By the Numbers: Old Age Security Benefits in Canada for 2013

Ottawa – February 10, 2013

Old Age Security – The Old Age Security pension is a monthly benefit available, if applied for, to most Canadians 65 years of age or over. An applicant's employment history is not a factor in determining eligibility, nor does the applicant need to be retired. Old Age Security pensioners pay federal and provincial income tax. Higher income pensioners also repay part or all of their benefit through the tax system. Click here for more information about Old Age Security.

Guaranteed Income Supplement– The Guaranteed Income Supplement is a monthly benefit paid to eligible residents of Canada who receive a basic, full or partial Old Age Security pension and who have little or no other income. Unlike the basic Old Age Security pension, the Guaranteed Income Supplement is not subject to income tax. Click here for more information about the Guaranteed Income Supplement.

Allowances– The Allowance, which also includes an allowance for persons whose spouse or common-law partner has died, is paid monthly. It is designed to recognize the difficult circumstances faced by many survivors and by couples living on the pension of only one person.

The Spouse’s Allowance provides money for low-income seniors who meet the following conditions:

• your spouse or common-law partner (same sex or opposite sex) receives or is entitled to receive the Old Age Security pension and the Guaranteed Income Supplement;
• you are 60 to 64 years of age;
• you are a Canadian citizen or a legal resident at the time your Allowance is approved or when you last lived in Canada; and
• you have lived in Canada for at least 10 years after turning 18

Click here for more information about the Spouse’s Allowance.                

The Widowed Spouse’s Allowance provides money for low-income seniors who meet the following conditions:

• you are 60 to 64 years of age;
• you are a Canadian citizen or a legal resident at the time your Allowance for the Survivor is approved or when you last lived in Canada;
• your annual income is below the prescribed limit (refer to the following tables);
• your spouse or common-law partner has died and you have not remarried or entered into a common-law partnership exceeding 12 months since then; and
• you have lived in Canada for at least 10 years after turning 18.   

Click here for more information about the Widowed Spouse’s Allowance.