For many Canadian seniors, April 2026 is going to be an exciting month, and they’re practically counting down the days to April 1st, as this is the date the Canadian government’s Canada Pension Plan (CPP) and Old Age Security (OAS) payments come to the banks, and the feds send the monthly checks to the seniors in Canada as a form of “Old Age Security” to hit banks and become readily accessible. These payments come at the same time and are purposely given to help cover the spring season’s added living expenses. These payments also help cover the spring season’s living expenses, along with the added expenses due to inflation. These payments also help cover the spring season’s living expenses. Federal benefits are the only type of benefits that are given to their recipients periodically. Federal benefits are the only type of benefits that are given to their recipients periodically. These benefits are also the only type of benefits that adjust to inflation and allow recipients to maintain their purchasing power. In the previous month, Auxilliary Services added the OAS benefits to their records. The OAS benefits are also accessible by the end of the given month, and they are based on the current values of the Consumer Price Index (CPI). April also pays OAS payments. April also pays OAS payments.
What are the CPP and OAS eligibility requirements for 2026?
The eligibility rules are different for each program, although they often overlap. To qualify for the CPP retirement pension, you must be 60 years or older and have made at least one valid contribution while working in Canada. How much you get depends on how much you as well as the number of years you contributed. With respect to the OAS program, you have to be 65 years or older and, as of April 2026. OAS is also one of the categories of benefits that you can qualify for even when you have never had a job in Canada. OAS is often classified as a benefit with no contribution, since benefits are paid out of taxes. To qualify for OAS, you must have lived in Canada for at least 10 out of 18 of your adult years. Once you turn 60, you can start receiving CPP benefits, but you have to be 65 years to qualify for OAS. Because of this, you can only receive this payment if you are older than 65 years. You also have to be older than this to be able to receive CPP and OAS at the same time.
Payment Dates and Methods for April 2026
To ensure retirees can manage their budgets, Service Canada adheres to a monthly payment calendar. For April 2026, CPP and OAS payments will be deposited on Tuesday, April 28, 2026. For most recipients, direct deposit is the preferred payment method as banks typically process payments right after Service Canada makes the payment. Therefore, payments appear in customers’ accounts early on the payment date. Alternatively, if you receive payment via cheque, Service Canada will process Your payment by cheque 3 to 5 business days after the payment date due to payment processing times. For recipients of the Guaranteed Income Supplement (GIS), the payment will be combined with the OAS payment and direct deposited as a single payment.
2026 Maximum Monthly Benefits
As we enter the New Year, there are new maximums being set, especially in relation to the “CPP Enhancement” that commenced in 2019. This enhancement aims to replace a larger portion of a worker’s earnings on average over the course of their career. Also, recipients of the OAS who are 75 and above will continue to receive an additional 10% as the 10% increase in OAS payments is designed to support the increased healthcare and living costs associated with being 75 and older. The following chart shows the maximum amounts per month that new beneficiaries are eligible to receive as of early 2026.
| Benefit Type | Age Group | Maximum Monthly Amount (2026) |
|---|---|---|
| CPP Retirement Pension | Age 65 | $1,507.65 |
| Old Age Security (OAS) | Age 65–74 | $743.05 |
| Old Age Security (OAS) | Age 75+ | $817.36 |
| Guaranteed Income Supplement | Single | $1,108.74 |
Factors Affecting Your Individual Payment
With barely any Canadians receiving the maximum potential payment from both plans, it is important to note the maximum potential payment figure as it is a guiding benchmark. Your personal CPP payment also depends on your particular earnings history. Additionally, it also depends on what age you chose to start your pension. Starting early, at age 60, means a reduction of 0.6% per month. If you wait, delaying it until age 70 means you get to increase the check by 42%. This is the same case for OAS. Your OAS amount is also determined by the amount of years you have lived in Canada. If you resided in Canada for 40 years or over, you get to live in Canada for 40 years or over, you get to receive the full amount. If you didn’t, you get a reduced amount. Also, the “OAS Recovery Tax”, or clawback, is important for seniors with a high income. If your total income is over a certain number, the clawback may lower your total benefit.
Developing a Retirement Income Plan
Beginning your retirement planning must include a detailed understanding of the federal benefits system. Logging into your My Service Canada Account (MSCA) and checking to see if your information is current around April (OAS benefits are adjusted quarterly) gives you the opportunity to see how much your OAS benefits will be, and how they will integrate with any government and retirement savings plans (RRSPs, TFSAs, employer sponsored pensions) you may have. If you have plans within the next few years to retire from your job, it is important to leave an application for OAS, the earlier the better, (ideally a few months or more) so that there is no interruption to the pension and benefits you are receiving. Knowing how the CPP and OAS benefits fit together will help you to have a more confident retirement.
FAQs
Q1 Is it possible to receive both the CPP and OAS benefits?
Yes, once you turn 65 and if you have met the residency and contribution criteria, you can receive both benefits.
Q2 What can I do if my deposit is not in my account on April 28?
People with cheques in the mail will not be able to claim a payment that appears to be missing until after the first week of May. If you have direct deposit, you should wait at least 2 business days after the payment was due before you try to contact Service Canada.
Q3 Will my OAS go up automatically when I turn 75?
Yes, the 10% permanent increase for seniors aged 75 and older is applied automatically. You will see this change in your first payment the month after your 75th birthday.
