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When Should I Start CPP and OAS?

See your CPP at every age from 60 to 70 and your OAS from 65 to 70, what you’d get in total by the age you plan for, and which starting age pays the most.

$

From your Statement of Contributions in My Service Canada Account. The average is $858, the most $1,508.

40 for a full OAS pension

The age you’d like it to last to

CPP from 65 and OAS from 65

$1,621 a month

$858 of CPP and $763 of OAS, in today’s dollars. OAS rises 10% at 75.

Total by 85
$398,152
CPP pays most from
Age 69
OAS pays most from
Age 69

What this means

CPP is 7.2% a year lower for each year you start before 65, down to 64% at 60, and 8.4% a year higher for each year after, up to 142% at 70. OAS is 7.2% a year higher for each year you defer it, up to 136% at 70.

Waiting pays off if you live long enough to make up for the years you didn’t collect, so it suits people in good health with other money to live on. OAS is clawed back at 15% of net income over $95,323 (2026 income), and low-income seniors may get the Guaranteed Income Supplement, which isn’t raised by deferring OAS.

Next step

CPP at each age

Start atA monthTotal by 85
60$549$164,802
61$611$176,008
62$673$185,731
63$735$193,971
64$797$200,728
65$858$206,002
66$930$212,140
67$1,003$216,549
68$1,075$219,227
69$1,147$220,174
70$1,219$219,391

OAS at each age

Start atA monthTotal by 85
65$763$192,150
66$817$196,176
67$872$198,884
68$927$200,275
69$982$200,348
70$1,037$199,104
CPP in total by 85, by starting age
$220,174$110,087$0
606163656769
CPP in total
Assumptions in this estimate
  • In today’s dollars: CPP and OAS rise with the cost of living whichever age you start. OAS uses the October to December 2026 amounts: $763 a month at 65 to 74 and $839 from 75.
  • A partial OAS pension is 1/40 of the full amount for each year in Canada after 18 (at least 10).
  • Your CPP at 65 depends on your contributions; the statement assumes you keep contributing until then. Stopping work earlier can lower it.
  • Tax, the OAS clawback, and survivor and Guaranteed Income Supplement payments aren’t included. Quebec has the QPP, with similar rules.
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How the calculator works

  1. CPP: your pension at 65, from your Statement of Contributions, 0.6% lower for each month you start before 65 and 0.7% higher for each month after, up to 70.
  2. OAS: the full pension for your years in Canada after 18, 0.6% higher for each month you defer past 65, up to 70, and 10% higher from 75.
  3. Totals: what you’d get from each starting age to the age you plan for, in today’s dollars, and which age pays the most.

Example

With the average CPP at 65 of $858 a month and a full OAS pension, planning to 85:

Start at CPP a month CPP by 85 OAS a month OAS by 85
60 $549 $164,802 – –
65 $858 $206,002 $763 $192,150
70 $1,219 $219,391 $1,037 $199,104

To 85, starting both at 69 pays slightly more than at 70. If you plan for 90, waiting until 70 pays the most for both.

Things to weigh

  • Your health: the longer you expect to live, the more waiting pays.
  • Other income: living on RRSP withdrawals while you wait can lower your taxes and the clawback later.
  • A spouse: a larger CPP also means a larger survivor’s pension.
  • GIS: if your income is low, the Guaranteed Income Supplement starts with OAS and can’t be deferred.

Learn more

See our CPP and EI explained guide, the RRSP vs TFSA calculator, and how much to save for retirement.

Last updated

Frequently asked questions

When should I take CPP?

It depends on your health, your other savings and how long you expect to live. CPP is 36% lower if you start at 60 and 42% higher if you wait until 70, for life. Waiting usually pays off if you live into your early 80s or beyond.

How much is CPP at 60, 65 and 70?

With the average CPP at 65 of $858.34 a month (July 2026), starting at 60 would pay about $549, and waiting until 70 about $1,219, in today’s dollars. The most anyone gets at 65 in 2026 is $1,507.65.

Can I defer OAS?

Yes, up to 70. Your OAS rises 0.6% for each month you defer, so 36% more at 70. Deferring makes less sense if you’d get the Guaranteed Income Supplement, which can’t be deferred, or if your income would be clawed back anyway.

How much is OAS?

From October to December 2026, the full OAS pension is $762.50 a month at 65 to 74 and $838.75 from 75. It rises each quarter with the cost of living. You need 40 years in Canada after 18 for the full amount, and at least 10 for a partial pension.

What is the OAS clawback?

If your net income is over $95,323 (2026 income), you repay 15% of the amount above it from your OAS, until the whole pension is gone. Deferring OAS or drawing down your RRSP earlier can help keep income under the threshold.