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Since July 2013, most eligible seniors are automatically enrolled to receive OAS starting at age 65. The government determines your eligibility the month after you turn 64. If eligible, you will be notified of your automatic enrolment beginning at age 65.

In some cases, Service Canada will be able to automatically enroll you for the OAS pension. In other cases, you will have to apply for the Old Age Security pension. Service Canada will inform you if you have been automatically enrolled. In most cases, you do not have to apply to get this benefit.

Your OAS pension can start as early as the month following your 65th birthday or the month after you meet the minimum residence and legal status requirements. You can choose to delay receiving your OAS pension payment up to the age of 70. By doing this, you increase the amount of your benefit.

OAS pension amounts are determined by how long you've lived in Canada after turning 18. You're entitled to a full pension if you've lived in Canada for at least 40 years. If you haven't, you can still get a partial OAS pension which is 1/40th of the full OAS pension for every year you've resided in Canada since age 18.

If eligible, your OAS pension can start as early as the month following your 65th birthday. You can choose to delay receiving your OAS pension up to age 70, which may increase your monthly amount by 0.6 percent for every month you delay (7.2 percent per year).

If you are applying online, you'll need a My Service Canada Account (MSCA). If you don't have a My Service Canada Account (MSCA), you can register for one. You'll receive a personal access code to complete your registration.

The earliest you can apply is 11 months before the date you want your OAS pension to start. See the Reference Guide for more information about choosing your OAS pension start date. B2 If you live in Canada, complete question 1 below; if you live outside Canada, complete question 2.