranteed Income Supplement (GIS).
However, not every recipient will see the same dollar increase.
The maximum OAS pension assumes that a person qualifies for the full amount. Someone receiving a partial pension may receive less. The Government of Canada explains that OAS amounts can depend on factors including age, income and the number of years a person has lived in Canada after turning 18.
This means the headline figures of approximately $762.50 and $838.75 should be treated as maximum-rate estimates, not as amounts every senior will receive.
Seniors with a partial OAS pension
A person who has lived in Canada for at least 10 years but fewer than 40 years after age 18 may qualify for a partial OAS pension. The amount is based on their residence history rather than automatically receiving the full pension.
A 1.4% increase can therefore raise a partial pension as well, but the actual dollar increase will depend on the recipient’s existing entitlement.
What about the Guaranteed Income Supplement?
The October adjustment also applies to the Guaranteed Income Supplement, which provides additional income support to eligible low-income OAS recipients.
For July to September, the maximum GIS for a single, widowed or divorced senior was $1,123.17 per month. Applying the confirmed 1.4% adjustment produces an approximate October figure of $1,138.89.
Again, this is a calculated figure rather than a substitute for the final official rate table. GIS is income-tested, so many recipients will receive less than the maximum.
For that reason, a senior receiving OAS and GIS should not simply add the maximum amounts together to estimate their own payment.
When is the October OAS payment?
The Government of Canada’s payment calendar lists the following OAS payment dates for the final three months of the year:
| Month | OAS payment date |
|---|---|
| October | October 28, 2026 |
| November | November 26, 2026 |
| December | December 22, 2026 |
The October 28 payment is the first scheduled OAS payment under the new quarterly rate.
CPP has its own payment rules and should not be confused with the quarterly OAS adjustment. Although CPP and OAS are commonly received on the same payment date, CPP is not being increased by this particular October OAS adjustment.
Does the October increase mean every senior gets $10 or $12 more?
No.
The approximate $10.53 increase for ages 65 to 74 and $11.58 increase for ages 75 and over applies only when comparing the respective maximum July-to-September OAS amounts with the calculated October rate.
A recipient’s actual increase can be different because OAS may be:
- a partial pension;
- reduced by the OAS recovery tax for higher-income recipients;
- affected by the person’s age and residence history; or
- increased because the recipient has deferred their OAS pension.
The Government of Canada also confirms that people who delay OAS can receive a higher monthly pension once they begin receiving it.
What seniors should check before the October payment
The October increase does not require an application. It is part of the normal OAS indexation process.
Seniors should nevertheless check their individual benefit information if they want to know exactly what will be deposited. The Government of Canada provides OAS information and an OAS Benefits Estimator, while My Service Canada Account can be used to access personal benefit information.
It is also worth remembering that OAS is taxable income. Higher-income recipients may be subject to the OAS recovery tax, which can reduce the amount of OAS ultimately retained. The current federal OAS information lists the recovery-tax threshold for the 2026 recovery period at $93,454 of net world income based on 2025 income.
Our assessment
The October increase is modest on a monthly basis, but the mechanism behind it matters more than the headline dollar figure. OAS is reviewed four times a year, allowing the benefit to respond relatively quickly when consumer prices rise.
For seniors relying heavily on government benefits, even a small recurring increase can help offset higher household costs. At the same time, the 1.4% adjustment should not be presented as a universal $10 or $12 increase: individual OAS payments vary, and the calculated October maximums should not be treated as guaranteed payments.
The most useful figure for each recipient will therefore be the amount shown in their own Service Canada information once the new rates are reflected in their account.
Frequently asked questions
When does the OAS increase take effect?
The 1.4% adjustment applies to the October-to-December quarter. The first scheduled payment at the new rate is October 28.
How much is the maximum OAS after the October increase?
Based on the confirmed 1.4% adjustment and the current maximum rates, the calculated amounts are approximately $762.50 per month for ages 65 to 74 and $838.75 for ages 75 and over. The final official rounded rate table should be used when published.
Will GIS also increase?
Yes. The Government of Canada states that the quarterly adjustment applies to all OAS benefits, including GIS. The exact GIS amount depends on income and family circumstances.
Does the October OAS increase also increase CPP?
No. The October adjustment discussed here is for OAS benefits. CPP has a separate indexation system and payment schedule.
Do seniors need to apply for the increase?
No. The quarterly OAS adjustment is automatic for people already receiving eligible OAS benefits. Individual payment amounts can still vary according to eligibility and circumstances.
Official Sources
- Government of Canada — Old Age Security payment amounts — Official OAS payment amounts and October adjustment information
- Government of Canada — Old Age Security: How much you could receive — Official OAS benefit amounts and eligibility information
- Government of Canada — Old Age Security — Official OAS program information
- Government of Canada — Guaranteed Income Supplement — Official GIS information and payment amounts
- Government of Canada — Benefits payment dates — Official 2026 OAS payment calendar
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